Flight Review: Aegean Airlines London to Athens to Larnaca - Business Class

[@wessexTim]

Did this same flight in Coach class back in May 2022....So much nicer in Business.....Another good video, thanks.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Tim. Business class is quite nice!

[@Da__goat]

Very relaxing and easy to follow video. You get across the important information without any excess "mouth diarrhea".

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks again! I try to avoid all variants of diarrhoea so its good to know I'm negative for the mouth variant!!!!

[@chilglish]

Very interesting report Matt. I’ve also wondered how many of the in-flight shopping products they actually carry! Looking forward to the next one! Keep up the good work!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks mate - gonna keep going as long as people keep watching!

[@saul9357]

Great video again Matt ! Belated Happy Birthday

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Saul - another year wiser...

[@s-plus9049]

Hey Matt, thanks for your video. Always entertaining & special thanks for charing your Upgrade-Challenge-Conditions! Offically Aegeans inflight service is still in Covid-mode, thats why theres no pre-departure drink, no aperitif-service before the meal and all meals are served at once on one tray (before Covid there was a restaurant stile service, for first and main course). As a Miles+Bonus Gold member myself, I do hope that they will return to their old service scheme in the near future, hopefully this summer.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - still being in Covid mode makes sense actually... Look forward to trying them again when things are back to normal!

[@stephendalton6339]

Good video matt, well paced. Think you are getting into the swing now. Not been to Cypress for 40 plus years (Cyprus 707 and BAC 111 times)

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Stephen... Suspect Cyprus would feel quite different now if you were to go back!

[@deliriumghs9253]

A quick note as well, Olympic Airlines was the Greek carrier before it was absorbed into Aegean. Essentially, all Olympic flights are Aegean flights but they just keep the name for legacy reasons I presume.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - I remember seeing Olympic planes (747s?) in Sydney... Was keen to fly on one for old times sake... Thanks for the comment!

[@deliriumghs9253]

@@MattsPlanet They did have a 747 up until 2005 or 2006 if my memory serves. Now Aegean only runs Airbus family aircrafts and the flights under Olympic Airways name are mostly ATRs.

[@haddockman30]

Great review. I have always liked Aegean. Looking forward to flying them again when I get the chance.

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Mr H - they are pleasant enough and go to some interesting places!

[@Mark.Claughton]

Keep up the good work. Always enjoy your videos

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks MTD. I always enjoy your comments!!!!

[@MattNav]

Great job Matt ! I've yet to try Aegean... whilst they do serve my local airport of NCE their schedule is very much useless in terms of timings for me as a weekend traveller so maybe some other time I'll give them a shot 🤷‍♂

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Matthew. I quite like them, but will fully admit that it may be a while until I fly them again as I am shamelessly using them as my route to Star Alliance gold....

[@scottprice4813]

So when I retire I’ll definitely have some time on my hands and pursuing gold with Aegean may be a part of my travel hobby . I’ve had a pretty long standing relationship with United having achieved silver with them so gold benefits would enhance that . Although never having been to the Greek isles for me it would be a rather undemanding way to get gold . Any advice on getting to silver on Aegean (Shortcuts, best route plan) etc.

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Scott - just made a trip which gets me almost all the way to Gold and I'm going to make a video about the process and how much it cost so that might answer some of your questions.... I made a video about Star Alliance Tier Point Runs too which might be helpful to your thinking... Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment!

[@IWTBF]

Woo! New video. Hopefully more long haul flights soon !

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - long haul flights next week actually - although they will be in economy... The shame!!!! I think I've picked flights that have a good chance of being very quiet though so hopefully economy will be a relaxed experience!

[@Tobias-fs2cc]

Saturday , I will start my Mileage run on Aegean. iam sooooo excited...

[@MattsPlanet]

Have fun!

[@Tobias-fs2cc]

@@MattsPlanet I will try my best

[@webstereo]

Once you have achieved Gold, will you mostly use it to fly economy with perks?

[@MattsPlanet]

Generally yes - business and economy on short Euro hops are often virtually indistinguishable from a seat and service perspective these days so you can greatly enhance the ground experience with Gold status. Plus Aegen has some upgrade and other benefits when you get there...

