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Best Airlines to Fly to Greece

Best Airlines to Fly to Greece
Latest posts by Candis Pope (see all)

One of the best places in the world to visit is Greece. As someone who has traveled throughout Europe, Greece is definitely on the top of the list. But of course, the main priority when vacationing in Greece is figuring out how you’re going to get there. Well, I’ve flown there while in Europe and when coming from other countries.

Depending on my flight route, I chose different airlines each time. Through my experiences, I’ve learned which carriers are the best airlines to fly to Greece. In this guide, I’ll break down my top picks and why I chose them. Read on for more helpful information.

My Favorite Airline for Flying to Greece

My favorite airline to fly to Greece is American Airlines. It’s one of my go-to air carriers for international flights. The well-known Greek airlines don’t fly out of the USA, so I have to choose another option. American Airlines is comfortable, and I usually use reward points to book my flights. 

Not to mention, American has a good track record for being on time and making sure luggage arrives at the intended destination. Plus, I like the staff. In my opinion, they’re always friendly and professional.

How to Transfer Amex Points to American Airlines

My Top Picks at a Glance

There are two airlines that I opt for the most when flying to Greece. The first, of course, is American Airlines. Again, they’re a trusted air carrier that I can use when flying out of North America. The next is Aegean Airlines. When I’m in Europe, it’s my go-to air carrier. I like their service, and I can often find good flight deals. Flying within Europe is generally less expensive, especially if I choose Economy Light airfare.

My Advice for Flying to Greece

Know the Airline’s Baggage Restrictions

Be aware of the baggage restrictions of your airline. Most airlines have a weight limit for checked luggage, so it is important to pack light. Trust me, I’ve had to pay extra fees for my bags being a couple of pounds over the limit. Not that all European airlines are strict, but some are. You want to save your money for exploring Greece, not pay extra luggage fees.

Get Flight Insurance

This is always important when traveling, but even more so when going to a country like Greece. Flight insurance will cover you in case of any unforeseen delays or cancellations. When I’m planning a big trip, I don’t want to lose out on money.

Use Reward Points

I try to save as much money as possible when flying to Greece. The Euro is stronger than the US dollar, so I cut corners where I can. For instance, I like to use my AAdvantage miles to pay for flights. I’ll also use my credit card points as well. If you have any kind of reward miles or points, I suggest saving them for your Greek vacation.

aadvantage

Selection Criteria

There are a few things that I used to come up with this list of recommended airlines. Here’s a breakdown:

Luggage Safety

When I travel to Greece, I want all of my belongings. I need my outfits so that I can take plenty of pictures. The last thing I need is to have my luggage lost. So, I opt for an air carrier that has a good track record of keeping up with bags. I usually research it if it’s my first time flying with a certain airline. Then, if I have a good experience, I continue to fly with airlines that I feel are responsible.

Good Prices

Some European countries are inexpensive and others aren’t. Generally, Greece costs a pretty penny. Although, I’ve budget traveled to Greece before and still had an amazing time. But either way, I like to save the bulk of my money for when I arrive. Therefore, I look for airlines with affordable flight deals.

I can usually find cheap airfare with the air carriers mentioned in this article. But I must say, I’ve never taken a last-minute trip to Greece, and my schedule has always been flexible. I search around for flight deals and wait until the prices are low.

Comfort

On long-haul flights, I must be comfortable—even when I fly Economy. Airlines like American and British Airways are most comfy to me. I guess that’s a good thing, considering that I usually take my longest flights to Greece on either of them. However, Aegean Airlines and Olympic are comfy too. I just notice a slight difference with those two. But in most cases, my flight with  Aegean or Olympic is short, so it works out.

My Top Product Recommendations

Aegean Airlines

aegean airlines

Aegean Airlines is a Greek airline that is headquartered in Athens. It is the largest airline in Greece and flies to over 60 destinations around the world. There are no routes origin routes from the United States, but I like to fly with Aegean Airlines when I’m country hopping through Europe.

Their baggage allowance includes one free checked bag for Economy ComfortFlex and two checked bags for Business Class. Unfortunately, Economy Light is not granted checked bags. Passengers receive complimentary food and beverages, as well as in-flight entertainment.

Pros

  • Great customer service

I really liked the customer service of Aegean Airlines. The flight attendants were attentive and friendly, and they went out of their way to make sure passengers were comfortable.

  • On-time arrivals

I really appreciate that Aegean Airlines has a good track record for on-time arrivals. I’ve flown with them several times and my flights have always arrived on time or close to on time.

  • Free checked baggage

It helps that I don’t have to pay for checked bags when I fly in upper flight classes. I always look for airlines that offer free checked luggage when I know that I’ll be traveling for an extended period of time.

Cons

  • No flights from the US

Since I live in the United States, it’d be nice if there were flights from here. I have to fly into another country first before I can take an Aegean Airlines flight to Greece. But, I make sure to take advantage of flying with Aegean once I’m in Europe.

