Feb 23, 2015, 6:35 am
Last edit by: NWIFlyer
With the evolution of the Miles&Bonus program, there are a number of threads on this forum that contain outdated information, plus a further set that - whilst describing the new program - contain conflicting information that has only been crystallised as we all discover how certain aspects of the program either work or are interpreted.
It is perhaps therefore unsurprising that many new members find searching through this myriad of threads a little daunting, and consequently they post a question in one of the FAQ threads.
This tends to irk those who've been around for a while who expect the new posters to at least do some basic searching before posting a question that has probably been asked many times before. This also causes the forums to become very congested and less easy to read through with the same question being asked and answered many times.
I am therefore creating a thread, which will be stickied, for anyone to ask any question they like about the M&B program where they are unsure or it's not obvious where they should be posting it.
There is no such thing in this thread as a stupid question, no issue with asking a repeat question, and any answers should be 100% flame-free. I will take a dim view of anyone that abuses a member or provides a less than helpful answer (such as 'do a search') to any question asked in here, because this is being created to benefit all of us so the other threads flow more cleanly. Thank you for your co-operation on this.
It might be that I move questions to more appropriate threads so they receive an answer more quickly, but if I do so I will always add a note to indicate where they originated, and ask that the flame-free answer principle be respected.
NWIFlyer
Moderator
Aegean M&B
It is perhaps therefore unsurprising that many new members find searching through this myriad of threads a little daunting, and consequently they post a question in one of the FAQ threads.
This tends to irk those who've been around for a while who expect the new posters to at least do some basic searching before posting a question that has probably been asked many times before. This also causes the forums to become very congested and less easy to read through with the same question being asked and answered many times.
I am therefore creating a thread, which will be stickied, for anyone to ask any question they like about the M&B program where they are unsure or it's not obvious where they should be posting it.
There is no such thing in this thread as a stupid question, no issue with asking a repeat question, and any answers should be 100% flame-free. I will take a dim view of anyone that abuses a member or provides a less than helpful answer (such as 'do a search') to any question asked in here, because this is being created to benefit all of us so the other threads flow more cleanly. Thank you for your co-operation on this.
It might be that I move questions to more appropriate threads so they receive an answer more quickly, but if I do so I will always add a note to indicate where they originated, and ask that the flame-free answer principle be respected.
NWIFlyer
Moderator
Aegean M&B
Flame-Free Questions on A3 - ask your newbie (and not so newbie) questions here
Jun 13, 2017, 12:48 am
#1306
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 12
Hi all,
My upcoming trip on A3 involves a connection at ATH. I will be arriving from IST (non-schengen) and departing for Amman (non-schengen). A3 website states that there will be passport control for this type of itinerary.
I've done similar non-schengen to non-schengen transits at FRA, CDG, ZRH, MXP, and a handful other Schengen airports without having to go through passport control (taking advantage of TWOV). Is TWOV allowed at ATH?
Thanks!
My upcoming trip on A3 involves a connection at ATH. I will be arriving from IST (non-schengen) and departing for Amman (non-schengen). A3 website states that there will be passport control for this type of itinerary.
I've done similar non-schengen to non-schengen transits at FRA, CDG, ZRH, MXP, and a handful other Schengen airports without having to go through passport control (taking advantage of TWOV). Is TWOV allowed at ATH?
Thanks!
Jun 13, 2017, 1:49 am
#1307
Community Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,480
Unless there is a rare configuration I haven't seen yet, there are no misaligned or missing windows in the first few rows on A3 aircraft. You should be perfectly safe choosing either row.
Jun 13, 2017, 2:09 am
#1308
Community Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,480
Hi all,
My upcoming trip on A3 involves a connection at ATH. I will be arriving from IST (non-schengen) and departing for Amman (non-schengen). A3 website states that there will be passport control for this type of itinerary.
I've done similar non-schengen to non-schengen transits at FRA, CDG, ZRH, MXP, and a handful other Schengen airports without having to go through passport control (taking advantage of TWOV). Is TWOV allowed at ATH?
Thanks!
My upcoming trip on A3 involves a connection at ATH. I will be arriving from IST (non-schengen) and departing for Amman (non-schengen). A3 website states that there will be passport control for this type of itinerary.
I've done similar non-schengen to non-schengen transits at FRA, CDG, ZRH, MXP, and a handful other Schengen airports without having to go through passport control (taking advantage of TWOV). Is TWOV allowed at ATH?
Thanks!
ATH airport is configured such that passengers from all flights, irrespective of origin, end up in the common arrivals area. You will clear customs, go through passport control and proceed to the departures area. Customs is a non-event in Europe these days, and I've rarely seen any sort of queue at immigration.
TWOV is possible in ATH, but you should check your eligibility using Timatic.
Jun 13, 2017, 2:17 am
#1309
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Finland
Posts: 38
I believe that in the usual Aegean configuration it goes like 1.Aligned 2. Misaligned 3. Aligned .... etc. or the opposite. I can't really remember, maybe I have seen both.
