For our journey to Greece, we flew LOT Polish Airways’ Boeing 787-9 enterprise class from Chicago to Warsaw, after which related to Aegean Airways’ Airbus A320neo enterprise class from Warsaw to Athens, so I wished to evaluation that second flight on this installment.
Whereas intra-Europe flying isn’t one thing to get enthusiastic about when it comes to passenger expertise, Aegean might be my favourite regional European airline. The airline presents an elevated tender product in enterprise class, and even presents free meals in economic system.
Aside from Turkish Airways, Aegean might be my favourite airline to fly inside Europe. I used to be notably trying ahead to this flight, because it was operated by one among Aegean’s model new Airbus A320neos. The Star Alliance provider is presently within the technique of refreshing its fleet, changing A320s and A321s with A320neos and A321neos (that are extra gas environment friendly and quieter).
How I booked our Aegean enterprise class tickets
I booked us the next itinerary in enterprise class for 70,000 Air Canada Aeroplan factors plus $76.70 in taxes and charges per individual:
8/28 LO4 Chicago to Warsaw departing 9:45PM arriving 1:50PM (+1 day)
8/30 A3871 Warsaw to Athens departing 10:35AM arriving 2:05PM
Admittedly there are rather more artistic awards you’ll be able to e-book with Aeroplan factors, however this was nonetheless an excellent worth. Aeroplan factors are straightforward to return by, as this system is switch companions with Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, and Chase Final Rewards. On high of that, there’s the Aeroplan® Credit score Card (evaluation) in the USA, which is sort of rewarding.
Aegean enterprise class lounge & boarding
We arrived at Warsaw Chopin Airport at round 8:30AM, round two hours earlier than our 10:35AM flight to Athens. We had already checked in on-line, so may head straight for safety.
Warsaw Airport has a devoted premium safety checkpoint that’s separate from the usual safety space, which is superior, so we have been by means of in a matter of minutes.
Aegean Airways passengers are despatched to the LOT Enterprise Class Polonez Lounge, so we spent about an hour there.
Whereas I’d have preferred to evaluation it, the lounge apparently has a no images coverage, so between that and the crowding, I couldn’t actually evaluation it. The lounge was completely okay, but it surely’s not value arriving early to make use of.
We headed to our departure gate (gate 25) at round 9:30AM, simply as our inbound plane was touchdown.
Our flight could be operated by SX-NEK, an plane that had simply been delivered to Aegean in March 2023. I fairly like Aegean’s livery — it’s not essentially the most thrilling one on earth, but it surely’s fashionable.
The gate space was pure chaos, because the contract brokers have been for no matter motive weighing and sizing each single passenger’s carry-on bag. It was simply so unusual, as a result of with each different individual or so that they’d get into an argument, and finally they’d simply allow them to maintain the bag. Like, what’s the purpose, and as contract brokers, why do they really care? It’s not like European airways usually run out of overhead bin area.
Anyway, whereas boarding was scheduled to begin at 10:05AM (half-hour earlier than departure), it ended up beginning at 10:15AM, with enterprise class passengers being invited to board first.
Aegean A320neo enterprise class cabin & seats
On the door we have been greeted by the pleasant cabin senior. Aegean’s A320neos function 180 seats, unfold throughout 30 rows in a 3-3 configuration. I’ve gotta say, Aegean’s colourful headrests positive do give the cabin a little bit of character, particularly in distinction to Lufthansa’s very grey slender physique interiors, for instance.
As is customary on intra-Europe flights, enterprise class merely consisted of economic system seats with blocked middles. Meaning the scale of the enterprise class cabin will be adjusted with every flight based mostly on demand. On this flight, enterprise class had three rows, so the capability was 12 passengers.
I had assigned us seats 3D & 3F, the window and aisle seat within the third row on the fitting facet.
I appreciated how enterprise class had a tray on the middle seat. This is usually a great spot to place a drink or one thing else with out utilizing your personal tray desk. Again within the day nearly all airways had these trays on intra-Europe flights, whereas I believe many airways have now gotten lazy, and now not supply that.
As you’d anticipate for an intra-Europe flight, legroom wasn’t nice, although I’ve additionally had worse. No less than when you may have an empty center seat, you’ll be able to kind of place your legs towards that seat.
The seat had a few new options, at the least for Aegean.
For one, Aegean has lastly launched energy retailers, which the airline doesn’t have on earlier era jets. Sadly the airline simply selected to put in USB-A retailers. I want Aegean supplied AC energy retailers or USB-C retailers, that are rapidly turning into the norm. This appears short-sighted to me.
Aegean additionally has private leisure gadget holders, that are higher than nothing, because it’s not like every provider apart from Turkish has seat again leisure on flights like this.
The tray desk folded out from the seat in entrance, and was completely customary.
Every seat additionally had a coat hook, when you wished to hold a jacket.
The overhead console was fashionable, and had each studying lights and particular person air nozzles.
All-in-all, this was a fairly customary however modern-feeling slender physique cabin for a jet in Europe.
Aegean enterprise class facilities
So far as facilities go, Aegean presents every passenger (together with in economic system) a tender chew sweet as they board the aircraft, which is a cute contact.
