And then came my chance to experience what the new Olympic was promising.
A last minute trip to see my Cousin before he joins the Greek Army for national service. I only got my vacation time sorted from my new boss and I bought my ticket. It was the Halloween weekend in Ireland so flights were at a premium. DUB-LHR was €250 and I decided to get a through ticket with BD/OA. Total ticket price €522 all in. I knew it would be expensive, LH was €492 and so was BA and LX. I really wanted to go Olympic Air anyway so there was really no choice to make.
DATE : 31/OCT/2009
FLIGHT : OA260
AIRLINE : OLYMPIC AIR
ROUTE : LHR-ATH
CLASS : ECONOMY
A/C : AIRBUS A320
REG : SX-OAM
SEAT : 27A
My bags had been through checked from Dublin so I made my way from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2. It was very easy and on the way I took a few pics of the Queens Building being demolished. Sad to see but I guess its needed to make way for a brand new Terminal.
Then time to enter Terminal 2 to get my boarding pass.
The old days .......
The new check in with the old letters removed!! First of all I thought this was a bit cheap but then in 10 days they are moving with AZ to Terminal 4 so I forgive them
My pre allocated seat came out on the boarding pass.
Security clearance was fast and efficient then I made my way to look at the shops.
Glad im not going to PRG !!
Then time to get a late breakfast. I just had a craving.
After that huge meal I made my way to the gate .
Then it was time to board .
I was greeted by two smiling crew who directed me to my seat.
Brand new leather seating and smelt like when you get a new car. So far very good.
Boiled sweets handed out before take off
After a warm welcome from the Greek Captain we made our way to the runway.
After take off the crew jumped into action and baskets started to appear with mini bags. An announcement was made that to celebrate national savings day all passengers would be getting a free gift from Marfin.
A blow up Piggy Bank
A nice idea and made everyone smile. So far so good.
Then the meal service started. This was to be the next test.
As the trolley went by I could smell the fresh smell of warm bread like in a bakery. hmmm
A very nice well laid out meal for Economy class on a 3hr 30 min flight. Tasted excellent, tender beef and tasty sauce. Pipping hot and hot bread rolls. Not over cooked or welded to the dish like alot of meals. 10/10 to Olympic Air for that.
I had a few glasses of sprite with my meal. The pilot came over the PA and gave us detailed routing information,air speed,distance to destination and other points. Very nicely done.
Then time for Coffee
Crew constantly smiling and always in the galley offering drink top ups. Im very impressed by this stage. The new OA is certainly offering what it has promised.
Then what now?? More baskets appear with the second Coffee service ....
Boxes of some of my favourite biscuits. A nice touch.
Then comment cards asking us to rate the service . Something I never saw in the old OA.
About 40 minutes before landing another drinks service.
soon after that it was time to make our decent into Greek air space and down the coastline to make a right turn into ATH.
We landed and soon it was time to say goodbye to the crew. I made a point of telling them that the service was amazing and that the new OA would excel if this standard of service and product was maintained. The crew were delighted and we had a few words. Turned out they were recruited from the old OA and were very happy to be in the new OA with new aircraft,uniforms and a sense of direction. This has obviously had a major effect on their moral.
Bags were delivered promptly and I made my way to the arrivals where my cousin met me.
So thats the end of the first part of my Olympic Air experience. Based on my first flight with them I was really impressed. The crew never sat down and I heard other passengers talking about how surprised they were that they got this level of service on an Olympic flight.
MIG have turned OA around and given it the injection and direction it needed. Long may it last. Some say the Onassis glory days have returned. I wont say that until this time next year. Only time will tell but they have sure made a great first impression.
Part 2 next week.
Thanks for reading my report. Comments appreciated as usual.
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 1950 posts, RR: 19 Reply 3, posted (3 weeks 2 days 40 minutes ago) and read 5619 times:
Hi Philip!
So, how that that feel when especially you read on the flight info screens that YOU have to wait in the lounge
To say as well, I'm impressed too. You got a very nice mealservice on this flight. Was there any choice or just the beef? If only one choice, does OA offer a choice for special meal during booking?
Also, I do not see a cabin divider for Business/Economy class. Does the new OA not offer a business class on their European flights?
The cabin looks fresh, light grey colours with white, giving a good look .
Also, you mention about the crew's motivation for their work. You notice that immediately in their acting towards the passengers. And that's really true. Any company, but especially those who offer commercial service to a community, should make any effort to keep their frontline staffs motivated. This will make the difference. And so far, OA is doing well with this!
So, I guess we'll find more OA reports from now on?
Regards,
Eric
Flying is finished for 2009. In 2010: I booked to secure the Q400 on a new route from LCY, for January...
