Intro

After flying five different routes between Luxembourg, Greece, and Cyprus during May and June, Aegean is one of Europe’s best kept secrets for anyone who cares about inflight service and complimentary inflight meals!

I took several flights in business and economy class to assess the airline’s offerings, and I finally had the opportunity to experience their Non-Schengen Lounge at Athens Airport.

Wow, what a fantastic lounge! 

Economy Class

Flying Aegean soon? They’re one of the few European carriers still offering complimentary meals in economy class. 

There are no buy-on-board options, but actual meals or snacks that are complimentary!

Now, let’s be honest – like most airlines, Aegean’s portions have become more modest over the years.

But here’s the thing: they’re still free.

While more and more European carriers are adopting paid meal concepts, where you’ll pay โ‚ฌ8 for a subpar sandwich, Aegean continues to include something.

Even on domestic hops like Athens to Corfu, you’ll still receive a proper snack and drink service. 

A packaged Greek brioche and a paper cup with the Aegean logo are placed on an airplane tray table.

During one sector, I was served tsoureki (traditional sweet bread), and in another, a tasty baklava.

The airline offers a variety of Greek snack products, which are rotated according to the route.

A paper cup with "AEGEAN" branding and a packaged snack rest on an airplane tray table, with seat backs and safety cards visible in the background.

For regular travellers it shows thoughtfulness.

On longer European routes, depending on the time of day, you’ll be served either a hot/cold snack or a proper meal tray service with various Greek inspired offerings.

Airplane meal on a tray with a rolled crepe, a cup of orange juice, a cup of yogurt with raisins, and a set of wooden cutlery on a napkin labeled "Aegean.

When so many airlines are asking you to pay extra for basic sustenance, Aegean’s commitment to complimentary service – however modest – feels refreshingly old school.

It’s no longer about quantity; it’s about maintaining the sense of hospitality that once defined European aviation.

Business Class

Stepping aboard Aegean’s aircraft, you immediately notice the thoughtful design touches.

White partition on an Aegean Airlines plane featuring a decorative leaf pattern and three placards with safety information in English and Greek.

The cabin walls feature elegant geometric patterns inspired by traditional Greek motifs, creating a sophisticated atmosphere that feels distinctly Mediterranean.

Whether you’re flying from Athens to Larnaca or Athens to Madrid, these routes showcase everything Aegean does well in business class.

I experienced both flights, and the service consistency was remarkableโ€”the same attention to detail, identical meal quality, and seamless execution regardless of destination.

While I’ll focus primarily on the Larnaca experience, the photos throughout this section represent both routes.

On this 90 minute hop, they deliver a three course meal experience that rivals what you’d get on much longer flights with other carriers.

A menu titled "gastronomics" with images of avocados, lime halves, and leaves, placed on an airplane tray table; Aegean logo visible at the bottom right.

The experience begins before takeoff with a proper welcome drink served in real glasses.

The crew then presented printed menus explaining your meal choices, and the options genuinely impressed me: chicken fillet with lemon and oregano sauce, warm broccoli salad and potato purรฉe, or veal in lemon and oregano sauce with creamy au gratin potatoes.

Hot towels follow.

A person holds a white, damp towelette in their hand, with an airplane seat and tray table in the background.


I opted for the chicken, and the presentation alone was impressive. 

Airline meal tray with salad, crackers, bread roll, main dish of chicken with vegetables, dessert pastry, cheese, butter, and a glass of red beverage on an airplane seatback tray table.


The Nicoise salad, with its fresh green beans, lettuce, vegetables, hard-boiled egg, smoked tuna, anchovy fillet, olives, and capers, was delicious. 

The main course also delivered on its promise.

The chicken fillet was perfectly cooked – tender and juicy and the potato purรฉe was creamy.

What impressed me was that they included a proper cheese course – Graviera cheese “Spilia” and Graviera cheese from Naxos Island. 

The meal concluded with baklava created by Executive Chef Pรขtissier Stelios Parliaros, featuring grated pistachio.

When airlines credit their pastry chefs on the menu, you know they’re taking dessert seriously. And it showed.

On the flight to Madrid dessert was served after the main meal tray was collected.

A rectangular chocolate dessert covered in cocoa powder sits on a white plate on a striped tablecloth; a spoon is nearby.

For reference here’s some photos from my trip from Athens to Madrid.

Airplane meal tray with salad, two bread rolls, butter, crackers, cheese, yogurt, and two pieces of a main dish, possibly stuffed with meat or vegetables, on a white tablecloth.
A menu with an image of red grapes and the word "gastronomics" is placed on an airplane tray table in an Aegean Airlines cabin.
An open airline menu shows a welcome message in Greek and English on the left and a bilingual list of meal options, including appetizers, main courses, cheese, and dessert, on the right.
Flight attendant in blue uniform serves drinks to passengers seated in an airplane's front row near the emergency exit door; magazines are visible in seat pockets.
A glass of orange juice sits on a napkin on an airplane tray table, with a glass of water and a passenger visible in the background.

Looking at their bar menu, the beverage program is equally serious.

Greek spirits, such as Plomari Ouzo and Mastiha, as well as classic cocktails like the Negroni, local beers like FIX Hellas and Mythos, and an extensive coffee program featuring Caffรจ Vergnano options.

A glass of water and a glass of red beverage with ice are placed on an airplane tray table next to a menu.


Menu and bar list with sections for appetizers, main courses, cheese, dessert, spirits, cocktails, local drinks, beer, non-alcoholic options, coffee, and herbal infusions.
Airline menu with a welcome message on the left in Greek and English, and a wine list with descriptions and images of wine bottles on the right.