Jun 13, 2017, 2:32 am
#1310
Community Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,480
By misalignment I don't refer to complete misalignment but slight where in every two seats you don't have the window next to your face but you have to lean a bit frontwards or backwards. This is common in most airlines' a320 series or 737 configurations.
I believe that in the usual Aegean configuration it goes like 1.Aligned 2. Misaligned 3. Aligned .... etc. or the opposite. I can't really remember, maybe I have seen both.
I believe that in the usual Aegean configuration it goes like 1.Aligned 2. Misaligned 3. Aligned .... etc. or the opposite. I can't really remember, maybe I have seen both.
Jun 13, 2017, 2:34 am
#1311
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Paris
Programs: Miles&Bonus *G
Posts: 318
By misalignment I don't refer to complete misalignment but slight where in every two seats you don't have the window next to your face but you have to lean a bit frontwards or backwards. This is common in most airlines' a320 series or 737 configurations.
I believe that in the usual Aegean configuration it goes like 1.Aligned 2. Misaligned 3. Aligned .... etc. or the opposite. I can't really remember, maybe I have seen both.
I believe that in the usual Aegean configuration it goes like 1.Aligned 2. Misaligned 3. Aligned .... etc. or the opposite. I can't really remember, maybe I have seen both.
I've flown both rows, and I don't remember having to lean forward in any case.
Jun 13, 2017, 5:39 am
#1312
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PAS, Paros Greece
Programs: A3 *G
Posts: 1,375
By misalignment I don't refer to complete misalignment but slight where in every two seats you don't have the window next to your face but you have to lean a bit frontwards or backwards. This is common in most airlines' a320 series or 737 configurations.
I believe that in the usual Aegean configuration it goes like 1.Aligned 2. Misaligned 3. Aligned .... etc. or the opposite. I can't really remember, maybe I have seen both.
I believe that in the usual Aegean configuration it goes like 1.Aligned 2. Misaligned 3. Aligned .... etc. or the opposite. I can't really remember, maybe I have seen both.
http://money-tourism.gr/wp-content/u...n_business.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wllcNfZ9UzI/maxresdefault.jpg
http://www.aviationguru.com/wp-conte...8/P1030103.jpg
You can see the fist few rows clearly. To be honest, it makes little difference as there is enough seat-pitch up front that you always get at least a whole window. I must admit I usually go for row 3 if 1 isn't available. I like having a place to lean my head to nap and yet not really having to lean far to see out of the window (row 2 has the window directly next to your head, which I find better if I'm in the mood for some inflight photography or filming the takeoff/landing but not so good for sleeping). It all depends what you want really...
I guess, as already said, some configurations are different, but those photos are exactly what I have experienced on all the flights I can remember.
Jun 13, 2017, 3:06 pm
#1313
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: A3*G
Posts: 128
/edit: Let us know about your choice and experience later on!
Jun 13, 2017, 6:34 pm
#1314
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,567
There are several different configurations of aircraft, including a few with no bulkhead directly in front of 1A/C which likely means the seats are positioned slightly differently, so it is probably impossible to give a definitive answer - however, nothing is so grossly misaligned that viewing out requires a contortionist!
Given that, keeping the same pitch as with the new seats, their backs are a couple of centimetres wider, the alignment to the window is certainly different from what the pictures provided (new seats) show.
Jun 14, 2017, 2:05 am
#1315
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Finland
Posts: 38
Thanks a lot guys for all the responses for a slightly silly question.
@Knobbgb , hah, yeah I am a bit picky and that's exactly what I am also usually doing depending on whether I want to sleep or just stay awake and enjoy the view. In this case I was looking something like the row 2 situation that you described. But as others noted the configuration in A3 varies and that's what I also thought from the beginning. In some airlines like Finnair it's usually fixed so I know what to expect
. But it's no big deal, I'll probably get row 2, but it doesn't matter that much as long as it is a window seat.
@Knobbgb , hah, yeah I am a bit picky and that's exactly what I am also usually doing depending on whether I want to sleep or just stay awake and enjoy the view. In this case I was looking something like the row 2 situation that you described. But as others noted the configuration in A3 varies and that's what I also thought from the beginning. In some airlines like Finnair it's usually fixed so I know what to expect
. But it's no big deal, I'll probably get row 2, but it doesn't matter that much as long as it is a window seat.
Jun 14, 2017, 7:06 am
#1316
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,567
Thanks a lot guys for all the responses for a slightly silly question.
@Knobbgb , hah, yeah I am a bit picky and that's exactly what I am also usually doing depending on whether I want to sleep or just stay awake and enjoy the view. In this case I was looking something like the row 2 situation that you described. But as others noted the configuration in A3 varies and that's what I also thought from the beginning. In some airlines like Finnair it's usually fixed so I know what to expect. But it's no big deal, I'll probably get row 2, but it doesn't matter that much as long as it is a window seat.
@Knobbgb , hah, yeah I am a bit picky and that's exactly what I am also usually doing depending on whether I want to sleep or just stay awake and enjoy the view. In this case I was looking something like the row 2 situation that you described. But as others noted the configuration in A3 varies and that's what I also thought from the beginning. In some airlines like Finnair it's usually fixed so I know what to expect
. But it's no big deal, I'll probably get row 2, but it doesn't matter that much as long as it is a window seat.