Luftfahrer From Germany, joined Mar 2009, 317 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (3 weeks 2 days 31 minutes ago) and read 5579 times:
Hi, very nice report, and what a fitting nickname I must say the new OA looks definitely appealing judging form your report. Clean aircraft, nice seats, pleasant livery, as opposed to their former one.
One question, the FAs look rather casual, no? Maybe it's just my impression.
Anyway, they are pretty.
I agree with you, the food looks appetizing, really nicely presented.
Thanks for sharing.
OA260 From Turkey, joined exactly 3 years ago today! , 16846 posts, RR: 53 Reply 7, posted (3 weeks 2 days 28 minutes ago) and read 5564 times:
Quoting EL-AL (Reply 1): the first of Olympic Air if I am not mistaken.
Hi thanks. Yes its the first one.
Quoting EL-AL (Reply 1): How was the legroom? Does the plane has single class?
Legroom was great, I had loads of space and it was very comfortable.
Quoting TK787 (Reply 2): Maybe I missed, where there no drop down screens and flight route info
No drop downs . This is only a temporary fleet until they make a new order for further A/C so I would expect that to be in any deal when they are intending to create their own stamp on their own long term plans. To be honest I didnt miss it. The service kept everyone busy with all the eating and drinking lol...
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 3): choice or just the beef? If only one choice, does OA offer a choice for special meal during booking?
There was a choice of Beef or Vegetarian and you can order Kosher/Muslim/Low fat/Veg etc.. at time of booking.
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 3): Does the new OA not offer a business class on their European flights?
They do and have the middle seat free concept. I just learnt that this A/C was only delivered a few days earlier from BOD and maybe the divider was not in place but the normal cabins do have dividers.
Akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 416 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (3 weeks 2 days 26 minutes ago) and read 5558 times:
Hi Philip,
Great very first Olympic Air TR! I agree that if they manage to maintain this service level, they will certainly outshine other European legacy airlines in no time.
Very nice touch of serving pre departure sweets and pre landing delicacies. The Y main meal looks tantalizing.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): After that huge meal I made my way to the gate .
Shamrock350 From Ireland, joined Mar 2005, 5301 posts, RR: 17 Reply 9, posted (3 weeks 2 days 22 minutes ago) and read 5540 times:
Great report as always Philip!
It's nice to hear such good things about Olympic Air and I'm sure they'll be able to maintain this standard and continue moving forward into what looks like a bright future! That meal looks nice, very well presented for economy and the new cabin seems really bright and spacious.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): After that huge meal I made my way to the gate .
SXDFC From United States, joined Dec 2007, 1341 posts, RR: 19 Reply 11, posted (3 weeks 1 day 23 hours 9 minutes ago) and read 5328 times:
Phil:
Great Job capturing the inspiring new image of OA. I will admit I was most certinaly bias of the old OA, however after seeing your pictures and TR, I think Mr. Onassis would have been most certainly proud of what OA looks like now.
On a side note, do all of OA's Airbuses look just like what we see above? With the new "Enhanced" interior.
OA260 From Turkey, joined exactly 3 years ago today! , 16846 posts, RR: 53 Reply 12, posted (3 weeks 1 day 21 hours 24 minutes ago) and read 5143 times:
Quoting EICVD (Reply 5): As always a great TR. Looking forward to part 2.
Thanks Mark.
Quoting Luftfahrer (Reply 6): One question, the FAs look rather casual, no?
Yes I agree but I personally love it. The old OA uniforms were too outdated and stuffy IMHO. The girls look great in these new bright casual uniforms. Im sure they are more comfortable to work in also.
Quoting Akhmad (Reply 8): The Y main meal looks tantalizing.
Yes was very tasty .
Quoting Shamrock350 (Reply 9): That's a big meal for £5.99, great value!
Hi Kev , Yeah it was but I rolled to the gate after it was a huge meal.
SQ772 From Singapore, joined Nov 2001, 1741 posts, RR: 4 Reply 13, posted (3 weeks 1 day 21 hours 11 minutes ago) and read 5115 times:
What a refreshing change from the usual OA service that we are used to reading about. The airline had gone through major ups and downs (more downs) in the last few decades, and I hope that they are able to maintain the level of service!
I'm not too sure about the sleeveless uniform though. It took me a while to realise that the smiling lady in your photographs was a cabin crew.
The leg room looks impressive, and so were the meals.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 7): This is only a temporary fleet until they make a new order for further A/C
What aircrafts will OA be acquiring in the future?
It gets a little lonely when you're way up there...
Rogerbcn From Spain, joined Sep 2006, 592 posts, RR: 10 Reply 16, posted (3 weeks 1 day 15 hours 34 minutes ago) and read 4694 times:
Hola Philip!
It seems you have come back with a great TR, so does OA like the phoenix bird getting back to life from its ashes. A great come back I would say.