[@Konstantinos_A]

You had connected flight right? London to Athens and Athens to Larnaka with Aegean? If so your luggages went direct to the Larnaka’s airoplane?

[@MattsPlanet]

Hand Baggage Only on this trip - actually I'm HBO for almost all trips... But luggage would have been checked through if I'd had any.

[@Konstantinos_A]

@@MattsPlanet i don’t know if you know because I don’t remember. I have connected flight with Aegean Manchester to Athens and Athens to Larnaka. So my big luggage will go direct to the final destination? I mean I will not have to wait my luggage in Athens as they will go direct to the other plane

[@MattsPlanet]

@@Konstantinos_A Your luggage will be checked through to Cyprus from London - you won't see it again in Athens.

[@Konstantinos_A]

@@MattsPlanet ok thank you!!!

[@davidallison2777]

I would love to know what Aegeans 'secret criteria' is for their Upgrade Challenge that you mention. Hope you can share this information waiting see see if we are successful for a flight on Thursday.

[@MattsPlanet]

I think its whoever offered the most! I don't think they are turning down cash right now... They might want to try to maintain some sort of prestige about the premium cabin, but they probably want the cash more!

[@davidallison2777]

@@MattsPlanet Thanks. I thought you were implying that there was some sort of hidden baseline.

[@MattsPlanet]

@@davidallison2777 I'm sure they'd love you to think there is one!

[@georgekastanas4943]

Hey Matt. Great video. To be fair Olympic air only operates Q400/ATR-42/72 aircraft so you would probaply still fly an Aegean Airplane back on your original trip.👍 Olympic air last Airbus was a long time ago.

[@MattsPlanet]

It was originally supposed to be an Olympic flight as I showed in the video. No way they could have fit that passenger load onto a smaller plane so good for Aegean!

[@dimitristheheat]

​@@MattsPlanetAegean used to have Olympic air code for some flights that still was operated by their Aegean livery Airbus airplanes. I think it's good they changed the codes to Aegean airlines codes because it was confusing because it always was the same product. (I mean after olympic air bought from aegean). Only the turboprops are Olympic air product.

[@bowman7296]

Well, you are certainly getting good at the videos now, Matt. I think you will be getting used to the business class travel now that you are getting a taste for it 😀 😉 I am with you on people putting their seats back on planes. it annoys me, too. They've need to do what Easy Jet and Ryanair have no reclining seats

[@MattsPlanet]

Morning Peter - business class is OK but I'm overweighted towards that class at the moment as I chase status... Next trip is long haul economy.... I opened the curtain to the "seat recline" debate but I'm not sure I'm ready for a full on debate! Let's just say that EasyJet and Ryanair probably have the right idea!

[@lesbrown2724]

Seat recline, I know some people will think I am exaggerating but I feel that the single best part about travelling in long haul business is that you don't have to suffer the person in front waiting until you have just been served a drink and then reclining their seat as forcefully as possible. My wife recently had someone sitting in front of her who reclined their seat before take off and we had to get a flight attendant to sort it out

[@bowman7296]

@Les Brown Yes, Les, we have had this a few times, worst being on a flight to San Francisco young girl in front put it back after seat belt sign was off the whole way , best part was she never used the purpose of

[@jimsmith8062]

Hi Matt on your travels and talking to fellow travellers if you pick up any tips/tricks for disabled travellers it would be useful info to add to your videos. Any good/bad airports or airlines thanks. My wife (disabled) and I are nearing retirement and looking forward to some travelling.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Jim - that's a really good point actually. Don't know if you follow him, but Noel Philips's wife has some mobility issues so often gets assistance through airports. I know he's made a few videos focussing on the assistance side of their travels together - one to Majorca if I recall correctly - which may be interesting. He talks about airports and airlines. I have a hearing disability but that's a very minor inconvenience so doesn't routinely throw out interesting insights... Thanks and I will keep this in mind!

[@jimsmith8062]

@@MattsPlanet Thanks Matt I will check Noel's vids. Happy flying.

