Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines is a Greek full-service airline and the largest carrier in Greece by passenger numbers. It operates domestic and international services from bases across Greece, with its principal network centred on Athens International Airport.[1]
The airline uses the IATA code A3, the ICAO code AEE, and the callsign AEGEAN.[2]
Aegean Airlines has been a member of the Star Alliance since 2010 and owns the regional airline Olympic Air.[3][4]
Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Country |  Greece |
| Airline type | Full-service carrier |
| IATA code | A3 |
| ICAO code | AEE |
| Callsign | AEGEAN |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Commercial operations began | May 1999 |
| Main hub | Athens International Airport |
| Major base | Thessaloniki Airport |
| Frequent-flyer programme | Miles+Bonus |
| Alliance | Star Alliance |
| Subsidiary | Olympic Air |
| Official website | aegeanair.com |
History
Origins and launch
Aegean Airlines was established in 1995 following the development of the earlier Aegean Aviation business. Its initial activities included executive and VIP aviation services.[5]
Scheduled passenger operations began in May 1999. The airline initially connected Athens with destinations including Thessaloniki and Heraklion using British Aerospace Avro RJ100 aircraft.[5]
Later in 1999, Aegean acquired Air Greece, adding ATR 72 aircraft and additional domestic routes to its network.[5]
Expansion
During the 2000s, Aegean expanded its domestic network and introduced more international services. The airline also developed commercial partnerships with carriers including Lufthansa, TAP Air Portugal and Brussels Airlines.
Aegean gradually replaced its earlier Avro RJ and Boeing 737 aircraft with members of the Airbus A320 family. By 2011, its mainline operation had transitioned to an all-Airbus narrow-body fleet.[6]
Star Alliance membership
Aegean's application to join Star Alliance was accepted in 2009. The airline formally became a member on 30 June 2010.[3]
Membership allows eligible passengers to earn and redeem frequent-flyer miles across the alliance and provides reciprocal benefits such as lounge access and priority airport services.[7]
Acquisition of Olympic Air
Aegean completed the acquisition of Olympic Air on 23 October 2013 after receiving approval from the European Commission. Aegean acquired 100% of the airline's shares, although the two carriers continued operating under separate brands.[4]
Olympic Air primarily supports the group's domestic and regional network, including services to smaller Greek islands and airports that are better suited to turboprop aircraft.
Fleet renewal
In 2018, Aegean placed a major order for Airbus A320neo-family aircraft as part of a long-term fleet-renewal programme. The newer aircraft were selected to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and support future network growth.
The first A320neo carrying Aegean's redesigned branding entered the fleet around the end of 2019, with commercial services beginning in 2020. Airbus A321neo aircraft were subsequently introduced for higher-capacity routes.
Aegean has continued expanding its order programme with additional A321neo aircraft, including longer-range variants intended to support services beyond its traditional European and eastern Mediterranean network.[8]
Corporate affairs
Aegean Airlines is operated by Aegean Airlines S.A. The company is publicly listed on the Athens Stock Exchange.
The airline and Olympic Air are presented commercially as part of the AEGEAN Group. The group provides scheduled passenger services, charter flights and cargo transportation within Greece and internationally.[9]
The company describes its strategy as combining domestic connectivity with international services that support travel to Greece and the country's tourism industry.[1]
Operations
Hubs and bases
Aegean's principal hub is Athens International Airport, where the airline operates a large network of domestic and international connections.
Thessaloniki Airport is another important base, supporting routes within Greece and to destinations elsewhere in Europe.
The airline also operates services from other Greek airports, including seasonal flying from airports serving major leisure destinations. Some services are operated from Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus.
| Airport | Role |
| Athens International Airport | Principal hub |
| Thessaloniki Airport | Major base |
| Heraklion International Airport | Regional and seasonal base |
| Rhodes International Airport | Regional and seasonal base |
| Chania International Airport | Seasonal base |
| Larnaca International Airport | International operating base |
Route network
Aegean operates short- and medium-haul services across Greece, Europe, the eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa.
Its domestic network connects Athens and Thessaloniki with mainland cities and Greek islands. Some thinner domestic routes are operated by Olympic Air using regional aircraft.
