Airlines in Europe have quite similar portfolios. There are not many differences between low-cost and traditional airlines. Luckily, there are a few positive exceptions. One of them is Aegean Airlines!
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Aegean Airlines - A Flying Greek
Aegean Airlines is the biggest airline in Greece. It is a part of Star Alliance which is one of the most well-known airline alliances. Aegean Airlines has hubs at Athens, Larnaca and Macedonia Airport. The airline serves mainly passengers travelling to/from Greece but buying tickets with only a connection in Greece is also possible.
Aegean Airlines was founded in 1987 and it has an excellent safety record. The fleet consists only of short-haul aircraft so Aegean Airlines does not fly any long-distance routes. Because the airline is based in southern Europe it is not the first choice for people travelling in central or northern Europe.
Travel Classes
Aegean Airlines has two travel classes: Economy and Business.
Economy class passengers have normal seats in the rear or middle of the cabin. Unlike, many other European airlines, there is complimentary onboard service also in the Economy class.
Business class is the best option to fly on Aegean Airlines. The adjacent seat will be free, better meals will be served and there are extra services at the airport like priority security and a complimentary lounge visit. Otherwise, the seat on the plane is just an ordinary seat.
Fleet
Aegean Airlines flies only with Airbus A32X fleet. The fleet is relatively modern and more aircraft have been ordered. The capacity of a single aircraft varies from 144 to 220 passengers.
Route Network
Aegean Airlines has a wide route network in Europe and the Middle East. The airline flies almost to all big European capitals but some of the routes are seasonal. For example, a few routes from Athens to northern Europe are flown only from spring to autumn.
Our Aegean Airlines Experiences
We flew with Aegean Airlines from Barcelona to Helsinki via Athens. It was our first time on Aegean's flight and we were positively surprised. Despite our very affordable tickets, boarding Aegean Airlines for the very first time exceeded our expectations.
Reasons to Choose Aegean Airlines
Based on our experiences, we list 5 reasons why to fly with Aegean Airlines.
Better Onboard Services
Aegean Airlines does not ask for money for every service provided onboard. Before the pandemic, a passenger used to get a warm meal and free drinks even during short international flights. These meals were tasty Greek food. In addition to the warm meals, the airline served also delicious desserts. However, during the pandemic, only snacks, sweets and water have been provided. We wish Aegean Airlines to return to the state before the pandemic.
Aegean Airlines is also bringing Wi-Fi to its fleet. The Wi-Fi does not provide only an internet connection but also onboard entertainment.
In Europe, there is another airline that has a chance to beat Aegean Airlines with even better onboard services. Also, Turkish Airlines provides excellent onboard services.
Friendly Crew
On our flights, the crew appeared to be happy and friendly. They were rendering their services passionately. The services on board were catered by an enthusiastic and professional crew. We could say this is closely related for the reason that people in southern Europe possess a cheerful attitude. We felt Aegean Airlines' customer service was great!
Stopover at Athens
It is easy to book Aegean Airlines flights so that you have a one-night stopover in Athens. The stopover does not increase the flight price so basically, you get it free.
Greece is an inexpensive country so you will easily find a moderate-priced hotel for your one-night stopover. The Athens airport is connected to the city centre by a metro line so visiting Athens for one evening is easy and handy.
Flight Deals
The normal rates of Aegean Airlines do not differ much from other airlines. Aegean airlines are not always the cheapest option but the prices are competitive.
Luckily, Aegean Airlines has often great deals. Travellers should follow marketing and finding an affordable deal is more than probable. Even though connecting flights at Athens Airport may take a little more time, the great onboard service pays it back!
How to Find Inexpensive Flights?
Follow our simple checklist to find a good deal:
- Compare flight prices on Skyscanner on different dates.
- Choose the most suitable schedule and price.
- Decide whether to book directly from the airline or via an Online Travel Agency (OTA)
- Let Skyscanner to forward you to the chosen booking site.
- Go through the booking process and avoid buying unnecessary extras.
- Double check all the details CAREFULLY before the payment.
Miles Program
Aegean Airlines is a part of Star Alliance. The airline has a frequent flyer program called Miles+Bonus.
Aegean Airlines' bonus program has often been rated good but you can freely choose which Star Alliance program you collect miles. A passenger can just choose the program that suits them best.
Rating
We rate Aegean Airlines as a 4.5 airline. The airline still provides free onboard services even in Economy class. The fleet is moderately new and entertainment is provided. Aegean Airlines is well-known for its friendly crew.
Common Questions
- Does Aegean Airlines serve complimentary meals?
- Yes, it does, even in the economy class.
- What is the luggage allowance of Aegean Airlines?
- A passenger can take cabin luggage max of 8 kg onboard. Not all ticket classes include free-hold luggage. Its maximum weight is 23 kg without supplementary fees.
- Is there Wi-Fi onboard Aegean Airlines?
- Aegean Airlines is slowly bringing Wi-Fi to its aircraft.
- Is there entertainment onboard Aegean Airlines?
- The entertainment system can be used via Wi-Fi.
- Where to buy tickets for Aegean Airlines flights?
- We recommend comparing ticket prices on Skycanner. It has a wide database of flight routes.
- Does Aegean Airlines have long-haul routes?
- No, it does not.
- Does Aegean Airlines offer a stopover option?
- It is easy to book flights with a long connection time in Athens.
- What kind of fleet does Aegean Airlines use?
- Aegean Airlines flies only with a narrow-body Airbus A320 fleet.
Bottom Line
If you are planning to travel around southern Europe we recommend choosing Aegean Airlines. The airline may also be a suitable option while travelling from northern Europe to the south as Athens is a practical connection point. If we lived in southern Europe, Aegean Airlines would be our favourite airline.
Have you flown with Aegean Airlines? Write below your Aegean Airlines experiences!
About the Author
Niko is one of the founding members of Finnoy Travel. He does not only handle the technical operations of the Finnoy Travel, but also generates content, both independently and in collaboration with others. His content primarily focuses on reviewing travel services, providing information about Finland, and sharing useful travel tips.
Niko's passion for aviation complements his vast global travel experience. When crafting articles, he devotes substantial amounts of time to thorough research on his subjects. His pieces are not only enlightening but also encompass his individual experiences.
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Comments (9)
Aegean flies OK, but, they never respond to customer emails. Their specials does not carry over to regular price reservations made even a day before. Crappie shoot on prices when one books.
I am a big fan of Aegean and once you are in the air they are the best European airline. But Aegean have effectively denied me lounge access at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. The Lufthansa Lounge is at the far end of Corridor B and Aegean usually departs from the far end of Corridor A. It is around 1km from Lounge to departure gate !!
I will give you ONE good reason NOT to fly with Aegean. They delayed our luggages delivery for 22days and they want to refund us with only 1200 euros. While for business class tickets, we were eligible for 1600 euro / luggage (4 luggages in total) and additionally the costs for our necessary expenses (60 euro per day per person - we were 3 persons)..better book with an another company!
For my bad luck my baggage was lost in my trip on 27 dec. 2022 and till now I have no feedback from Aegean air line!
Sadly Aegean has changed from one of the best airlines to a total scam. Lack of customer support, very expensive tickets and an overall feeling that no one cares about customer excellence as used to be. Our luggage was delivered totally destroyed during our trip in September 2022. Three months later and after several dozens of emails, calls and reminders and no response to our request for a replacement. Despite submitting all evidence, files and photos in the first place we don't have any kind of reply or feedback on our incident request. These practices remind state-owned airlines which of course are out of the market. If you are lucky enough you'll not need any customer support!!