Flying for work doesn’t always mean you need to compromise on comfort, and Aegean’s A321neo business class has a reputation for making even a three-hour hop feel a little more refined. On this flight from London to Athens, I wanted to see whether that reputation still held up, especially as the price and flight times fitted perfectly between other, less convenient options.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: A3601
From/To: London (LHR) to Athens (ATH)
Departure time: 12:15
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 3 hours 40 mins
Frequent Flyer Points: 1,794
Status Points: 1,794
Aircraft: SX-NAJ
Aircraft type: Airbus A321neo
Number of classes: 2
Number of seats in flying class: 28
Seat: 3C
Position: Aisle – 3 rows from the front
Airport Experience
Although I’d already checked-in using the Aegean iOS app, I took a stroll past the 2 dedicated check-in desks to find them staffed, but very quiet. I then used the fast track privilege marked on my boarding pass to use the Star Alliance Gold Fast Track security lane.
Departing from Heathrow Terminal 2, I had the choice between several star alliance lounges in the B gates and the Lufthansa Lounge nearer to my departure gate in A. Since the aircraft was parked at an A gate and I didn’t fancy the long walk to and from the B concourse, the Lufthansa option won. It turned out to be a wise decision – relatively quiet, and close enough to the gate that I didn’t need to watch the clock too closely.
Boarding & Welcome
Boarding from Gate A25 began late and descended into a scrum of passengers blocking the gate lanes when their group wasn’t being called. Once on board, the cabin felt uncomfortably warm, though the crew managed to keep everything flowing efficiency, including managing bags overhead. During a pause in the boarding flow, they squeezed down the aisle to offer pre-departure drinks – orange juice, water, or sparkling wine. Once boarding was complete, dining menus were handed out.
Seat
The Aegean A321neo business class cabin features the familiar European configuration – three seats on each side, with the middle blocked off for extra space. There were 7 rows of business class, making 28 seats in total. My aisle seat in row 3 had plenty of legroom and a decent recline. The Recaro seats are comfortable enough for the three-hour hop, with leather upholstery and adjustable headrests.
Storage space was good too: the overhead lockers swallowed my carry-on easily, and there was space under the middle seat ahead for smaller bags. The tray table was solid, though the recessed cup holder would later prove its flaws. For short and mid-haul routes, the cabin finds a nice balance between comfort and practicality.
Which is the best seat on Aegean A321neo Business Class?
Row 2 is arguably the best pick. You’ll be close enough to the galley for quick service but far enough away to avoid the noise and foot traffic. It also offers slightly better legroom, thanks to the spacing between the bulkhead and the next row.
See the seating plan on AeroLOPA.
Onboard Experience
Despite being one of Aegean’s newer aircraft, the cabin on SX-NAJ looked a bit weary. A few scuffs and scratches on the side panels – and carpet stains – betrayed the aircraft’s hard-working schedule between major European hubs. Still, the crew made up for it with warmth and professionalism.
Boarding delays didn’t prevent an on-time pushback, and the flight settled into a smooth cruise over central Europe. The single forward toilet was clean and tidy, but equipped no differently from those further back. With 28 passengers in the cabin, it was usually occupied, but no queue formed. Overall, it was a comfortable and calm flight.
Food & Drink
The menu featured two white and two red wines – all Greek, naturally. For mains, the choices were beef ragu with gnocchi or fried orange chicken with celeriac purée. I opted for the ragu, which arrived attractively presented with courgette and parmesan shavings. It paired nicely with a glass of Milea Syrah-Merlot, which the crew poured generously. Dessert was a dense chocolate torte, followed by the offer of a “proper coffee”, which I happily accepted.
Unfortunately, my cappuccino didn’t survive long. The tray table’s recessed cup holder was hidden beneath the tablecloth, and when the crew member set the cup down, it tipped over instantly. Most of it landed on the floor rather than my lap – a lucky escape – but the awkward aftermath was stranger than the spill itself. The crew member vanished to the galley, leaving me to deal with the mess. A few minutes later, another flight attendant noticed and came to help, politely asking if I was dry before helping to clean up. An innocent mistake, but not the slickest handling of the situation.
In-flight Entertainment
The Aegean A321neo doesn’t have seat-back screens, but onboard Wi-Fi was available and worked well for most of the flight, dropping only briefly over Albania. The connection was fast enough for email and light browsing, and the seat power and USB ports made it easy to stay connected. It’s a practical setup for a modern short-haul cabin.
A selection of movie and TV series content was available for me to stream over the onboard Wi-Fi to my device.
Arrival
Despite Athens Airport often using bus gates for many of its non-Schengen arrivals, Aegean manages the process well. Business class passengers are escorted off first and whisked to the terminal on a dedicated bus, avoiding the usual crowding that comes with shared transfers. Immigration was swift, and I found myself in the baggage hall less than ten minutes after stepping off the aircraft.
BG1 Verdict
This flight showed why Aegean remains one of Europe’s most reliable short-haul business options. The Aegean A321neo business class cabin may be showing small signs of wear, but the seats are comfortable, the food remains among the best in its class, and the crew – coffee incident aside – were professional and warm. Compared with the often joyless short-haul business flights on other European flag carriers, Aegean still feels a touch more human.
BG1 Tip
…
Why not follow follow us on TikTok and Instagram.
Leave a Reply