A3 937 Beirut - Athens leg / English Version
Hello folks! Let's go back a few months back, to that morning. It was a cold Thursday morning, at 2:30 AM when I reach out to Beirut Hariri International Airport. My flight is scheduled to depart at 4:15 AM bound for Athens with a stop to continue my journey to Frankfurt.
Flying Business tonight, not expecting a lot as I am visit Beirut Lounge (not to be confused with the iconic Cedar Lounge). Beirut Airport, being a small airport, currently has 5 lounges. The premium lounge, Cedar Lounge (Premium Middle East Airlines/Skyteam lounge) can be located to your left when going up the stairs or escalator. Followed is the two LAT lounges, to your right you will find the Byblos LAT lounge, and straight forward you will find Ahlein LAT lounge. Both lounges offer great facilities and food, but not to be compared with Cedar Lounge though (personally my second favourite lounge worldwide after Zurich SWISS lounge). Then Qatar Airways premium lounge facing Ahlein Lounge, and finally the least favourite lounge in the terminal Beirut Lounge (Barely any food/beverages - handled by MEA - this is where most of Star Alliance airlines invite their guests. Beirut Lounge should be really looked at, as it is very standard compared to other BEY lounges.
Back to the flight, below you will find the flight info:
Airline: Aegean Airlines
Alliance: Star Alliance
Frequent Flyer: Miles & Bonus (Silver tier)
Aircraft type: Airbus A319-100
Registration: SX-DGF
A319s in Aegean fleet: 1
Flight Time: 1h30
Flying class: Business Class (European configuration)
Conventional shot in Beirut - note my aircraft is already there, A319, the sole in AEE's fleet! What a chance! By the way, the A319 performance is impressive in climb rates!
Beirut Lounge
Food selection
Drinks (What's left of them anyways)
I would have expected better from Star Alliance to be honest! Should consider Ahlein or LAT lounge next time!
Time to walk toward -DGF!
Just by the gates, a few other concession shops before you finally board, for a small airport, this is really generous!
Time to board the Airbus 319
Flight a3 937
Welcome drink was only Orange juice on this flight in J Class, would have preferred a champagne!
My seat is 1A, very first row, very first passenger, I was passenger number one on this flight ;)
The menu is also distributed, have a look, what would you choose?
Good bye Beirut, you've been great! Last passengers boarding, and yes! Passenger number one can see who is in the jet bridge!
And here is my row, all for myself. While pushing back, we were distributed the famous Aegean sweets, they are really good! But of course, SWISS wins with their chocolates.
Now airborne, time to wait for the food
Airfi on board, that is no wifi, but make sure you have the Aegean App installed before your flight in order to be able to use the service!
Asked for sparkling water, the drinks are all from Greece.
And then came my dish, I was the first served, I could tell you, the smell coming from the galley was tempting. For an almost 2 hours flight, check what I was given, I opted for the greek eggs:
That was quite generous, and tasty, and service was great. Nice cat and mouse set by the way! (Salt and Pepper)
I have then asked for a good wine, unlike economy, you get served in a glass, although in economy they give you a whole small bottle.
The pillow.. and then comes the wine
Then began our approach shortly after the trays were taken away. It was a rainy and windy approach.
After landing in Athens, a private bus picked us up, before the economy passengers and took us to the terminal, where connection was smooth and fast.
Many thanks for reading the report, let me know what you think about it?
Breakfast catering is not my favourite, for sure.
Thanks to share ;)