REVIEW | Aegean Business Lounge, Athens International Airport, Area B-Intra Schengen

During a lovely dinner in February 2023, Steve, Philippe and I decided to visit Athens during the – Catholic – Easter Holiday. As I was lucky to have the full Easter weekend – Saturday, Sunday and Monday – off, I booked flights and a room. Steve and Philippe arrived in the capital of Greece two days earlier. It wasn’t Orthodox Easter, so for the Athenians, it was a normal, low-season, weekend.

A good business class lounge at an airport can be a great way to pass the time, using WiFi, eat and drink. For me, it’s an important perk of flying business class. Athens International Airport ‘Eleftherios Venizelos’ (Διεθνής Αερολιμένας Αθηνών «Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος») has two lounges at the intra-Schengen gates. The Lufthansa Business Lounge and the Aegean Business Lounge.

Sneak peek at the Lufthansa Business Lounge

From security, you have to walk quite a distance to find the two lounges. They’re next to each other. The Lufthansa Business Lounge is the smallest of the two. I did go inside to take some photos.

The food and beverages offering looks good. The seating area is small and it was peak hour for the lounge. So I immediately went next door. Philippe and Steve were behind as the had to check their luggage and check-in hadn’t started when we arrived at the airport.

Aegean Business Lounge

Danny visited both lounges in 2019. Four years ago and pre-pandemic. A COVID-19. Companies’ favourite excuse to provide less service and having customers pay more.

So I went with quite low expectations. Our last hotel lounges weren’t that great.

Introduction

“The use of high quality materials, like marble, mosaic, glass and wood, create a contemporary space of modern aesthetic inspired from the Greek architecture. The relaxed ambience, creates the proper conditions in order to meet your needs, depending on the flight and the hour of the day”, says the Aegean website. Se for yourself on the photos if you feel that is accurate.

“You can relax in the sitting area and have your coffee, taste the available buffet choices in the dining room or work in peace before your departure. In our renewed menu, you will find a variety of snacks, while you can enjoy new ideas of hot and cold dishes, salads, sandwiches, healthy meals and sweets. A brand new wine bar is there to complete the experience, offering a variety of drinks and wine labels from Greek producers along with various snacks. The lounge area offers charging stations, daily press for all visitors and also free internet access.”

That is true, I must say.

Offering

The seating options aren’t spectacular. Low tables, high tables, eating tables. Some fauteuils as well. Charging points indeed, but not everywhere. I found myself a regular-height table to sit and eat and defended it with my fiercest bitch looks. Yes, it was crowded.

The food and beverage offering is quite comprehensive. There were ‘real meal’ options. Meat, fish, soup. Greek specialities. But also sandwiches.Cold cuts, cheese, finger food. And dessert options including rice pudding, chocolate mousse tiramisu and cheese cake.

To drink? Water, soft drinks, alcohol and hot drinks. All items were freely accessible.

The buffet was popular. The lounge was popular. Staff was overwhelmed a bit but managed. We saw some costumers being really impatient and rude.