Following a pleasant week’s stay in Crete, we flew Aegean Airlines A321 Economy from Heraklion to Athens so that we could connect with a later flight to London. This sector was markedly different from the London flight, in fact we’d go so far as to say it was pretty grim. Fortunately, it was only 40 minutes gate-to-gate so we didn’t have to experience this aircraft type for long. We’d hate to fly this aircraft for any distance and if you’re booked on an Aegean A321-200, you should definitely read on.
Flight Details
Flight No: A3307
From/To: Heraklion (HER) to Athens (ATH)
Departure time: 11:30
Ticket Class: Economy ComfortFlex
Flight time: 35 mins
Frequent Flyer Points: 990
Status Points: 990
Aircraft: SX-DVZ
Aircraft type: Airbus A321-200
Number of classes: 2
Number of seats in flying class: 190
Seat: 20F
Position: right hand side of the aircraft, 20 rows from the front
In this review:
Airport Experience
Our adventure began at the bustling Heraklion airport, a mere two hours before our flight’s scheduled departure. Little did we know that we were about to step into a scene of package holiday mayhem that felt like it had been lifted straight from a comedy sketch.
As we approached the terminal, we couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of queues snaking their way out of the doors. It seemed like everyone had chosen the same moment to check in, and the lines for just about everything were longer than the queue at a British teatime. Even the toilets, or what passed for them, had their own queues. The conditions inside were less than ideal, with malfunctioning fixtures, puddles on the floor, an absence of hand soap, and driers that had seen better days. It was a spectacle worth a raised eyebrow or two.
Thankfully, our Aegean check-in queue was a tad more civilised than some of the other departing flights. Little did we know that our upgrade dreams had been dashed, as the airline had sneakily auctioned off the seats we’d hoped for the day before our departure. Classy move, Aegean, we thought with a grin.
Airside
After ditching our bags, we discovered two security lanes flanking the terminal. The western end was a breeze, and we breezed through in just about 10 minutes. On the other side, however, it was a chaotic circus. Beyond the oversized duty-free shop, a sea of weary travellers was scattered about on a few measly rows of seats, sitting on the floor, and generally finding any spot to perch or lean. The atmosphere was akin to a sauna, with a chorus of disgruntled children adding to the merriment.
The departure area proved to be a tight squeeze, not exactly the place you’d choose to extend your Crete holiday. Like the toilets on the landslide side, the airside loos were nothing to write home about and boasted lines that could rival the queue for the most popular ride at a theme park.
One shining light in this airport comedy was the lack of an Aegean lounge, but an independent oasis called SkyServ welcomed Priority Pass holders. They mentioned that space was tight, but, with a wink and a nod, they ushered us in. The cool air and the precious luxury of finding a seat felt like a reward for surviving the chaos of Heraklion Airport.
Boarding & Welcome
The inbound aircraft was delayed. We were eventually called to board through one of the crowded bus gates – a common feature at this airport. No order to it, just pile on.
The air-conditioned bus didn’t keep us waiting for long at the terminal. It swiftly transported us across the tarmac to the A321 aircraft waiting on the runway.
Our allocated seats were towards the back, which meant we had the privilege of using the rear stairs to board.
Once we were on board, the cabin crew efficiently managed the allocation of cabin storage. Larger bags found space in the overhead lockers, while smaller ones were stored under the seats in front of us. It was a well-organised process that ensured everyone had a smoother boarding experience.
Seat
We found ourselves face to face with an aircraft that had seen better days. To put it plainly, it was completely knackered. As we settled into our seats, it didn’t take long to notice that the seat backs in our row, and those in the vicinity, seemed to have developed a mind of their own. With the slightest nudge, they reclined back and forth, resulting in a somewhat less than comfortable journey. It was like being on a ride at the funfair that had a mind of its own.
We had a window and middle seat. While the window seat had a seatback pocket, the middle seat was missing. The tray table on the window seat was defective and dirty.
Not to be outdone, the armrests on both sides bore the scars of countless battles and were far from their original state of grace. It was a classic case of “armrest warfare,” leaving us with more than a few sharp scratches to remember our flight by. We concluded the aircraft urgently needs to be refitted or scrapped.
What is the best seat on Aegean Airlines A321 Economy?
Honestly, none of them. Fly a different airline. If you have to do this route then try to get a window seat
See the seating plan on SeatGuru.
Onboard Experience
Now, when nature calls at 30,000 feet, we hope for little more than cleanliness. Alas, our optimism was met with a dose of reality in economy aboard an Aegean Airlines A321. Of the three toilets at the rear of the aircraft, the two we used were soap-free zones. After the poor sanitary conditions in the airport, this wasn’t that surprising, but still no less disgusting.
And no, nothing came out of that fitted soap dispenser when we pressed it.
While we’re not trained pilots, the take-off, descent and landing were one of the most uncomfortable we’ve experienced on aircraft this size. The landing was particularly scary as the left gear touched, then the right, then the left again before the pilot slammed on the breaks sending everyone and everything flying forward. We must’ve been just inches from an engine striking the runway.
The aircraft arrived at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport 25 minutes behind schedule, leaving us with a very short connection. This became even shorter with a 15-minute delay attaching steps and opening the door.
Food & Drink
A small bag of dry cheese-flavoured bread sticks and a small bottle of water were handed out shortly after take-off.
In-flight Entertainment
No entertainment was provided on this short-haul service.
BG1 Verdict
This was not a nice Aegean Airlines Economy flight on an knackered A321 and we definitely wouldn’t fly it again. We also wouldn’t recommend trusting Aegean with connections shorter than 2 hours – we nearly missed ours because of the late arrival into Athens and confusing route between the Schengen and non-Schengen gates.
BG1 Tip
Book the SkyServ lounge well in advance. If you not plan to use the lounge, do not arrive at Heraklion any earlier than an hour before your flight.
Don’t forget to sign-up to our newsletter to get our latest updates delivered straight to your inbox.
Leave a Reply