Flying with Aegean A320 Business Class, I expected the usual frugal European business class setup but came away pleasantly surprised by a few aspects that went beyond the basics. From lounge access to a full meal service, this review takes a straightforward look at the experience, highlighting both the positives and the limitations. If you’re weighing up an upgrade with Aegean or simply want to know what’s on offer, read on for an honest account of what you can expect.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: A3608
From/To: Athens (ATH) to London (LHR)
Departure time: 19:15
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 3 hours 21 mins
Frequent Flyer Points: 1,794
Status Points: 1,495
Aircraft: SX-NEQ
Aircraft type: Airbus A320neo
Number of classes: 2
Number of seats in flying class: 24
Seat: 2A
Position: left hand side of the aircraft, 2 rows from the front
Airport Experience
Arriving on a connecting flight into Athens’ B gates, I needed to exit to landside and transfer to the A gates, where non-Schengen and international departures are handled. The transfer process involved passing through a relatively busy fast-track security lane. While fast track is often a convenient option, I noticed that the non-fast track lines moved more swiftly due to having more available machines. In hindsight, I would reconsider using fast track during busier times.
Before heading to the gate, I took the opportunity to visit Aegean’s brand new flagship lounge located on the top floor of the international terminal. It proved to be a very quiet and spacious place to wait before the flight, with a variety of amenities on offer. Learn more about that experience in the dedicated Aegean Extra Schengen Lounge (A Gates) lounge review.
Boarding & Welcome
With the gate status showing open, I descended from the lounge to gate A12. Upon arrival, the atmosphere was calm, with most passengers seated and no queue in sight. The gate area was very basic, with very little seating. There was a small Starbucks kiosk tucked into one of the corners.
The gate staff soon announced that the flight was overbooked and sought volunteers willing to give up their seats in exchange for several incentives, including a comfort seat on the next flight, €400 EC compensation, a voucher for a free Aegean flight, and overnight hotel accommodation. Surprisingly, a line of eager volunteers quickly formed.
Boarding began around ten minutes later, with the boarding groups strictly enforced. Business Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members in groups 1 and 2 were called first. At the aircraft door, a crew member in Aegean’s signature blue uniform welcomed passengers with a basket of mints. Shortly after settling into my seat, a welcome drink of orange juice or water was offered, and menus were distributed once boarding was complete.
Seat
My seat on the Aegean A320 Business Class was in the second row, on the left side of the aisle. For this four-hour journey, I preferred the aisle seat to avoid having to climb over my neighbour to reach the washrooms.
The seat itself was a standard short-haul configuration found across European carriers, with the middle seat blocked to provide extra space, a small table replacing the centre seat, and an Aegean-branded cover on the headrest. I found approximately 15 cm (6-7 inches) of additional legroom compared to Economy, which was enough for me to stretch out, but might still frustrate taller passengers.
The overhead lockers had ample space, and there was room under the middle seat ahead for stowing smaller items. The aisle armrest could be raised by pressing a release clip on the underside, making access in and out of the seat easier.
What is the best seat on Aegean A320 Business Class?
Given the flight’s duration, I would steer clear of the bulkhead seats in row 1, as they offer less space to stretch out. Row 2, where I sat, struck a good balance between comfort and prompt service. That said, my experience was somewhat marred by the disruptive behaviour of the passengers in seats 1A and 1C directly in front of me. Their loud demands for WiFi and disregard for seat etiquette – reclining into my knees without so much as a glance – made the prospect of swapping extra legroom for a quieter cabin all the more appealing.
See the seating plan on SeatGuru.
Onboard Experience
Despite the overbooking issues at the gate, we managed to push back and begin our taxi only about 20 minutes behind schedule. The Aegean A320 Business Class cabin comprised six rows of four seats each, accommodating a full load of 24 passengers. There was a single washroom located at the front, which was reasonably clean throughout the flight.
Food & Drink
Approximately 45 minutes after departure, the crew commenced the meal service from a trolley. There was a choice of chicken or sea bass, and I opted for the chicken.
The meal was served on a tray and included an orange, cream cheese, beetroot, and carrot salad, two types of bread rolls, a jar of olive paste, olive oil, a selection of two cheeses, and crackers. While the chicken dish was more of a stew than the menu description had suggested, it was flavourful enough.
The trays were cleared promptly, followed by a separate dessert service featuring a sweet torte made from semolina. A full drinks menu was on offer, with choices ranging from beers to two varieties each of red and white wines, as well as the usual assortment of soft drinks. I enjoyed a Greek Chardonnay with my meal and a Macedonian red blend alongside the dessert.
A sparkling wine was also quietly listed among the spirits. Both still and sparkling water were available throughout. The service was efficient, though passengers in the last row of the cabin had to wait longer for their meals and drinks.
In-flight Entertainment
The entertainment was accessible through the onboard WiFi, though the experience was disappointing. Frequent disconnections from the media server interrupted streaming, and any paused content could not resume after announcements.
Free internet access was provided for Miles+Bonus members, but it took about 90 minutes for the WiFi to become usable, and even then, the connection remained unstable. From roughly two hours into the flight until landing, the service was effectively unusable—a poor showing for Aegean A320 Business Class. I also encountered a bug that prevented access to locally streamed content once connected to the Internet.
BG1 Verdict
Overall, Aegean A320 Business Class delivered a solid experience, with efficient and friendly cabin service complemented by a hot meal that exceeded the typical short-haul standards. The attentive crew and thoughtful touches made for a pleasant journey. However, the inflight WiFi and entertainment system fell short, with frequent disconnections rendering it quite unusable. With a bit more reliability in this area, Aegean’s Business Class would offer an even more seamless journey.
BG1 Tip
Avoid the bulkhead seats in row 1, as they lack legroom to fully stretch out. Opting for row 2 or beyond will provide more space, quick access to meal service, and the bonus of extra storage under the unused middle seat.
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