Intro
Aegean Airlines rolled out significant changes to their inflight service in May 2023, promising enhanced passenger experiences through sustainability initiatives and authentic Greek touches.
Having flown both economy and business class since these updates, I can report on what has changed and whether it has improved the onboard dining experience.
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Economy Class
The most noticeable change in the economy is Aegean’s shift toward sustainability, with paper containers for hot meals and wooden cutlery replacing plastic.
While I appreciate the environmental thinking, the execution has some issues.
The wooden cutlery feels relatively small and flimsy, making it challenging to cut through anything substantial.
You end up working harder to enjoy your meal, which isn’t ideal when you’re hungry.
The paper containers work better than expected, maintaining heat well without getting soggy.
What impressed me was the return of fresh salads after an eight year absence.
The Greek salad I received had properly ripe tomatoes, creamy feta, and high-quality olives.
This “A Taste of Greece” branding isn’t just marketing speak, the flavours genuinely reflect Greek food.
Here’s what sets Aegean apart from other European carriers: they still provide complimentary hot meals and alcoholic beverages in economy class, unlike Lufthansa, Austrian, and British Airways, which have eliminated free catering on similar routes.
Flying the same Athens route with Air France, you’ll receive a sandwich, making Aegean’s meal service all the more remarkable.
Business Class
Business class features new tableware, including tray mats and sleek plates.
The streamlined dining approach serves appetisers and main courses together before clearing everything for dessert, which works well for the flight durations Aegean typically operates.
The presentation immediately feels more restaurant like, though I noticed the plates are slightly smaller than before, and perhaps the portions are too.
The new tray cloths feature attractive Greek inspired branding, though using single use linens seems counterproductive to their sustainability messaging.
It’s a nice touch that undermines their environmental goals.
Aegean has also partnered with Dutch brand Coppa Cocktails to offer pre mixed drinks made with natural ingredients.
The Negroni I tried was genuinely well balanced, with proper bitter complexity rather than the syrupy sweetness that many pre made cocktails suffer from.
The airline continues to collaborate with renowned Greek chefs.
The food quality has shown genuine improvement over the previous years, with dishes that reflect modern Greek cuisine.
The desserts deserve special mention.
Created by acclaimed pastry chef Stelios Parliaros, these aren’t your typical airline sweets.
Conclusion
Aegean’s service updates succeed more than they fail.
The sustainability initiatives require some adjustments, but their commitment to Greek culinary authenticity creates meaningful differentiation in a competitive market.
For travellers wanting genuine cultural experiences alongside quality dining, Aegean delivers something unique in European aviation.
They’ve managed to enhance their service while maintaining the Greek hospitality that makes flying with them feel distinctly different from generic European carriers.