[@dospalmascb]

My dad loves metaxa brandy, I’m guessing he’s spent too much time in Cyprus lol. I do remember him bring Demi johns of sherry home from his trips to Cyprus too.

[@MattsPlanet]

It has an oddly floral tang to Metaxa but it tastes fantastic on Aegean - don't think I've ever had it anywhere else!!!

[@skullbashr1]

Matt I do believe those who haven't had documents verified are transfers, I fly alot from the queen's terminal and most flights you will have to verify at check in. Cheers carl

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - I think some will be although I don't know how many will be connecting to Aegean? I do know that there was no impediment to printing your own boarding pass which would have got you airside without any checks...

[@skullbashr1]

@@MattsPlanet it's part of star alliance so most connections would be code shares, I do believe the issue is boarding passes issued from star alliance partners ( I've had this issue multiple times myself and have to be verified at the gate)

[@captaina6755]

Aegean changed the flight schedule lately before this change all domestic flights and flight between greece and Cyprus was operated with Olympic flight number but with Aegeans airplanes so they changed only the flight numbers.....

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Captain. Odd that it said "Operated by Olympic" when I originally booked?

[@captaina6755]

@@MattsPlanet yea it was confusing Olympic operates small dash8s and atrs in small domestic flights they don't have 320s.....also Olympic air is a part of aegean group so more or less is the same airline

[@deirdrenugent1887]

Appreciate your comment about Russia Matt👌👌

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - its unfortunate that Ukraine has dropped down the news schedules given what's going on in the Middle East now....

[@kevindonnelly6007]

Helpful comment for the algorithm, but I wish I'd found+seen this three months ago when I was researching M+B and A3. My positive decision would have been made much faster and simpler. Glad to see it!

[@MattsPlanet]

Hopefully you made the right choice even without seeing this!

[@kevindonnelly6007]

@@MattsPlanet Oh, I absolutely did! Your vid was a bonus reinforcement of my decision.

[@wingitoneworld]

Super video Matt😀😀😀

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Oliver!

[@catsbig200]

A doc check is good at gate has mistakes can be made so always best Love your vlogs

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks so much!

[@derisleybrittain]

Superb quality 🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾👍👍👍👍🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks! Assuming you're talking about me rather than the airline...

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

like your video

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks!

[@tigerbanana]

Missed that catchphrase again!

[@tigerbanana]

No, it was there I just had to keep watching!

[@MattsPlanet]

Oh, it was in there....

[@orionbaden-powell1496]

wow I wouldn't say that was good in any way! no drinks on take off, basic food, no champagne, no toiletries in the toilet, and no blanket even though you landed at 1am. Not that I'm fussy but I think maybe the lovely staff hoodwinked you into thinking it was better than it was ,Matt. Great video, cant wait to see what you did in Larnaca, I went as a kid and again to ayia napa with my teen daughter (I didn't go out clubbing, or have a fish pedicure in a stretch hummer although the opportunity was there). I also think that was over priced. At least the plane was new though, when dd and I went in Oct 2019? it was an old beige BA plane from the 70's which was a code share and had 2 cabins for business, we were in the boot area and had lots of ppl coming from economy and using the business toilets

[@MattsPlanet]

Well when you put it like that, I agree that Aegean is a bit rubbish!!!! I did in fact stay in Ayia Napa this trip - video coming in a couple of weeks but lets just say it was a different experience to the one you had...

[@orionbaden-powell1496]

@@well-blazeredman6187 haha, after a few drinks yeah?

[@speedendurance]

Selfish lady in front of you. I thought there was a "rule" of removing the reclining seats (i.e. sitting upright) option during meal service. There should be a friendly reminder by the staff.

[@MattsPlanet]

Ahhhh.... The reclining seat debate! Managed to swerve it on this occasion but I'm sure I'll talk about it one day!

[@BrianRosson-ti4pl]

I don’t understand why you whined and complained for the whole video before telling us how much fun it all was.

[@MattsPlanet]

You can still enjoy something that could be easily made better....

[@davidwebb4904]

This didn’t age well.

[@MattsPlanet]

Different times!