The airline's international network includes major European capitals, tourism markets and regional business destinations. Its published schedules vary by season, with additional capacity typically offered during the summer travel period.[1]
Partnerships
Codeshare agreements
Aegean maintains codeshare agreements with a range of Star Alliance and non-alliance airlines. These agreements allow partner airlines to place their flight codes on selected Aegean or Olympic Air services.
Codeshare partnerships extend the number of destinations passengers can book through a single itinerary and can provide coordinated baggage handling and connections.[10]
Partner arrangements change regularly and should be confirmed through Aegean's official airline-partner directory.
Star Alliance
Through Star Alliance, Aegean passengers can connect with the networks of other member airlines.
Eligible Miles+Bonus members may receive alliance-wide benefits, including:
Earning and redeeming miles on eligible flights
Priority check-in
Priority boarding
Additional baggage allowances
Airport lounge access
Priority baggage handling
Benefits depend on the passenger's Miles+Bonus tier, ticket and operating airline.[7]
Fleet
Aegean's mainline fleet is based on the Airbus A320 family, while Olympic Air operates regional turboprop aircraft.
| Aircraft family | Operator | Typical role |
| Airbus A320ceo | Aegean Airlines | Short- and medium-haul services |
| Airbus A320neo | Aegean Airlines | Short- and medium-haul services |
| Airbus A321ceo | Aegean Airlines | Higher-capacity routes |
| Airbus A321neo | Aegean Airlines | Higher-capacity and longer routes |
| ATR 42 | Olympic Air | Regional services |
| ATR 72 | Olympic Air | Domestic and regional services |
| De Havilland Canada Dash 8 | Olympic Air | Short domestic services |
The A320neo family forms an increasing proportion of the mainline fleet. Aegean has stated that the newer aircraft reduce fuel consumption, emissions and noise compared with earlier-generation aircraft.[11]
Future aircraft
Aegean has ordered additional Airbus A321neo-family aircraft for delivery as part of its continuing fleet expansion.
Some aircraft are planned with longer-range cabins and lower seating density, allowing the airline to consider destinations in regions such as the Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent.[8]
Former fleet
Aircraft previously operated by Aegean or incorporated through earlier acquisitions have included:
ATR 72
Boeing 737-300
Boeing 737-400
British Aerospace Avro RJ100
Learjet business aircraft
The airline progressively withdrew its Boeing 737 and Avro RJ fleets while standardising mainline operations around Airbus A320-family aircraft.[6]
Passenger services
Cabins
Aegean offers Economy Class and Business Class on most scheduled flights.
Business Class service generally includes additional flexibility, priority airport services, lounge access where available and an enhanced onboard meal. The exact product varies according to the route and aircraft.
On most European services, Business Class uses the same general seating platform as Economy Class, with the adjacent seat left unoccupied where the cabin configuration permits.
Miles+Bonus
Miles+Bonus is the frequent-flyer programme used by Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air.
Members can collect award miles for eligible flights and partner transactions. Tier miles are used to determine status within the programme.
The programme provides multiple membership levels, with higher tiers offering benefits such as priority services, additional baggage and lounge access. Aegean announced changes to the programme's tier structure and qualification rules in 2025.[12]
Lounges
Aegean operates branded airport lounges at selected airports, including Athens, Thessaloniki and Larnaca.
Access is generally available to eligible Business Class passengers, qualifying Miles+Bonus members and passengers with eligible Star Alliance Gold status.
Branding
The airline's name refers to the Aegean Sea, which lies between mainland Greece, the Greek islands and western Turkey.
Aegean introduced updated branding alongside the arrival of its Airbus A320neo fleet. The design retained the airline's blue-and-white identity while introducing a revised logo, cabin appearance and aircraft livery.
The aircraft livery uses a predominantly white fuselage with dark blue engines and tail markings inspired by the shapes and movement of the Greek landscape and sea.
Economic importance
Aegean plays an important role in Greece's air transport system by linking Athens and Thessaloniki with the country's islands and regional airports.
Its international network also supports inbound tourism by connecting Greece with major European and regional markets. The airline has increasingly scheduled international capacity outside the main summer season as part of efforts to support year-round travel.[13]
In 2025, the AEGEAN Group carried more than 17 million passengers and reported increased revenue and profitability compared with the previous year.[14]