Flight information and on time performance:
Both airlines are very punctual for their domestic operations and ex-Greece operations. The only delay was the first flight from Heathrow to Athens on A3 601. The inbound aircraft did not arrive at gate until 11:11am, due to low ceiling and ATC. It took the plane an hour and five minutes to push back. Boarding took place at gate 5b, right below the Great London lounge, and the gate area was very busy, as there was another A3 flight to Larnaca, along with an Iceland Air flight to Keflavik. There was a Costa Coffee in this oddly located gate clusters mainly servicing bmi international midhaul flights. Boarding did not take place till 11:50am and there was priority boarding available. Most passengers seemed to respect it and I was the first one to board the plane, as I wanted to take pictures of the cabins. I was greeted immediately the leading F/A, and there were more than seven rows of seats blocked for business class seats, but the flight was not full. There was originally a passenger seated at the aisle seat, but after the door was closed, he moved across to the other side, as they were empty. The loading was about eight and nine passengers in business and economy looked 100% full. Unlike other European airlines, A3 offers pre-takeoff beverages (choice of orange juice or sparkling wine) on the medium haul flights to European countries (but no pre-takeoff beverages for domestic flights).


However, candies were offered to the whole plane prior to takeoff. Door was closed at 12:16pm, and we pushed back shortly after. Takeoff queue was reasonable this afternoon and we took off from R/W9R at 12:38pm. Flying time was three hours and six minutes, with the routing taking us over Gillingham, Sandwich, and Dunkirk before reaching 33,000feet. Then we passed Mouscron, Rastatt, Leutkirchim Allgau, Vittoro Veneto, Carole, and Pula before climbing to 35,000feet. Then we passed through Karya and Araxos airport before heading straight at Athens. Descent began at 5:20pm local time, and we landed on R/W20R at 5:44pm local time, and parked at a remote spot, “B40” at 3:48pm.





For OA 906, the aircraft arrived from Thessaloniki this morning and was early. There was a real gate this morning, B7, and boarding began at 9:01am. The loading was very light, and J had about five passengers and I got the whole row to myself again. The F/As were more cheerful on this Olympic Air flight and newspapers were offered to business class passengers, and candies to the whole plane. Door was closed early at 9:18am, and we pushed back four minutes later. We took off from R/W3R at 9:31am for our short 33 minutes flight cruising at 27,000feet before moving down to 23,000feet due to turbulence. Descent began at 9:43am and we landed on R/W34 at 10:04am. We parked at spot #4 at 10:08am.

OA A320 getting ready for my flight to SKG


OA A320 at SKG




For A3 111, it was another on time performance, and the inbound came in from Athens and arrived on time at spot “6” again. Boarding began at 11:50am for normal economy passengers and business class passengers were called at 12:05pm, and we got our own bus, which was very good and I gave a big thumb up for A3 and OA to allow premium passengers to board last and to deplane first. Door was closed at 12:10pm after we all settled. The usual candies and newspapers make its round. We pushed back at 12:14pm and took off from R/W34 at 12:19pm. Flying time was a short thirty-four minutes at 27,000feet. Descent began at 12:36pm and we landed on R/W3L at 12:53pm and parked at gate B15 at 12:58pm.

For A3 604, the plane arrived from Brussels earlier in the afternoon and we used gate A3 this evening. The flight was lightly booked in both cabins and boarding was less hassled. Boarding began at 5:03pm and door was closed at 5:21pm. The leading F/A finally offered to hang my coat – the only time after three A3 flights. We pushed back at 5:30pm and began a very strange taxing ritual. We first headed to R/W3L following a BA Airbus A320 G-EUUV heading to Heathrow as well. Just as we took our turn at R/W3L and even rolled into the runway, the plane suddenly rolled high speed towards the first exit. I was worried for a minute as we taxied back towards the satellite terminal, but there was no announcement except an internal call to the F/As. Then we taxied towards R/W3R and finally took off at 5:58pm. I never knew what went wrong initially. We climbed towards 36,000feet and stayed there for the whole flight, which was three hours and thirty-one minutes. Descent began at 6:55pm London local time (two hours behind Athens). Circling was not too bad and we landed on R/W9L at 7:29pm and parked at spot “247R” at 7:35pm.

Cross the Alps



Routing of A3 604, thanks to the Sky Map function


Cabin and seats:
I took pictures of both Aegean A320 and A321, and the seats were all the same, and you could not really tell the difference until you located the emergency exits. With the curtains drawn in business class, there was no way you could tell. A3 uses the latest Recaro slim seats, which in theory provide more legroom, but the padding was a bit less than the usual seats. I felt that the seats were not as thin as Lufthansa, but anyway, it was okay. There was a table situated in the middle, and nothing out of the extraordinary. However branding was everywhere in A3 and even the carpet features the bird like motifs.

Cabin shot
A321


A320