  • Baggage fees for Economy Light

Another downside of Aegean Airlines is that they charge baggage fees for those flying in Economy Light. If you’re planning on bringing a lot of luggage with you, it might be better to fly with another airline. If I fly with Aegean Airlines to country hop, I weigh my pros and cons. Sometimes it’s a better deal to get an Economy Light ticket and pay for additional bags.

Olympic Air

olympic air

Olympic Air is another Greek airline that is headquartered in Athens. It is a subsidiary of Aegean Airlines and flies to over 30 destinations. Similar to Aegean Airlines, there are no flights from the United States. The baggage allowance for Olympic Air is the same as Aegean as well. You are allowed one free checked bag in Economy ComfortFlex and two checked bags in Business Class. Furthermore, passengers also receive complimentary food and beverages, as well as in-flight entertainment.

Pros

  • Customer service is amazing

The customer service on Olympic Air is wonderful. I received great service on my flight and the staff was very attentive.

  • The food is good

I was pleasantly surprised by the food on Olympic Air. I was expecting the typical airplane food, but the meal was actually really good.

  • On-time arrivals

Olympic Air has a good track record for on-time arrivals, which is always a plus. I don’t like being delayed to my destination, unless there’s a serious safety risk.

Cons

  • Delayed Flights

Although Olympic Air usually arrives on time, but I have experienced delays with the airline before. So, I’m usually a bit on edge when I fly with them. However, I make sure that my schedule is flexible just in case there are any delays.

American Airlines

american airlines

Since the major Greek airlines have no routes in the United States, I like to fly to Greece with American Airlines. They have flights from several major cities in the United States, including Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, and New York City. The baggage allowance for American Airlines is different from the previous two airlines. You are allowed one free checked bag and one carry-on bag. 

Pros

  • Free checked baggage

I like that American Airlines offers free checked baggage because I usually travel with a lot of luggage. It’s nice to not have to worry about paying extra fees.

  • Good Food

When flying domestically on American Airlines, the snacks are pretty basic. Usually, they service Biscoff cookies and pretzels. However, the food they serve on international flights is pretty good. I’ve had some really good meals on American Airlines flights to Greece.

  • No baggage fees for carry-ons

I also appreciate that there are no baggage fees for carry-on bags. I usually try to bring an extra bag with me when I fly internationally—just in case my checked bag gets lost.

Cons

  • Fees for Additional Checked Bags

The fees for additional bags with American Airlines are pretty steep when flying to Greece. You can expect to pay about $100 for a second piece of luggage. However, there are some exceptions for higher flight classes and American Airlines credit card members.

British Airways

British Airways

British Airways is another option for those looking to fly to Greece from the United States and in Europe. They offer flights from several major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City. The baggage allowance for British Airways is similar to that of American Airlines. You are allowed one free checked bag and one carry-on bag.

Pros

  • Good Customer Service

I have always had good experiences with British Airways in terms of customer service. The staff is always professional and helpful. I like attentive flight crew, and British Airways definitely delivers in that area.

  • Comfortable Seats

I was really comfortable when I flew on British Airways, even though I was seated in the main cabin. Every aircraft is different, and you never know how the seat will feel or how much legroom you’ll have. But to my surprise, the British Airways seats were very relaxing.

Cons

  • Long Lines at Check-In

I’ve found that the lines at British Airways check-in can be very long, especially in busy airports. I’ve waited in line for over an hour before. So, if you’re flying British Airways, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to check in.

Seel also: British Airways vs American Airlines

FAQs Regarding Flying to Greece

Question: Is a visa required to fly to Greece?

Answer: Yes, visitors from most countries will need a visa to enter Greece. Check with your local Greek embassy or consulate to find out the specific requirements. There are no visa requirements for entry into Greece with US citizenship. However, a passport is still required.

Question: What Greek city should I fly into?

Answer: Your best bet is to fly into Athens, the capital of Greece. From there, you can easily reach any other destination in the country. Some of the islands are reachable by plane. You might have to take a boat depending on where you’re going.

Question: What is the best time of year to visit Greece?

Answer: The best time to visit Greece is from April to June, and September to October. These months offer the best weather, as well as smaller crowds and lower prices. In my opinion, Greece always feels nice. But, my decision to go there in the off-season has more to do with the crowds than the weather.

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My Final Thoughts on Flying to Greece

Well, there you have it! The air carriers mentioned above are the airlines that I think are the best for flying to Greece. Of course, there are several other options, but these are the ones that I trust the most. The staff is friendly, prices are affordable, and they get me to my destination on time. If you’re flying within Europe, I definitely recommend either Aegean or British Airways. Those two will provide the best flight experience.  

I hope this guide helps you choose the right airline to fly to Greece. Enjoy your vacation!

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