I hope this level of service is kept up in the times to come ahead, at least, as long as they fly back to BCN, where they would face competition from Aegean and Vueling.
I have been really impressed by the report and seeing all those smiles, and cheers going around it reminded me of good old days.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 3160 posts, RR: 71 Reply 17, posted (3 weeks 1 day 14 hours 33 minutes ago) and read 4617 times:
Great report, Phil. The product offered by the new Olympic looks very good. Btw - I was quite sure an OA260 report about the new Olympic would soon show up here.
I only hope the new carrier will also name its planes like the old Olympic did.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): A very nice well laid out meal for Economy class on a 3hr 30 min flight. Tasted excellent, tender beef and tasty sauce. Pipping hot and hot bread rolls. Not over cooked or welded to the dish like alot of meals. 10/10 to Olympic Air for that.
OA260 From Turkey, joined exactly 3 years ago today! , 16846 posts, RR: 53 Reply 18, posted (3 weeks 1 day 12 hours 47 minutes ago) and read 4446 times:
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 13): I'm not too sure about the sleeveless uniform though. It took me a while to realise that the smiling lady in your photographs was a cabin crew.
Yes the girl in the blue could do with a ''rings'' logo on her dress but I love the green uniform that most were wearing. I didnt think I would like it as much as I did. Its really different than the ''government'' uniforms of the past. The new OA wanted to ditch that old image.
Quoting SQ772 (Reply 13): What aircrafts will OA be acquiring in the future?
Not sure yet. I woud love to see a few A330's for the LHR and maybe CDG routes. If they had the same leather seats with the addition of PTV's it would be one sexy beast.
Quoting AlexEU (Reply 14): Do you miss the old A340 on the same route?
Yes I do indeed. Some parked A340's might be making an appearance in part two.
Quoting DL752 (Reply 15): What a wonderful service and report!
Thanks yes it was good service.
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 16): It seems you have come back with a great TR, so does OA like the phoenix bird getting back to life from its ashes. A great come back I would say.
Hi Roger thanks. Yes its been a nice come back for me. A report I wanted to do . I have not been flying as much in the last few weeks due to my new job. Ive been crazy busy but I have some vacation time coming up and Im still deciding where to go.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 17): I only hope the new carrier will also name its planes like the old Olympic did.
Yes I totally agree. Thats my only dissapointment with the new OA. With such a rich cultural and mythological history a Greek carrier should have no problems naming aircraft. I am hoping that it is something they will include in the final fleet.
Lewis From Greece, joined Jul 1999, 2291 posts, RR: 7 Reply 22, posted (3 weeks 1 day 11 hours 24 minutes ago) and read 4272 times:
The new OA looks good.
I am also waiting to see what they will do with their own aircraft. I am expecting to see named aircraft, drop down screens with maps (like Aegean) and same seats for all their aircraft.
OA260 From Turkey, joined exactly 3 years ago today! , 16846 posts, RR: 53 Reply 23, posted (3 weeks 1 day 10 hours 6 minutes ago) and read 4138 times:
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 19): Did the plane lack Business Class? or did they do a BA and keep the middle seat free?
Hi Mark, They did have J class , its the middle seat free concept. It would be interesting to see the catering in J .
Quoting PlunaCRJ (Reply 20): They sound like a great way to fly.
Yes if they keep this standard up it will be.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 21): Well done and so it seems also on the new OA.
Hi Markus, thanks. I hope to take many more OA flights in future.
Quoting Lewis (Reply 22): I am expecting to see named aircraft, drop down screens with maps (like Aegean) and same seats for all their aircraft.
I hope so too. MIG seem to have the right attitude so far so the future looks bright.
Putnik From Serbia, joined Aug 2007, 156 posts, RR: 4 Reply 24, posted (3 weeks 1 day 7 hours 9 minutes ago) and read 3891 times:
I find it rather amusing to notice that four of the airlines on the information board displays have their flight numbers on the LHR route in 200 range.
OA260 to Athens
AZ203 to Rome
JU211 to Belgrade
SU242 to Moscow
On a side note, sleeveless uniform seems like a big no-no to me. Seeing other peoples armpits has never been my favorite activity.
MHTripple7 From United States, joined Feb 2008, 552 posts, RR: 0 Reply 26, posted (3 weeks 1 day 4 hours 22 minutes ago) and read 3692 times:
Wow, thanks for this TR! The new OA looks very promising and its nice to see them starting out with brand new aircraft. Now if only they could get some long-haul aircraft and re-start JFK!
Shamrock321 From Ireland, joined May 2008, 769 posts, RR: 0 Reply 27, posted (3 weeks 1 day 2 hours 10 minutes ago) and read 3533 times:
Great report again. Not to sure about the unifroms tough! Interesting that OA arnt using ULDs for their A320s, they must be one of the only ''flag carrier'' airline not to use them for the A320, anybody know why?
