New Olympic Airways: GREECE is HOT!!! Read What's New...
Written: Nov 12 '00 (Updated Feb 06 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: SAFE, New Planes, New Airports, British Airways Management, Very Professional
Cons: Not so cheap, Delays. Read the review for more...
The Bottom Line: Olympic Airlines is a very professional company and it's growing rapidly. A lot of new airports and planes are added all the time. It is safe.
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| nickline's Full Review: Olympic Airways |
Traveling to Greece? Olympic Airlines is simply the best! One of the SAFEST in the whole world! The comfort with this company is something else! New airports, new planes, British Airways management.
INTRO
As an introduction I would like to inform you that I am Greek. I have traveled with Olympic Airlines within Greece, 6 times. Of course you don't expect me to write anything negative about the Olympic Airlines company. No, I will point out what is negative and positive, but with some extra comments on what others find negative.
Traveling to Greece will be a unique experience for anyone that had never visited this corner of the world. And that is natural because Greek culture is unique, you won't find anything like it in the whole world. I like other countries myself, but to get a picture of it, you have to visit Greece, there is no other way to describe it.
And I am referring to the culture because Olympic Airways is a part of it. It will probably be the first place you will get in touch with Greek people, Greek hospitality, etc. and probably the last on the way back home.
Olympic Airways is the most popular Air travel company in Greece, and is the quickest way to visit any island or the mainland. There are a few other airlines for traveling inside the country, but they don't have so many routes, to and from, all islands that have an airport.
First class is excellent, you will find every comfort that all first class tickets on any good airline offer. Second class tickets offer less comfort but they are cheaper.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Olympic Airlines is owned by the Greek State at the moment, since 1974 (it is planed to be sold to a private company in the near future). The management is in the hands of British Airways. There are about 10,000 employees working for the company, which is a great number considering the country has 10,000,000 population.
WHAT'S NEW
A brand new airport is build in Athens. It has the second best capacity for visitors per year in the whole Europe. That is 15,000,000 passengers per year, and it is one of the most modern in the whole world. That number exceeds the number of visitors that come to Greece every year and it is designed so big for the needs of the "Olympic Games of 2004" that will take place here in Greece.
Now with the British Airways financial management the company has changed it's face completely. If you have traveled with Olympic Airways before you just have to see this! The delays are kept to minimum, the service is outstanding, the food reminds of something between Greek and English menu, and it is greater than the food served in some restaurants, trust me on this.
Only this year 4 new airplanes added to the power of Olympic Airways. They keep the quality very high.
SAFETY
One of the most important things to keep in mind when traveling by plane is safety. This is where Olympic Airways is really outstanding.
There is NO DEADLY air accident for this company since it's foundation back in 1974!
Do you know what this means? It's the safest way to travel in Greece and one of the most safest airline companies in the world!
You possibly have heard lately about the crash of the French Concord. The last Concord ever made was back in the 60's or maybe early 70's. What can anyone expect from a 30 or 40 years old plane? I would be surprised if it didn't crash. All Olympic Airways Planes are AT MOST 20 years old.
Another thing is that Greek pilots are some of the most skilled and well trained pilots in the world. They are considered to be the best in Europe.
Comments on Others Opinions
Before writing this review I took some time to read others opinions about the subject.
What nonsense! One speaks about a drunk TAXI driver in Santorini!
Another is saying that the air hostess don't speak English. (What a lie!)
Another is saying that the plane was going up and down. (probably her first time on an airplane, or she was doing something else during the flight :-)
Another (an advisor) has written 50 lines saying only, that people smoke in an non-smoking area of the plane. I wonder why 50 lines of text is needed to repeat the same lie over and over. I am a smoker. I don't light my cigarettes in planes though. But even if I ever try to do that, a simple complain from someone to the air hostess and she will force me to put it out! It's that simple!
To all of you that had paid a visit to Greece and didn't like it, I have to say that this is an irrelevant subject for your complaints. There is no need to exaggerate over small things and put all your frustration on Olympic Airlines! The TAXI driver is just irrelevant! Write your complaints somewhere else! After all, those that came to Greece and didn't like it, are a small minority.
One last thing to mention here is, that no one will come here to write that the plane didn't crash!
They all stick to small things, because they can't find something negative to say.
No one except me has written here to inform you, that Olympic Airways is one of the SAFEST airlines in the world. I leave the comments to you.
NEGATIVES
Although Olympic Airlines are very professional, there are some negative points that I have to mention.
The price is relatively high compared to other companies. But what you pay is what you get.
And another is some flight delays. A lot of people complain about this. It is true. But lately the company has changed it's policy on that matter, and has improved very much. Everyone who have traveled with Olympic Airlines must try it again you will notice the change.
About the taxi drivers. Even though it is irrelevant here I'll give you a tip in case you need a taxi at the airport.
All taxi drivers in Greece try to cheat. Some of them cheat a lot and some not so much. They do it to Greek people also, but they don't succeed most of the time.
The tip is, to write down the number displayed on the plates of the taxi before you get in. In this way the driver won't even think about cheating you, because the law is very strict about this kind of behavior. If you think he has charged you a lot of money for a small distance, go to a policeman and give him the details. The price you should pay for every possible destination within Athens (starting from the airport) is less than 10,000 dr. (=25 US$).
LAST WORDS
Olympic Airlines is a very professional company and it's growing rapidly. A lot of new airports and planes are added all the time, so Greece will be able to handle the visitors of the Olympic Games of 2004. It is one of the safest airlines of the world. The comfort of the journey is very good, you will surely enjoy your trip.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
nickline
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 86 members
About Me:
Student of Mechanical Engineering. Working as a programmer. Love nature, music, netsurfing, reading.
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