The whole service flowed seamlessly despite the short flight time.

Nothing felt rushed, and the crew managed to deliver it all (including a coffee service) without anyone feeling stressed. 

For a 90 minute flight, this level of service feels almost ridiculous – in the best possible way.

Most airlines would skip the hot towels, printed menus, and thoughtful local options, such as cheese and collaborations with renowned pastry chefs.

Still, Aegean believes that business class means business class, regardless of how long you’re in the air.

Athens Non Schegen Lounge

Now, this is where Aegean impressed me.

Their non-Schengen lounge at Athens Airport opened in 2022, and it’s hands down one of the best airline lounges I’ve experienced in Europe.

Getting there is straightforward.

People walk through an airport terminal corridor with shops on both sides and a sign overhead indicating gates A1-27.
Entrance to business lounges in an airport, with automatic doors open, multiple information screens, and escalators in the background.
Four digital display screens mounted on a wall show flight information and airline logos near an escalator in an airport terminal.

After security, walk through the duty-free area and follow the “Business Lounges” signs that point to the right, just before the Hugo Boss store.

Escalator leading up to airport gates A1โ€“27, with directional signs overhead and natural light coming from windows above.

Take two sets of escalators up to the third floor, and you’re there.

An airport terminal area with a large Aegean Airlines sign, overhead gate signs for A16 and A17, and escalators leading down.

The entrance area features a stunning olive tree under a glass ceiling.

A modern airport lounge with travelers at the check-in counter, an indoor tree, seating area, and Aegean Airlines branding on the wall.
Modern office entrance with glass doors, turnstiles, and the Aegean logo displayed prominently on the central wall.

Walking into this place feels like entering a high end Greek cafรฉ rather than an airport lounge.

A lounge area at an airport with people seated on sofas and chairs, a staff member walking, and large windows providing natural light.

The food presentation blew me away.

Instead of the grim warming trays most lounges use, everything is displayed beautifully.

A large pot on a stovetop filled with meatballs, cherry tomatoes, potato wedges, and pieces of flatbread.
A few pieces of cooked stuffed pastry are in a black pan on a stovetop, with another covered pot and various condiments visible in the background.
A wooden display box with three compartments containing different types of breadsticks and croutons under a clear plastic cover.
Display case with various desserts in cups and jars, including fruit and puddings, on a black countertop in a modern cafeteria.

There’s a cast iron pan with Greek meatballs still sizzling away, surrounded by cherry tomatoes and fresh bread.

You can smell the food. 

A buffet counter displays assorted pastries and donuts under glass domes, with serving tongs and small labels in a modern, well-lit setting.

What caught my attention was the selection of mezze.

A selection of small bowls containing spreads and dips, including tsatsiki and aubergine salad, displayed on a buffet counter with labelsโ€”a taste reminiscent of an Aegean Airlines review highlighting authentic flavors.

They’ve arranged various Greek dips and specialities in these beautiful blue and white striped bowls, Kalamata olives, authentic spreads, everything you’d expect from a good Greek restaurant. 

A display case with bowls of fresh fruit, small desserts, and jars of smoothies on a black tray at a self-serve food counter.

The attention to detail is everywhere.

A display case with assorted desserts, including chocolate squares, pastries, and tarts, with serving utensils and plates on the counter in front.

Even the salt and pepper shakers are thoughtfully designed, featuring their logo, made of cardboard yet surprisingly elegant.

A wooden tray holds several stacks of small white paper cups, with plates and utensils visible nearby.
Two small, white containers labeled "Salt" and "Pepper" sit on a dark marble table in a brightly lit room.

In the bathrooms, you’ll find Korres handwash products, another example of featuring quality Greek brands throughout the passenger experience.

Two bottles with pumps, one labeled "Hand Wash" and the other "Body Milk," are placed on a white countertop against a gray tiled wall.

The space itself is genuinely impressive.

Modern airport lounge with seating areas, partition screens, a bar counter, and large windows overlooking the runway on a sunny day.
Row of empty chairs and desks by large windows overlooking an airport runway and distant hills, with natural light filling the space.
A modern bar area with a marble countertop, high chairs, assorted bottles of alcohol, glassware on shelves, and blue metallic walls.
A black lounge chair and small round table beside a large potted plant in a bright airport waiting area with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Modern airport lounge with curved white seating, small round tables, a few people relaxing, and large windows providing natural light.

Floor to ceiling windows give you panoramic views of the airport and Athens beyond, including the control tower.

A view of an airport control tower and runway area through large glass windows, with parked vehicles and airport buildings visible outside.

The seating is thoughtfully arranged, featuring quiet corners with recliners for those who want to sleep, communal tables for dining, and work areas.

A round marble table with four black chairs around it, a small sign at the center, and a wooden cabinet against a blue wall in the background.

Natural light floods in all day, making it feel more like a modern Greek home than an airport waiting area.

You can watch Aegean’s blue and white aircraft taxi past while sampling authentic Greek flavours, which creates this incredible sense of place that some lounges miss entirely. 

Conclusion

For European travel, Aegean represents exceptional value.

Offering complimentary meals in economy, when most carriers charge for everything, puts them ahead immediately. 

If you’re flying to, from, or within Greece, definitely consider Aegean over the usual European suspects.

The Athens lounge is worth a visit if you’re travelling through Greece to non-Schengen destinations.

Their approach to inflight service makes them worth supporting.

Sometimes, the best airline experiences come from carriers that remember why people used to enjoy flying.

About Aegean Airlines

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