Greece, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful islands, is a popular destination for both business and leisure travelers. Whether visiting Athens for business or heading to the islands for leisure, finding affordable business class flights to Greece can be achieved with a bit of planning and strategy. Below is a guide on how to secure affordable business class tickets to Greece, including information on key airports, airlines, and tips for finding the best deals.
Key Airports in Greece
When flying to Greece, several airports serve as key gateways for international travelers, especially those flying business class:
- Athens International Airport (ATH): The main airport in Greece, Athens International Airport, handles the majority of international business class flights. It is a key destination for both direct flights from major U.S. and European cities and connecting flights within Europe.
- Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG): Located in northern Greece, Thessaloniki is a significant hub for business and regional travel. Many European carriers offer business class services to this airport with connections from other major cities.
- Heraklion International Airport (HER): Serving the island of Crete, this airport is a gateway for travelers heading to one of Greece’s largest and most popular islands. Many European airlines offer business class flights to Heraklion with connections from Athens or other European hubs.
Airlines Offering Business Class Flights to Greece
Several international and European airlines offer business class flights to Greece from the U.S. and other major global cities. The following airlines provide competitive business class services to Athens and other Greek airports:
- Delta Air Lines: Delta offers direct business class flights to Athens from New York’s JFK Airport. Their Delta One service includes lie-flat seats, premium dining, and access to Delta Sky Clubs and partner lounges at both departure and arrival airports.
- United Airlines: United operates direct business class flights to Athens from Newark (EWR) during peak travel season. United’s Polaris business class offers fully flat beds, premium dining, and access to the United Polaris Lounge.
- American Airlines: American provides seasonal business class flights to Athens from major U.S. cities such as Philadelphia and Chicago. Their business class service includes lie-flat seats, gourmet dining, and access to premium lounges.
- Emirates: Emirates offers business class flights to Athens from the U.S. with a layover in Dubai. Emirates’ business class product features spacious lie-flat seats, premium dining, and access to their award-winning lounges in Dubai and Athens.
- Lufthansa: Lufthansa provides business class flights to Greece with connections through its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. Business class passengers enjoy lie-flat seats, excellent in-flight dining, and access to the airline’s lounges at major airports.
- Aegean Airlines: Greece’s national carrier, Aegean Airlines, offers business class services on flights within Europe and from some international destinations. Aegean is part of the Star Alliance, making it easy to earn or redeem miles on partner airlines like United, Lufthansa, and Swiss.
- British Airways: British Airways operates business class flights to Athens and other Greek destinations via London. Their Club World business class features lie-flat seats, premium meals, and access to the British Airways Galleries Lounge at London Heathrow.
Ideal Times to Find Cheap Business Class Flights to Greece
Timing is crucial when looking for affordable business class tickets to Greece. Peak travel seasons can drive up prices, while off-peak travel can offer more affordable options. Here’s when to book for the best deals:
- Off-Peak Seasons: The best times to find cheap business class flights to Greece are during the shoulder seasons, such as:
- Spring (March to May): Before the summer rush, there’s less demand for flights to Greece, which often results in lower fares.
- Fall (September to November): After the busy summer months, business class fares tend to drop as fewer tourists are traveling to Greece.
- Avoid Summer Months: The summer season (June to August) is the busiest travel period for Greece, especially for leisure travelers visiting the islands. Business class fares are typically higher during these months, so booking outside of this period can save you money.
- Book in Advance: Airlines often release cheaper business class fares several months in advance. Booking your flight 4-6 months before your travel date can help you secure lower prices.
- Check for Last-Minute Deals: Occasionally, airlines offer last-minute deals on business class tickets to fill seats. If you have flexibility with your travel dates, it’s worth checking for last-minute offers, especially during off-peak seasons.
Using Miles and Points for Business Class Flights to Greece
One of the most cost-effective ways to secure business class tickets to Greece is by using miles and points from frequent flyer programs or travel rewards credit cards. Here are some options to consider:
- Delta SkyMiles: Delta’s frequent flyer program allows you to redeem miles for business class tickets to Greece. You can use SkyMiles to book flights on Delta or its SkyTeam partners, including Air France and KLM.
- United MileagePlus: United’s MileagePlus program enables travelers to redeem miles for business class tickets on United or Star Alliance partners like Aegean Airlines and Lufthansa. This flexibility provides more route options to Greece.
- American Airlines AAdvantage: American Airlines’ AAdvantage program allows members to redeem miles for business class tickets on American Airlines or Oneworld partners like British Airways or Finnair.
- Emirates Skywards: Emirates’ Skywards program lets you redeem miles for business class flights to Greece with a stopover in Dubai. Emirates also offers generous stopover packages in Dubai for those interested in adding an extra destination to their trip.
- Lufthansa Miles & More: Lufthansa’s Miles & More program enables members to use miles for business class tickets on Lufthansa or Star Alliance partners flying to Greece. Booking early can help you secure cheaper fares using miles.
- Credit Card Points: Many travel rewards credit cards, such as those from Chase or American Express, allow you to transfer points to airline frequent flyer programs. Points can be redeemed for business class flights to Greece on various airlines.
Tips for Finding Affordable Business Class Flights to Greece
In addition to using miles and booking during off-peak seasons, here are some additional tips for finding cheap business class flights to Greece:
- Use Fare Alerts: Set up fare alerts through travel websites like Flyer Club. These alerts notify you when business class fares to Greece drop, allowing you to book at the right time.
- Consider Connecting Flights: While direct business class flights are often more convenient, choosing a connecting flight through a European hub like London, Frankfurt, or Paris can be significantly cheaper. Airlines like Lufthansa, British Airways, and Air France offer business class services with connections to Greece.
- Look for Airline Sales: Many airlines offer business class sales during special occasions or seasonal promotions. Sign up for airline newsletters or monitor sales events, such as Black Friday or New Year promotions, for discounted fares.
- Check for Codeshare Flights: Airlines often partner with other carriers on codeshare flights. This can sometimes lead to cheaper business class fares, especially on international routes to Greece.
- Book with a Travel Agent: Some travel agents have access to exclusive or unpublished fares, particularly for business class. It’s worth checking with a travel agent to see if they can offer a lower fare than what’s available online.
By following these strategies and considering flexible options, you can find affordable business class flights to Greece and enjoy a comfortable journey to this beautiful Mediterranean destination.