pewpew

Slightly unrelated to this thread (and I may have asked it last year, when I last flew A3 ): if I don't eat beef (or, in the case of my traveling companion, meat that isn't fish), can I gamble on at least one of the mains being something that's non-beef-containing/pescetarian, or are we doomed to special meals?

Xandrios

Every now and then one of the mains will be fish; but often both contain some form of meat - Chicken and Beef are common. If you want to be sure I'd advise ordering the seafood option beforehand. Only exception would be during fasting as meat is strictly forbidden at that time.

Tennen

What are the drink selections in Y like? The magazine always seems to show the wines that are available onboard in J or in the lounges, and off the top of my head, J drinks over the last few years haven't seen much (if any) changes. Still, I've always wondered what they have in the back.

Please keep posting! ^

Full of hot air

Is anything really strictly forbidden during fasting periods in Greece? Whoever chooses to follow the fasting periods (during Advent and Lent) can do so, but in my opinion relatively few strictly follow it. Some restos try to be trendy by offering a “fasting” menu, but meat/dairy/ovo is available everywhere... and the idea of a fasting menu partially defeats the purpose of fasting (I realise I’m heading into OT territory here). Aegean seem to follow that trend (back on topic!) in their J class menus during Lent/Advent which is really a pity for those of us who detest halva. I’m wondering why Aegean don’t just offer that menu as a religious meal request for those who choose to participate?

headingwest

Beer, white or red wine is certainly served at the back in Y, but I'm not sure if they serve it on shorter flights (i.e. VIE-ATH) because I did ask once and was given an odd look! I don't think they serve spirits.

They serve wine in glass bottles too! ^

fransknorge

Mmmhh could someone please explain more about this ? Is there a restricted service in December ? I have a return in J the first weekend of December, one evening flight and one morning flight. Will there be a reduced menu ?

Xandrios

I don't pretend to know too much about this - as I'm not following the orthodox traditions that closely either. However living in rural Greece nowadays I can tell you that a large part of the population *does* fast, especially the older generation. Not everyone will fast all the days, but the week leading up to Easter there are very few (young and old!) who do not fast. At least here where I live that is the case, perhaps in the larger cities things are a bit more relaxed.

My theory is that Aegean does not want to offend the people that do fast. Most people are religious, and while not everyone will actually fast - many will not admit to that in public. So if Aegean would offer the normal meal by default, many people will be forced to not eat anything - either because they are fasting or to save face. While personally I like the idea to make it a special meal, I don't think too many people will realize that they can actually order a special meal..it may also be expensive/a hassle for Aegean to organize so many special meals.

I don't expect that you will have problems. Those days even the most strict schedule still allows for fish. Therefore I would expect one of the options probably to include fish..but the other probably meat as well. Officially dairy and eggs are not allowed either, but I cannot imagine Aegean to be so strict, so far ahead of Christmas. Full schedule here.

DELLAS

Thanks for the link very useful ^

fransknorge

Thanks Xandrios

AlwaysonBA663

When I flew LHR-LCA on the day prior to Good Friday, Aegean mentioned in their announcement that the meal would be suitable for those who were following the fasting. Not knowing much of the Orthodox traditions I didn't know what exactly it meant, and I had a special meal anyway so didn't pay much attention.

I also remember getting some sort of cinnamon flavoured bun on the return flight LCA-LHR on Easter Monday which I hadn't experienced on any other Aegean flights before or since.

fransknorge

Well if the catering is not diminished but actually includes some specialties this is better.

KLouis

There are "different kinds" of fasting in Greece!

* strict: essentially vegan, but also forbidding olive oil.
* less strict: No meat, eggs, dairy products and fish, but other sea food is allowed. Olive oil is usually eaten.
* fake fasting: No meat, everything else goes.

Obviously, as these are not "official" rules, so you can find everything in between.

Also, different fasting periods:

* Fridays: Hardly anybody keeps that.
* 15 days before 15 August: very few people keep it.
* 40 days before X'mas: A few more keep it, less strict till St. Eleftherios (Dec 15), strict after that.
* 40 days before Easter plus the week before it: Many people keep the rules from strict to less strict, last week is very strict until and including Good Friday.

Sick people and travelers* are officially excluded from fasting by the church. I belong to the ones who never keep a church-mandated fasting but I don't mind eating the food if served by others or in restaurants. There are some excellent recipes, and come to think of it, I'll go up and cook λαχανόρυζο (cabbage risotto) for lunch

Bottom line, hardly any non-orthodox notices that (s)he is fasting when flying A3 during a fasting period.

* travelers: all of them not only Frequent Travelers!

headingwest

A3-881 VIE-ATH 16.11.17 Economy pasta with spinach. So it seems that they do serve wine on the shorter flights.

headingwest

A3-7216 ATH-RHO 16.11.17 Economy There was a choice of the mini-crackers or a sweet filled croissant

headingwest

A3-7205 RHO-ATH 19.11.17 Business
Just a snack on the domestic flight, I did miss the lemon and ice in my gin & tonic though. Although it's a short hop, they still managed to make me an expresso coffee