NY to Athens! Dirt cheap - Am I seeing things?
 

I just looked on Olympic Airways for a flight NY to Athens next June. The prices were dirt cheap! Like in the $500 range. Is this possible? Did I read that Olympic Airways is in trouble???

Well I just went to Kayak and put in mid week dates for June and got $1276 (JFK - ATH). I'm looking for dates in July and interestingly, they are a little less, $1251 (this was on Olympic, and it was the cheapest listed) . But nowhere near $500. Are you sure you did that right?

I didn't go through kayak because yesterday they gave me the same numbers you got. Gotta check this out again.

OK, I double checked and I must have been looking at each way. Sorry! Do you know when would be a good time to book for next June to get the best prices? (I know, I know, nobody knows that!)

I can't answer about when to book, but be careful of Olympic Airlines. Even the Greeks we know hate to fly that airline! (Dirty planes, poor/and or lack of amenities, plus the added thrill that they are in deep financial trouble right now.)

Last fall we flew Olympic round trip from Bucharest to Athens, and had no problems with them at all at the time. No complaint about the planes, the schedule or the service. I would have recommended them again - are these problems/complaints just recent?

The company has been in financial turmoil the last several months. And their transatlantic service is notorious for its poor customer service, delays, older planes, and lack of amenities.

After a 6-month transition period ending in March, 2009, Olympic is scheduled to be absorbed by Pantheon Airlines beginning next month in October. This change may spell the end to Olympic as an international carrier. I wouldn't book with them for next June until the dust settles and the future of Pantheon is clear.

I HATE Olympic Airlines. It really isn't the planes, it is the service.

Last summer, I tried to call the NYC office and the line was busy 24 hours a day for 3 WEEKS!

I was calling to confirm a kosher meal for my husband. I never got through to Olympic; I even emailed the airline.

Well, Keith never received his kosher meal and we were flying business class. The FA actually said to me when I complained, "So sorry, they take the phone of the hook in the New York office!!!!!"

I have friends who told me that they were waiting in line at the Athens Airport when the check-in agents at Olympic closed up to go on a coffee break!!! All windows were closed for 30 minutes!!!!

What kind of airline does this stuff? They deserve to go out of business.

Thin