Last week I flew from Los Angeles to Frankfurt in Lufthansa First Class then connected on a cheap ticket from Frankfurt to Amman via Athens in Aegean economy class. Believe it or not, the dinner on the 807-mile ATH-AMM flight leaving at midnight was better than my main course from LAX-FRA on Lufthansa and is the focus of this week’s Meal of the Week.
I love Aegean, by the way–a great European carrier that I would rank with Turkish as a top regional carrier within Europe. In fact, Aegean was a 2017 winner in the Best Regional Airlines category from Skytrax. For good reason: FAs are wonderful and even without IFE, Aegean is still a traditional European full-service airline.
Anyway, when describing the boisterous passenger on my Lufthansa flight I mentioned that severe turbulence delayed meal service. My steak arrived well-done:
Though still tasty, a well-done steak is never actually “well done”, just overcooked.
On the Athens to Amman flight, which left at 11:50p, I was served meatballs with potatoes in a cardboard box shortly after takeoff.
It was like eating a gyro meatball with French fries — amazingly delicious for an airline meal. The meat was spiced perfectly, warmed perfectly, and therefore tasted perfect.
Let’s just say the FAs appreciated that I enjoyed the food and ensured that I did not go hungry…
Interestingly, when I asked the FA if this had a name she just shrugged and said, “No, it’s just a meatball.”
Just a meatball…I’m hungry just writing this.
Rotfl.
Extra workout time in the hotel gym after all those meals! Lol
That’s for sure! Did a workout just after arriving in AMM!
Thinking of doing a similar long connection at FRA. Is it possible you were just very hungry? I am aware of the myriad possibilities that were available.
Just curious, with that long a layover, did you go to the City or gat a day room at the Sheraton or Hilton? Those comprise my plans between flights.
Not sure about the gym really being needed. I spend lots of time in Germany and they eat meat with meat yet there were very feww overwight people around.
I am not sure what the explanation is but it sure made me jealous.
I’d like to invite u to go take a look at TK’s route map…. then you’ll realize they’re anything BUT a regional carrier. Just because they have large representation in Asia Minor due to geographical proximity and cultural ties doesn’t make them regional by any stretch.
Aegean, on the other hand, is truly regional (which is probably very smart to avoid all the prestige route pitfalls that screwed Olympic Air like no tomorrow)
I did not mean to imply that Turkish is a regional carrier, merely that it does regional travel extremely well.
I’ve flown TK to LAX, BKK, DAR — North America, SE Asia, and Southern Africa are certainly not “regional”.
In fact, Turkish serves more countries than any other airlines.
A meatball in red sauce is called “soutzoukaki” in Greek. “Soutzoukakia” in plural.
One of my favorite Greek meals. 🙂
Flying Aegean and Olympic with family in 2 weeks. Cannot wait.
Matthew, I am not the least bit surprised that you enjoyed those meatballs. Mama’d always known. Signing off, this is Margaret Gray.
Friends i fly mostly all the Airlines …But Not Because i am Greek …Aegean is one of the best in Europe !!! You have to fly to Greece and all over Europe …If dont have time to fly just read:
Skytrax World Airline Awards: A-Z of winners
Aegean Airlines
Best Regional Airline in Europe
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/the-worlds-best-airlines-skytrax-world-airline-awards/
Soutzoukakia is the name.