Review of Cobalt flight Larnaca → Athens in Economy

Background:

I had been living in Athens for 2 years and before heading back home I wanted to visit some destinations which are easier to reach from Greece than from my own country. Among some Greek islands, Lebanon and Cyprus were also on the list.

Besides visiting a new destination, as usual, I also wanted to try some new airlines and the ATH-LCA route offered a good choice: Aegean and Emirates (not new to me) and Blueair and Cobalt.
So I booked the outbound flight with the Romanian airline and the inbound with the Cypriot.

Cobalt is a new low cost airline in Cyprus which started operations last July flying from LCA to Greece, UK and Ireland.

I was a bit reluctant to fly with them, because when I bought the ticket they were not even flying yet, and the start of operations might be delayed, etc… but as I have worked myself for 2 start up airlines I wanted to give them some credit.

2 weeks before flying over there, Cobalt was in the news due to long delays, apparently there was a delay in bringing their second aircraft and they had to wet lease a portuguese 320 from Everjets.
I was then starting to panick, will I have to suffer a long delay or fly with the wet leased aircraft??? Keep reading to find out :)

The airport:

LCA terminal is a new and compact building and it is very easy to find your way around.

On arrival I spotted both the Cobalt and Everjets aircraft parked on a remote stand…..I still don´t know which one will take me home….

Check-in:

Cobalt offered web check.in, but no seat selection, not even for a fee.
I was automatically assigned a window seat in the center of the aircraft, I will try to change the seat at the airport.

Cobalt had their own designated check-in area well branded with several totems, there were not many people in line, and soon after I got another window seat at the back of the aircraft.

Security checks were not crowded either and in a matter of seconds I was airside, ready to explore a new terminal and its lounge.
I really liked this little terminal which has a lot of natural light.

Today´s departures:

My flight still on time, but I still don´t know which aircraft will fly me home today….

The lounge:

I visited the Swissport lounge, which was very quiet today.

Food and drinks selection:


Boarding:

Boarding was on time and by bus, so I will not know if I will fy the Cobalt metal until the very last moment….
It seems it´s my lucky day :)


On board:

We were greated by a very smiling flight attendant and I went straight to my seat.

The cabin was clean but looked a little bit outdated.

Legroom shot:

All signs both in Greek and English:

I do not like when an airline gets a new plane and they do not change the language of these signs.
I have flown so many airplanes around the world displaying an ´EXIT-SALIDA´sign :)

The reading material:

Safety card, Buy on board menu and a random magazine, which I didn´t even bother to read.

Food offering:

I didn´t buy anything, as I already helped myself at the lounge….
Flight was uneventful, and outside it was getting dark as we were approaching ATH:


Cyprus is a nice holiday destination, though distances are very long, forget here about your average Greek or Spanish island, this is a country itself and you will need a lot of time in order to visit all.
I was here on a short 3 day break and visited some cities, ancient sites and beaches.