Hi All,

Have a trip planned in late November 2025. 4 adults, 1 infant. ORD BRU ATH in J.

ORD BRU operated by UA, BRU ATH operated by SN. This all same ticket. We arrive ATH 1505 local.

Will likely have 1-2 checked bags between the group and probable gate checked small child item(s).

This group is not the most travel savvy but will do what I tell them

Would like to go to western Crete. Am unfamiliar with Greece/ATH/Crete. Am trying to determine if we should do Crete first or last in trip. I.e., push on for one long travel day or go to Crete last in our trip. Our return travel does originate in ATH.

1) How reliable is Aegean operations between ATH and Crete? I would assume they are pretty much only carrier to consider for ATH - Crete route?

2) How easy is ATH for transit travel with separate follow on itinerary?

I personally do not travel with checked luggage, and so I have no experience with interlining bags.

3) I would think interlining bags ORD BRU ATH from UA/SN on same ticket is non issue. What about if we had follow on Aegean ticket to Crete? I would assume all *A so should be doable?

4) A3 is showing a ATH CHQ flight 2 hours after our scheduled arrival, and 6 hours after our arrival. It appears Expert Flyer says minimum connection time for ATH is 55 minutes. How realistic do you think it would be for us to make that 1705 ATH CHQ flight?

Thanks all. Appreciate the advice.