Aegean, a Star Alliance member airline based in Greece, emailed about lounge access rule changes taking effect immediately on May 12, 2023.
Star Alliance Gold members traveling with a non-Gold companion can no longer access Aegean’s Schengen lounge but must use the Goldair Handling Lounge instead. Aegean will award an additional 500 bonus miles for international and 200 bonus miles for all domestic destinations from Athens due to this.
You can access Aegean’s page for the announcement here.
Star Alliance Gold members who fly on Aegean flights ex-Athens can access the Lufthansa lounge instead if they don’t prefer using the Goldair Handling one.
Note that most domestic and many short-haul international flights are operated by Aegean’s Olympic Air subsidiary, which is NOT a Star Alliance airline.
Star Alliance Gold members on Olympic Air flights won’t get any benefits, such as lounge access.
Miles+Bonus Gold members, however, are eligible for Aegean-specific benefits, such as extra luggage allowance or lounge access on these Olympic Air flights.
Lufthansa lounge access is NOT available for Olympic Air-operated flights, whether Star Alliance or Agean Gold.
Aegean & Lufthansa Lounge Hours In Athens:
Aegean’s Email:
Conclusion
It is unclear how long this arrangement will be in place, but it will take some time to procure more space at any airport and build a lounge.
Aegean Gold members don’t have that many options if they fly with a non-Gold companion on an Olympic Air flight than use the Goldair Handling Lounge unless they decide to use other lounge access methods, such as Priority Pass, as Lufthansa won’t be an option.