Review – Aegean A320neo Business Class from Athens to Bilbao

First time on Aegean A320neo – Chaotic Transit

My recent journey to Bilbao, Spain, included a 3.5-hour flight from Athens (ATH) to Bilbao (BIO) on Aegean A320neo in Business Class. This was my first time flying with Aegean, so I had no past experience to compare it to. However, the journey started with a rather chaotic transit experience through ATH. My layover in Athens was just two hours after arriving from Toronto (YYZ) on Air Canada, and one hour of that time was spent in the immigration line. Due to the prioritization of travellers with shorter layovers, the line moved very slowly, creating a frustrating experience. Once I cleared immigration, I had to exit and re-enter the airport through another section, going through security once again. Fortunately, my Business Class ticket granted me access to the fast-track lane, making the process slightly more manageable.

Snaking Immigration lines at ATH

A word of caution—if you ever have a transit flight through Athens, give yourself ample time, as my two-hour layover was barely enough to make my connecting flight. On a lighter note, something amusing I hadn’t seen in a long time was the presence of a “smoker’s box” on the way to immigration, which was completely packed with passengers getting a quick cigarette break before continuing their journey.

Smoking Zone/Box

Aegean A320neo – Boarding and Cabin

Boarding the flight to Bilbao was an interesting experience. Passengers were shuttled to the aircraft via a bus, and while Business Class passengers had priority boarding for the bus, the actual boarding process onto the plane was chaotic. There was no structured queuing system, making it a free-for-all situation once we reached the aircraft. In my opinion, Aegean should implement a dedicated bus for Business Class passengers to ensure a more organized and relaxed boarding experience.

The Business Class cabin on this Aegean Airlines flight consisted of the first three rows, each arranged in a 3-3 configuration. However, in Business Class, the middle seat is always kept empty, providing extra space for passengers. The cabin itself had a clean and modern aesthetic with dark blue leather seats, complemented by gray and white interiors.

Aegean A320neo Business Class Cabin

Aegean Business Class Cabin

Aegean A320neo – Business Class Seats

My seating experience was quite pleasant, as I lucked out and had the entire row to myself. This allowed me to enjoy both the window and aisle seats, making the journey more comfortable. Each seat featured a USB charging station on the seatback in front and an interesting addition—a small phone caddy above the food tray. This was a new seat accessory for me, and I found it quite practical for holding my phone during the flight.

Blocked middle seat

Business Class row

Phone caddy

The seats were upholstered in dark blue leather, which added to the premium feel of the cabin. Though not lie-flat, the seats provided sufficient comfort for a short-haul flight of 3.5 hours.

Aegean A320neo – Meal Service and Staff

The Business Class meal service began with a welcome drink offered before takeoff. Options included water, orange juice, or sparkling wine. Once airborne, the meal service commenced with a hot towel, a thoughtful touch that enhanced the premium experience.

For breakfast, I chose the Greek meal option, which included a salty cake with mushrooms, Arseniko cheese from Naxos Island, and Kaseri cheese from Xanthi. There was also an alternative choice—a lemon muffin with poppy seeds and strawberry compote. Accompanying the meal was a fresh fruit platter with a wedge of Manouri cheese, as well as morning rolls or croissants served with butter, marmalade, and yogurt.

Breakfast Meal – Aegean Business Class

Salty Cake with mushrooms

To complement the meal, I decided to explore the onboard cocktail options and opted for a Coppa Cocktail Passion Fruit Martini. Unfortunately, this was a bit of a letdown, as I could barely taste the passion fruit flavour. The meal concluded with a serving of Ouzo and two petite chocolates, one milk chocolate and one dark chocolate, both branded with the Aegean Airlines logo.

Passion Fruit Martini

Ouzo with Dark Chocolate

The cabin crew provided excellent service, with Pagona, my Business Class attendant, standing out in particular. She was Greek but spoke fluent Spanish, and we even had a friendly conversation about travel. She shared her love for road-tripping through Europe, which made for a pleasant interaction during the flight.

Takeaway

Overall, my first experience flying Aegean Airlines was positive, particularly in terms of the onboard service and meal quality. For a short-haul flight of 3.5 hours, I would rate the onboard service and food a solid 7 out of 10. It was slightly better than a comparable Air Canada short-haul flight.

That said, the transit experience at Athens International Airport left much to be desired. The immigration process was chaotic, and the boarding procedure could have been better organized, especially for Business Class passengers.

Despite these minor setbacks, I would consider flying Aegean Airlines again. Their onboard service and hospitality were commendable, and the in-flight experience was comfortable for a short-haul journey. However, for anyone transiting through Athens, I highly recommend allowing for extra time to navigate the airport smoothly.

Bon Voyage ✈️