Last edited by KLouis; Jun 15, 2017 at 7:23 pm
Jun 20, 2017, 3:31 am
#1318
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: CPH
Programs: SK, A3, QR
Posts: 220
Quote:
Originally Posted by groovyfly View Post
Can someone advise me on the minium connecting time in ATH?
I'm looking at two A3 flights, TLV-ATH scheduled to arrive at 7:50 and ATH-CPH scheduled to depart at 8:30.
It can't be booked through A3 website, so this might be self-explanatory, but still wanted to double check: Is 40 minutes to connect not enough to if I travel with hand luggage only? I know it's tight and I come from outside of schengen, but is it not possible to do?
Thanks
Don't ignore that even when the plane reaches the gate, you still need a jetbridge, the ability to get off the plane very quickly (if you're not in J add a few more minutes), and get to your next gate before it closes, so in reality you only really have about 20 minutes, even if on time, so 40 minutes on separate tickets is definitely not enough. You could run everywhere, hope for no queues at immigration and security, and just about make it before they closed the gate, but it's far, far more likely the second flight will be toast - I'd say a 90%+ possibility. This is not an itinerary I would ever consider.
If everything works well you'd need an hour, on separate tickets I'd be allowing at least two, probably more given the financial consequences of having to pay for a last minute CPH flight - you're not dealing with a low cost trip domestic trip with many flights per day so the risk is exponentially higher.
A quick update on the above. Just made a new search and A3 have changed their schedule adding 10 minutes to the connection time: Arrival time has changed from 7:50 to 7:40 meaning a 50 minute connection in ATH. Flight is now offered for sale through A3 website, so now I guess A3 will fix a new ticket if TLV-ATH is too late on arrival to catch ATH-CPH.
Originally Posted by groovyfly View Post
Can someone advise me on the minium connecting time in ATH?
I'm looking at two A3 flights, TLV-ATH scheduled to arrive at 7:50 and ATH-CPH scheduled to depart at 8:30.
It can't be booked through A3 website, so this might be self-explanatory, but still wanted to double check: Is 40 minutes to connect not enough to if I travel with hand luggage only? I know it's tight and I come from outside of schengen, but is it not possible to do?
Thanks
Don't ignore that even when the plane reaches the gate, you still need a jetbridge, the ability to get off the plane very quickly (if you're not in J add a few more minutes), and get to your next gate before it closes, so in reality you only really have about 20 minutes, even if on time, so 40 minutes on separate tickets is definitely not enough. You could run everywhere, hope for no queues at immigration and security, and just about make it before they closed the gate, but it's far, far more likely the second flight will be toast - I'd say a 90%+ possibility. This is not an itinerary I would ever consider.
If everything works well you'd need an hour, on separate tickets I'd be allowing at least two, probably more given the financial consequences of having to pay for a last minute CPH flight - you're not dealing with a low cost trip domestic trip with many flights per day so the risk is exponentially higher.
A quick update on the above. Just made a new search and A3 have changed their schedule adding 10 minutes to the connection time: Arrival time has changed from 7:50 to 7:40 meaning a 50 minute connection in ATH. Flight is now offered for sale through A3 website, so now I guess A3 will fix a new ticket if TLV-ATH is too late on arrival to catch ATH-CPH.
Jun 20, 2017, 4:45 am
#1319
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,567
...A quick update on the above. Just made a new search and A3 have changed their schedule adding 10 minutes to the connection time: Arrival time has changed from 7:50 to 7:40 meaning a 50 minute connection in ATH. Flight is now offered for sale through A3 website, so now I guess A3 will fix a new ticket if TLV-ATH is too late on arrival to catch ATH-CPH.
Jun 26, 2017, 9:46 am
#1320
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,812
Before I posted this I read a few older posts and think I should be fine. However, I just want to ask again just to make sure.
I'm flying DBV-ATH/ATH-HER on two separate PNRs with A3/OA with a 1.5 hr connection. I purchased it as two separate GoLight fares since the price difference was quite substantial compared to booking it as one PNR. If I have a checked bag, will they charge me the fee once or twice at DBV? Also, I'm guessing the check-in agents at DBV should be able to tag my bags all the way to HER since it's on A3/OA the entire way? From what I read, 1.5hr should be more than enough time to transit through ATH as long as the flight from DBV arrives on-time?
Thanks!
I'm flying DBV-ATH/ATH-HER on two separate PNRs with A3/OA with a 1.5 hr connection. I purchased it as two separate GoLight fares since the price difference was quite substantial compared to booking it as one PNR. If I have a checked bag, will they charge me the fee once or twice at DBV? Also, I'm guessing the check-in agents at DBV should be able to tag my bags all the way to HER since it's on A3/OA the entire way? From what I read, 1.5hr should be more than enough time to transit through ATH as long as the flight from DBV arrives on-time?
Thanks!
What's funny is that I received a paper for a free domestic flight due to a delay on the ATH-HER flight. However, I didn't receive one from my flight from DBV-ATH which would've been more useful.