Upon boarding, every enterprise class passenger was additionally supplied a pre-departure drink in correct glassware, with the selection of water, orange juice, or glowing wine. A overwhelming majority of European airways don’t supply pre-departure drinks on these sorts of flights, in order that’s one other method Aegean differentiates itself.
We have been additionally given menus for the flight — once more, that’s one thing that not many airways supply inside Europe.
Pillows and blankets are additionally obtainable on demand, so I requested these.
Aegean A320neo enterprise class leisure & Wi-Fi
Aegean presents Wi-Fi on its A320neo and A321neo plane (however not on its customary A320 and A321 plane), obtainable after takeoff. So far as pricing goes, all passengers can get 10 minutes of free Wi-Fi, after which a texting and browsing plan with low speeds prices €4, whereas a streaming plan prices €9. I’d say that pricing is sweet, given the shortage of knowledge caps.
Aegean additionally presents complimentary Wi-Fi to its enterprise class passengers and Aegean Miles+Bonus Gold members. You’ll be able to join both by logging into your Miles+Bonus account, or by coming into your PNR and final title.
I discovered the Wi-Fi speeds to be excellent, so it’s all the time good to remain related above the clouds.
Along with Wi-Fi, Aegean additionally has a small choice of complimentary streaming motion pictures and TV exhibits, which is healthier than nothing.
Aegean A320neo departure from Warsaw
The flight to Warsaw was almost full, in each economic system and enterprise. Boarding was accomplished by 10:35AM, about 20 minutes after it began. At 10:40AM the captain made his welcome aboard announcement, informing us of our flight time of 2hr30min. A couple of moments later, a handbook security demonstration was carried out.
At 10:50AM we started our taxi. Sadly I couldn’t actually get good photos out the window throughout our taxi, on condition that it was pouring exterior, so my digital camera wouldn’t focus exterior the window.
We had a really quick taxi, and at 10:55AM have been cleared for takeoff from runway 29.
We had a little bit of turbulence on the preliminary climb out, however the journey smoothed out above the clouds.
10 minutes after takeoff the seatbelt signal was turned off, at which level the crew closed the curtain between the galley and the cabin.
Aegean enterprise class meal service
Shortly after takeoff, the meal service started. You’ll find the breakfast menu under.
Then you could find the drink checklist under.
I discovered it shocking that breakfast was served after takeoff, with a scheduled 10:35AM departure. You’d suppose that lunch could be extra acceptable, however that didn’t hassle me one bit, as I like Greek breakfasts.
About 25 minutes after takeoff, the senior cabin crew got here by means of the cabin with a trolley containing the meals and drinks. I ordered the omelet in tomato sauce with pink peppers, olives, and crumbled feta cheese, which was completely scrumptious, among the best egg dishes I’ve had on a aircraft. Yum. That was served with a facet of fruit and cheese, a greek yogurt with honey, and a croissant.
Ford had the opposite possibility, which was a zucchini tart with smoked cheese, basil, and prosciutto.
Whereas I simply had a water to drink with the meal, after breakfast I ordered a cappuccino. I like how Aegean has espresso-based drinks, because it’s uncommon you’ll discover that in intra-Europe enterprise class.
Afterward within the flight I additionally had an espresso, which was tasty.
Whereas I didn’t have any wine on this flight, it’s additionally value calling out Aegean’s spectacular regional choice of wines.
The flight attendant working enterprise class was pleasant, and continually checked on passengers to see in the event that they wished something.
Aegean A320neo enterprise class bathroom
There was a rest room situated on the entrance of enterprise class, reserved solely for enterprise class passengers. The bathroom was clear, however in any other case fairly no frills, as there have been no particular toiletries or facilities.
Aegean A320neo arrival in Athens
At 2PM Athens time (there was a one hour time change), the captain introduced that we had began our descent, and could be touchdown in round 20 minutes. About 5 minutes later the crew ready the cabin for touchdown.
Greece is among the most stunning nations on the planet, and you may’t assist however simply stare out the window through the method, as a result of it’s so beautiful.
We ended up touching down at Athens Airport at 2:30PM.
We had a few 5 minute taxi to our arrival stand, which was a distant gate on this case. That meant we had a fantastic view of the plane upon deplaning.
Whereas I’d often dread a distant stand, it labored out effectively on this case. Aegean has a separate bus for enterprise class passengers, so we have been on our method nearly instantly, and have been dropped off in a fairly central a part of the terminal.
Backside line
Aegean presents among the best enterprise class merchandise in Europe. Whereas the exhausting product is fairly customary (there’s not a lot variation there amongst airways), Aegean actually tries with the whole lot else. Aegean presents pre-departure drinks, menus, a pleasant wine choice, espresso-based drinks, tasty meals, and free Wi-Fi.
My solely actual frustration with Aegean’s new cabins is that the airline selected to solely set up USB-A retailers, which isn’t perfect.
After Turkish Airways, I believe Aegean presents my favourite intra-Europe enterprise class expertise (and folks like to argue whether or not Turkish Airways flights qualify as intra-Europe, so…).
What do you make of Aegean Airways enterprise class?