FRACO7X From Greece, joined Apr 2004, 139 posts, RR: 0 Reply 28, posted (3 weeks 1 day 1 hour 47 minutes ago) and read 3499 times:
Hey Phil,
as usual great report! Comparing to the old OA a great improvement.
I´m really thinking of going via a city which OA serves the next time I go to Athens. I hope we still have the same agreement with the new OA as we had with the old OA. Otherwise I will have to look for one of their great offers.
OA260 From Turkey, joined exactly 3 years ago today! , 16846 posts, RR: 53 Reply 29, posted (3 weeks 1 day 1 hour 4 minutes ago) and read 3458 times:
Quoting Putnik (Reply 24): On a side note, sleeveless uniform seems like a big no-no to me. Seeing other peoples armpits has never been my favorite activity.
I guess it depends on how clean the individual is and if they shave properly !! lol...
Quoting Taichen (Reply 25): I hope they manage to keep this standard ...
Me also.
Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 26): Now if only they could get some long-haul aircraft and re-start JFK!
Who knows . Would be great to have this service on ATH-JFK
FRACO7X From Greece, joined Apr 2004, 139 posts, RR: 0 Reply 30, posted (3 weeks 1 day 58 minutes ago) and read 3452 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 29): Im sure they do they are full IATA members.
I will have to check it out the next days. O we do not have with some airlines (even IATA members) an ID agreement. Even with one Star alliance partner! I will not name the airline.
SKYYBLUE From United States, joined Sep 2005, 572 posts, RR: 1 Reply 31, posted (3 weeks 23 hours 14 minutes ago) and read 3323 times:
Absolutely fantastic! I'm so happy to see the major improvements of the new OA. This looks comparable, if not better, to the product and service I received on Aegean Airlines a couple of months ago. The boarding candy, hot bread, good meal, constant refills on drinks, smiling happy crew...all things I experienced on A3 but not so much on the old OA. The legroom looks good and the cabin bright and spacious. Thanks for the great TR...I have been expecting this one from you .
A1ring23 From Australia, joined Jun 2009, 147 posts, RR: 0 Reply 33, posted (3 weeks 8 hours 37 minutes ago) and read 2850 times:
Hi Phil, great report, thanks for sharing!
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): Brand new leather seating and smelt like when you get a new car. So far very good.
Love that, get's me everytime
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): We landed and soon it was time to say goodbye to the crew. I made a point of telling them that the service was amazing and that the new OA would excel if this standard of service and product was maintained. The crew were delighted and we had a few words. Turned out they were recruited from the old OA and were very happy to be in the new OA with new aircraft,uniforms and a sense of direction. This has obviously had a major effect on their moral.
That's very good of you, I would have done the same. Good to see you had a great flight, the OA looks very very good.
EIRules From Ireland, joined Aug 2007, 381 posts, RR: 5 Reply 34, posted (3 weeks 3 hours 7 minutes ago) and read 2671 times:
Hey there Phil
Love the OA trip report, excellent as always. Glad to see OA are finally starting to get their act together. I wonder how long it will be before FR get their claws into Greece however and then OA have to compete on a level playing field with most other European carriers who come up against FR??
Shamrock321 From Ireland, joined May 2008, 769 posts, RR: 0 Reply 36, posted (2 weeks 6 days 22 hours 56 minutes ago) and read 2522 times:
ULD- Unit loading device or containers! OA is bulk loading the A320 you can see the bags on a flat bed in one of the pictures, not great for wet conditions, most other A320 operators like EI, BD, AF, LH use containers for the bags! Maybe Im just too into baggage haha.
Ronerone From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 856 posts, RR: 23 Reply 38, posted (2 weeks 6 days 11 hours 6 minutes ago) and read 2276 times:
Hi Phil,
Excellent report! It is really interesting to the improvements on the new Olympic Air. Hopefully they will continue to maintain this!
The meal looked really good, and the biscuits with the second coffee service, let alone a second coffee service on such a short flight, is a great idea!
Thanks for sharing this! Hope that all is well with you!
Regards,
Roni
A Stop Away From One-Stop, Is Non-Stop : Airbus A340-500
OA260 From Turkey, joined exactly 3 years ago today! , 16846 posts, RR: 53 Reply 39, posted (2 weeks 5 days 10 hours 44 minutes ago) and read 1892 times:
OA260 From Turkey, joined exactly 3 years ago today! , 16846 posts, RR: 53 Reply 40, posted (2 weeks 4 days 22 hours 18 minutes ago) and read 1676 times:
Hi all I thought I would share this email with you. It was an honour that someone from the PR Dept of Olympic Air took the time to read and then send me a personal message. Its a first for me that an airline has recognised my TR's.
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