CHECK-IN My Saturday morning flight (A3603) to Athens was departing at 1150 from London Heathrow Terminal 1, so I checked in online the night before. There weren’t many seats available in economy, which was between rows four and 34, but I managed to change my aisle seat (18C) to a window seat (26F). I then printed out my boarding pass.
As the Piccadilly line was partially suspended, I had to take the Heathrow Express train from Paddington, which I was told is usually £18.10 for a single when bought at the station (online it is £16.50).
However, because I wanted to buy a ticket on the train –apparently Oyster cards and travel cards are not valid when the line is only partially suspended and a replacement bus service in place – I was charged £5 more, taking the price of the one-way ticket up to £23.10. It may be quick, but the service is not cheap.
I arrived at the airport at 1000 and walked eight minutes to the Zone B check-in area by Bmi. There were five people ahead of me waiting to drop their bags off at counter B15 (the other two, B16 and B17, were for economy check-in – there appeared to be no business class desk). After I had been issued with a new boarding pass and my luggage processed, I went through security, which was right next to me. There was a ten-minute wait while those ahead of me took off shoes, placed liquids in plastic bags and took jackets and jewellery off, but I was airside by 1020.
BOARDING I did a bit of shopping and then headed to Gate 21A, five minutes away. There was plenty of seating here and I read my book until boarding started at 1130, when all passengers got up at once and formed a line as soon as the call came. I was in my seat by 1145 – it was a full plane and there was a school party of excited boys distributed throughout. Jolly Greek bouzouki music played overhead.
THE SEAT The Recaro-made seats are configured 3-3 (A-B-C, D-E-F) in economy class on this A321 and are upholstered in navy blue leather. In business the middle seats are kept free, so are effectively 2-2. The cabin was clean and the product felt pretty comfy overall. A real plus point for a relatively short flight like this were the overhead screens, which showed films (Up in the Air on this flight), and most seats seemed to have a decent view, including my own.
WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE? If you need extra legroom, choose an exit row seat in nine or 24. Rows 13 to 20 are over the wing so will have an obscured view if you like a window seat, as will those in rows 21 and 22. Middle seats B and E are best avoided completely.
THE FLIGHT Over-ear headphones were handed out after take-off, which was on time, and the in-flight entertainment started shortly after. (Music channels were also available.) At 1220 my vegetarian meal was served (before anyone else’s). It consisted of hot vegetable and tomato pasta (overcooked and a little greasy), a raw carrot and sultana salad with a sachet of oil and vinegar dressing, a small dish of sliced fresh fruit, crackers, margarine and a warm white roll. A packet with a napkin, plastic cutlery and seasoning was also provided. Alcohol is not served in economy class but there was a choice of soft drinks, plus tea and coffee.
The standard lunch was a pretty tasty-looking cheesy pasta, Greek salad, chocolate cake, and cheese and biscuits. (I am not sure why I didn’t get this as it was all vegetarian – I can only assume I was given a vegan option to be on the safe side.) The service was good and the crew patient and friendly.
ARRIVAL The flight took just over three and a half hours, and we landed in Athens on schedule at 1730 local time. Disembarkation was from the front of the aircraft and didn’t take too long, despite the fact I was sitting near the back. There was a six-minute queue for immigration and then a 15-minute wait for my suitcase – but I was lucky as it was one of the first ones out. By 1815 I was out of the terminal and in a taxi. It is about 40 minutes’ drive to the centre of Athens, with the journey costing about €35.
VERDICT A good economy class product with amenable crew and good in-flight entertainment – a plus for a relatively short route such as this. No alcohol is available in this class but the free standard meal looked quite appetising. I was also pleased that the service was extremely punctual.
PRICE Internet rates for a return economy class flight in June from London to Athens started from £204.
CONTACT en.aegeanair.com
Jenny Southan
