Aegean Airlines
EU CarrierA3 / AEE · GR
Aegean Airlines: Airline Profile & Passenger Guide
Aegean Airlines (IATA: A3) is the largest airline in Greece and the country's flag carrier. Based in Athens, the airline operates from its main hub at Athens International Airport (ATH), with additional bases at Thessaloniki (SKG) and seasonal operations across Greek island airports. Aegean serves over 75 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, carrying approximately 15 million passengers annually.
EC261 Legal Status - Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines is an EU-registered carrier based in Greece. EC261 applies to all Aegean-operated flights departing from any EU/EEA airport and to Aegean flights arriving into the EU from non-EU countries. The responsible NEB is the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (CAA Greece). Greece applies a 5-year limitation period for EC261 claims.
€250 - €600
EC261 compensation is set by route distance: €250 for flights under 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km. Most Aegean routes are short- to medium-haul within Europe, placing the majority of claims in the €250–€400 range.
- Athens to Thessaloniki (302 km): €250
- Athens to London Heathrow (2,392 km): €400
- Athens to Paris CDG (2,108 km): €400
- Thessaloniki to Munich (1,279 km): €250
The fleet is composed entirely of Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, making Aegean one of Europe's most modern single-type narrowbody operators. The airline is a member of Star Alliance, providing extensive connectivity through partners like Lufthansa, United, and Turkish Airlines. Aegean has won the Skytrax award for Best Regional Airline in Europe multiple times.
Aegean has a good punctuality record by European standards, helped by the generally favorable weather conditions at its Greek bases. The airline is also known for relatively fast claims processing, with a typical response time of around 14 days - notably quicker than most European carriers.
Not every disruption qualifies for compensation. Understanding the most common causes can help you assess whether your delay was within the airline's control.
Common Causes
Why Aegean Flights Get Disrupted
- Summer peak congestion at Athens and Greek island airports - high seasonal demand strains capacity
- Tight turnarounds on island-hopping routes - short ground times leave little buffer for delays
- ATC flow restrictions across Greek and eastern Mediterranean airspace
- Strong winds (Meltemi) in the Aegean Sea affecting island airport operations, particularly on exposed runways
- Occasional technical delays - though the modern neo fleet minimizes these occurrences
How to Claim Directly from Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines provides an email-based claims process. Passengers can submit EC261 compensation requests through the airline's online contact form or by emailing contact@aegeanair.com directly. You will need your booking reference, flight number and date, passenger names, and a description of the disruption. Attach your boarding pass and any relevant disruption notifications.
DIY Process
How to Claim Directly from Aegean
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1
Gather your booking reference, flight number, date, boarding pass, and any communications from Aegean about the disruption
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2
Submit your claim via Aegean's online form or email contact@aegeanair.com with all documentation attached
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3
Aegean typically responds within 14 days - faster than most European carriers
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4
If rejected, escalate to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority or the NEB of your departure country
Aegean is notable for its relatively fast response time of approximately 14 days - well below the industry average. The airline has a reputation for handling straightforward claims efficiently. However, rejections do occur, particularly for disruptions attributed to weather conditions at island airports or ATC restrictions.
Aegean Airlines flight disrupted?
Check your eligibility and claim up to €600 in compensation.
Passenger
J. SMITH
Flight
BA 2761
LHR
London
BCN
Barcelona
STATUS
3H DELAYPassenger
M. JOHNSON
Flight
KL 1009
AMS
Amsterdam
FCO
Rome
STATUS
CANCELLEDIf Aegean rejects your claim, you can escalate to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (CAA Greece). Greece's NEB has jurisdiction over flights departing from Greek airports. For Aegean flights departing from other EU countries, the NEB of that departure country may also be able to assist. Greece applies a 5-year limitation period, giving you a generous window to pursue your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about claiming EC261 compensation.
Aegean says strong winds caused my delay - is that an extraordinary circumstance?
It depends on the severity. The Meltemi winds in the Aegean are a seasonal and foreseeable weather pattern. While extreme gusts that close an airport may qualify as extraordinary, routine wind-related delays at exposed island airports may not meet the threshold. Courts examine whether the airline took all reasonable measures to minimize the impact.
My flight was operated by Olympic Air - can I claim from Aegean?
Olympic Air is a subsidiary of Aegean Airlines, but it operates as a separate carrier with its own AOC. If your boarding pass shows Olympic Air (OA) as the operating carrier, your claim should be directed to Olympic Air, not Aegean. Olympic Air is also an EU carrier and fully covered by EC261.
Does Aegean pay compensation in euros?
Yes. As a Greek EU carrier, Aegean pays EC261 compensation in euros by bank transfer. This is the standard payment method. Aegean cannot substitute cash compensation with travel vouchers or loyalty points without your explicit agreement.
Contact for Claims
Online Claim Form
aegeanairlines.custhelp.comHellenic Civil Aviation Authority
Υπηρεσία Πολιτικής Αεροπορίας (ΥΠΑ)
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Check Your Compensation
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