Greece’s Aegean Airways has simply introduced an enchanting improvement, because the airline might be introducing a subfleet of Airbus A321neos, which might be longer vary, and in a a lot much less dense configuration.
Aegean will fly 4 A321LRs in premium configuration
Star Alliance member Aegean completely flies Airbus A320-family plane, and the airline is at present modernizing its fleet with new A320neos and A321neos, all of that are in a regional configuration. That might be altering ultimately, however just for a subfleet of plane.
Aegean has made the choice to put money into 4 Airbus A321neos with an prolonged vary functionality, and in a extra snug configuration, to function longer flights. Now, the airline talks about how these jets might be A321neos with “further gas tanks, offering operational functionality for flights as much as 7.5 hours.” It sounds to me just like the airline is buying 4 A321LRs, although that’s not explicitly acknowledged in that manner (in equity, the A321LR is a variant of the A321neo).
It gained’t simply be the vary of those planes that’s particular, but additionally the configuration. Whereas Aegean’s customary A321neos are configured with 220 seats, these particular jets will function fewer than 180 seats. On prime of that, they’ll have satellite tv for pc connectivity, private leisure screens at each seat, and lie flat seats in enterprise class. That’s a whole lot of firsts for the airline.
The corporate is predicted to host a media occasion within the coming weeks with the small print of those plane. These planes are anticipated to be delivered in 2026 and 2027.
Right here’s how Aegean Airways CEO Dimitris Gerogiannis describes these planes:
“We consider within the nice alternative for AEGEAN and for our nation that lies in growing markets past the EU, both within the Gulf space, Africa or in areas of Asia which might be served with a particular, prolonged vary, model of the A321neo given our location within the southeast fringe of Europe. We additional acknowledge the need of a cabin with a considerably larger consolation and expertise options to successfully signify AEGEAN’s service values, for our passengers in these markets. We’re making a big funding within the prolonged vary and a completely new degree of consolation for an preliminary 4 plane sub-fleet to present our crews the proper software to greatest signify AEGEAN values for these longer flight markets. It’s yet another huge step in the direction of rising our attain and capabilities and we sit up for welcoming our passengers from these markets to this new degree of expertise with us within the years to come back.”
The place will Aegean fly these particular plane?
Aegean states that these new plane will primarily be used to function flights within the vary of 4-7.5 hours, to locations to the south and southeast of Greece. These planes might be used for service to each current and new non-EU locations.
Aegean signifies that these planes will primarily fly to the Center East and Africa:
- Of current locations, they might fly to Dubai (DXB), Jeddah (JED), and Riyadh (RUH)
- We may additionally see growth to Bahrain (BAH), Doha (DOH), and Muscat (MCT)
- The airline sees potential in Africa, in Addis Ababa (ADD), Lagos (LOS), and Nairobi (NBO)
- The airline additionally sees potential in Asia, with flights to Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), and Almaty (ALA)
Admittedly all of these routes in all probability aren’t practical with such a small subfleet, however it appears like these are the locations that Aegean might be selecting from.
What a cool improvement for Aegean!
I’m an enormous fan of Aegean Airways. Whereas there’s not a lot to get enthusiastic about with quick haul configured plane inside Europe, the airline has an outstanding mushy product. The airline nonetheless serves free meals and drinks in financial system, and the enterprise class service is manner higher than what you’ll discover on most European airways.
The airline can also be run in a really disciplined method. Selfishly, I’ve lengthy stated that I want Aegean would begin lengthy haul service, together with to the US, as I’d like to fly with the airline extra. The factor is, that may’t be achieved in a constantly worthwhile foundation year-round. So the airline is wise for avoiding these sorts of flights, even when there can be status to it.
Sadly Greece is so removed from the US that even the brand new Airbus A321XLR couldn’t make that journey, so Aegean would wish extensive physique plane. I determine what Aegean is doing right here is the following smartest thing — the airline is ready to keep fleet consistency when it comes to utilizing the Airbus A320-family of plane, whereas enhancing the experiencing on some routes.
Backside line
Aegean might be taking supply of 4 longer vary Airbus A321neos (presumably A321LRs), which the airline will use for 4-7.5 hour flights to non-EU locations. Whereas the provider’s customary A321neos have 220 seats, these new planes may have fewer than 180 seats, with flat beds in enterprise class, seat again leisure, and extra. What a enjoyable improvement!
What do you make of Aegean’s evolution?
