Originally Posted by
purdue1015
...{skip}...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?
Very reliable, especially outside the peak tourist season when European skies are a mess. Unless "hit" by a strike or a storm, flights are usually on time. In addition to A3 Sky Express also flies ATH-Crete, as well as Volotea (though with a reduced schedule in the winter months). Both of those are equally reliable companies (Volotea is an LCC, though: check luggage conditions).
2) How easy is ATH for transit travel with separate follow on itinerary?
A bit of walking, very crowded during summer, not so much in November.
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?
There is no guarantee that you'll find a CI agent in the States who will be willing to check your luggage through to Crete (they're not obliged to). Clearly, if your flight to Crete is on Aegean your chances are higher (all carriers involved are *A members), if you book Sky or Volotea your chances are zero!
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?
It's doable but if you have a one-hour-long delay on the BRU-ATH leg it becomes extremely risky; especially considering that you have no protection given that you'll be on a different ticket.