Aegean Airlines isn’t always the first name that comes to mind for European business class, but with a solid reputation for service and catering, it’s worth a closer look. On a recent short-haul hop, I finally managed to use one of my long-neglected upgrade vouchers and found myself in Aegean Airlines A320 Business Class. Was it a game-changer or just an economy seat sold for a higher price? Here’s what to expect – and whether it’s worth aiming for that elusive upgrade.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: A3980
From/To: Athens (ATH) to Sofia (SOF)
Departure time: 09:10
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 55 mins
Frequent Flyer Points: 1200
Status Points: 1000
Aircraft: SX-DVM
Aircraft type: Airbus A320-200
Number of classes: 2
Number of seats in flying class: 12
Seat: 1F
Position: right hand side of the aircraft at the front
Airport Experience
I’d already checked-in online, and had no luggage to drop, so I proceeded directly through security. Fast-track security at Athens Airport felt more like “fast-ish track.” The queue was almost as long as the regular line, though with three scanners running, things moved steadily – except for one older couple left to struggle with the conveyor while the supervisor watched on, entirely unbothered.
The Aegean lounge was a different kind of chaos. It was heaving, with barely a free seat, people bumping into each other, and tables crying out for a clean-up. The buffet was being replenished regularly, but at one point, they ran out of plates – because that’s how busy it was. Still, Athens Airport is a relatively painless one to transit, with short walking distances and minimal fuss between check-in and the gate.
Boarding & Welcome
Boarding from B30 meant heading downstairs to a bus gate, always a hit-or-miss affair. The bus filled quickly and, after a short drive, pulled up to the 16 year old Aegean Airlines A320 aircraft on the far side of the tarmac.
I originally took my seat in 5C, in the second row of economy, and noticed it actually had more legroom than the A320neo. But then, something unexpected happened – a crew member came over, iPad in hand, and told me my upgrade request had been approved. I’d completely forgotten I’d even put in for one! After multiple failed attempts on the London to Athens route, I’d almost given up on ever using one of my Aegean upgrade vouchers. But here we were – finally, success!
Seat
I moved up to 1F, front row on the right side of the cabin, with two windows – always a win for a short hop. Overhead storage was already full when I boarded, but that’s on me for being last into the cabin. The seat beside me remained empty for the entire flight, which is the closest thing to luxury you’ll get on a narrow-body business class.
As you’ll see from the pictures, the seat looked like it wasn’t far away from needing to be replaced or reupholstered. It was, however, comfortable for the duration of the short flight.
I wasn’t entirely alone for the journey, although whatever was trapped between the outer window glass and inner plastic cover had long expired.
There we no mains or USB power sockets around the seat.
As it was a bulkhead seat, the tray table folded out from the armrest.
What is the best seat on Aegean A320 Business Class?
For a short flight like Athens to Sofia, 1F was a great pick – first row to be served, a solid window view, and easy access to the aisle. If the flight had been longer, though, I’d have probably gone for 2A or 2F, just to get a bit more room to stretch my legs without the bulkhead in front.
See the seating plan on SeatGuru.
Onboard Experience
The cabin crew were as warm and welcoming as you’d expect from Aegean. There’s something about their service that always feels genuine, and this flight was no exception.
I was offered a welcome drink soon as I settled into my upgraded seat. A menu card followed soon after.
Like all A320s, there was one washroom at the front for business class passengers and then a further 2 washrooms at the rear for the rest of the 170 passengers.
Food & Drink
The meal service kicked off the moment the seatbelt sign was switched off.
The tray setup was well put together, complete with a linen napkin, a wet wipe, and even a toothpick -attention to detail matters! The meal itself was a mixed bag. The cold cuts – thick ham and halloumi – were a bit tough, likely straight from the fridge. A fresh fruit plate came with a slice of slightly bitter, feta-like cheese, which worked well to balance the sweetness. The rest of the breakfast spread included yogurt with honey, bread, and a croissant, plus a little Navarino strawberry jam pot and butter.
Drinks-wise, I went for tea (UHT milk, obviously) and a glass of pure orange juice.
A selection of dark and milk chocolates came around at the end of the meal, and the beverage service continued right up until descent into Sofia.
While a bit early in the day for me, I was impressed by the range of drinks available on such a short flight.
In-flight Entertainment
Entertainment? Unsurprisingly, there wasn’t any. No WiFi or at-seat power was a little more surprising, but the plane was 16 years old. If you’re flying on one of Aegean’s newer aircraft, you might get lucky with some streaming content, but this wasn’t one of those. Definitely a flight where bringing your own entertainment is a must.
BG1 Verdict
The Aegean Airlines A320 Business Class hard product is showing its age, missing modern conveniences like in-seat power and entertainment. But where it lacks in tech, it makes up for in service. The crew were excellent – friendly, efficient, and genuinely warm.
Food quality was middle-of-the-road, but the quantity and presentation were impressive for such a short European sector. Overall, a solid option for regional business class, especially if you manage to bag a discount fare or a complimentary upgrade like I did.
BG1 Tip
Aegean frequently boards from remote stands, meaning a short but often crowded bus ride to the aircraft. The buses are filled to capacity before they leave the gate, with the exception of the final bus. If you prefer a swift boarding process, board last to avoid waiting in a packed, warm bus.
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