On a recent trip back to Greece, I flew from JFK to Santorini via Brussels Airlines in Business Class. I booked the tickets through United Airlines for 88,000 miles plus $5.60 each. My travel companion was my friend Deanna, who had never flown business class before—this made the experience more exciting.
Departing from JFK
JFK is always chaotic, so make sure to allow ample time to get through security. After clearing it, I headed straight to the Lufthansa Lounge, which is located just to the left. Personally, Lufthansa lounges don’t impress me. The food tends to be underwhelming and forgettable.
Boarding and First Impressions
Our seats were the first on the right in a 2-2-2 configuration. This setup is decent if you’re traveling with someone you know, but not great for solo travelers. Without direct aisle access in the window seat, you either climb over someone or get climbed over—neither is fun. If I were flying alone, I’d go for the middle pair of seats where both passengers have aisle access.
There’s also no privacy divider between seats, which adds to the discomfort if you’re next to a stranger. Thankfully, I only had to climb over Deanna.
The seats felt worn but still comfortable. Deanna noticed her tray table sloped downward, and a flight attendant mentioned that some planes are currently being retrofitted.
Each seat came with a pillow, a light blanket, a bottle of water, and a cute amenity kit that I actually liked enough to keep.
In-Flight Service and Dining
As soon as we boarded, we were offered a welcome drink—champagne or sparkling wine (I’m not sure which), orange juice, or a mocktail, which I appreciated. Once we were airborne, they handed out warm towels, a bag of spicy nuts, and took drink orders.
There were no printed menus, which was unexpected. For appetizers, there was a choice between a meat or shrimp dish. I had the shrimp, which was excellent, as was the bread.
For the main course, I chose the ravioli. It was underwhelming. Deanna ordered the salmon and couldn’t stop raving about it. There was also a pork option. Dessert was a warm apple tart.
We skipped breakfast entirely—sleep felt more urgent. I knew we’d access a lounge in Athens later, so skipping a meal seemed like a smart trade-off.
The lay-flat seats were helpful for rest, though the flight was under eight hours. I didn’t get much sleep, but I did rewatch The Devil Wears Prada, so it wasn’t a loss. The flight attendants were genuinely lovely—attentive, kind, and cheerful. Just before landing, they passed out full boxes of Belgian chocolates. A perfect touch.
Brussels to Athens: The Loft Lounge and Short-Haul Flight
We had a layover in Brussels and spent it in The Loft, Brussels Airlines’ flagship lounge. It was impressive. Multiple seating areas, tasty food options, showers, and even a playroom for kids made the space feel upscale and efficient.
On our Brussels to Athens leg, we were again seated in the front row, this time with a blocked-off middle seat. Typical for business class within Europe. There was generous legroom thanks to the bulkhead.
The flight lasted about three hours. We were served a chicken dish with noodles, pea purée, and a small dessert. The bread, once again, was delightful.
There was no in-flight entertainment, which I regretted not preparing for. Still, I managed to doze off a bit and catch up on some rest.
Final Stretch: Athens to Santorini
The final leg of our journey was on Aegean Airlines. The gate area was packed, seating was limited, and our flight was delayed by more than an hour. By that time, we were both running on fumes.
Once aboard, things looked up. The aircraft felt modern, and we were given a charming boxed lunch. The flight lasted only about 30 minutes. Even though the business class setup was again a regular seat with the middle blocked off, the views of the Aegean Sea and surrounding islands were stunning.
Because we had connected through Athens, we didn’t have to pass through additional security in Santorini. Actually, the only security check in Athens was quick and happened at the entrance to our A Gate.
Final Thoughts
Yes, the aircraft on Brussels Airlines felt dated, but they were still comfortable. Service across all segments—from JFK to Santorini—was excellent. If I couldn’t get a nonstop business class flight, I’d fly Brussels Airlines again. Given that I booked this last minute after my original flight was canceled, it turned out to be a solid choice. Business class the whole way to Santorini? No complaints from me.
