Austrian Airlines: What to Expect From Vienna's Lufthansa Group Carrier

History and positioning

Founded in 1957 and part of the Lufthansa group since 2009, Austrian Airlines positions itself as a premium full-service carrier within the German group, with strong transit traffic between Eastern Europe and the rest of the world thanks to Vienna's geographic position, historically a bridge between Western Europe and the Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe and beyond. The Austrian brand is kept distinct within the Lufthansa group also for its strong national identity and its historic link with Vienna airport, dating back to the early years of postwar Austria.

The fleet

On European routes Austrian mainly operates Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, supported by Embraer 195s on regional routes with more modest demand, typically to the capitals of Central and Eastern Europe with lower traffic volumes. Long-haul flying is handled by Boeing 777-200ER and 767-300ER aircraft, the latter being gradually replaced under the Lufthansa group's fleet renewal plan. The regional Embraer 195s allow the airline to serve the lower-traffic capitals of Central and Eastern Europe efficiently as well, without having to deploy larger aircraft at a loss.

Routes and network

The hub remains Vienna, from which a network radiates that combines short-haul European routes with intercontinental connections to North America, Africa and Asia, with a large share of passengers in transit to Eastern Europe who use Vienna as a preferred stopover within the Lufthansa network. The routes to the Balkans and Eastern Europe remain a historic strength of the Austrian network, a legacy of Vienna's geographic position in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.

On board and service

Austrian generally receives positive ratings for its long-haul business class service and for the efficiency of Vienna airport for connections, thanks to a hub structure designed for transfers with relatively short connection times compared with other major European hubs.

Fares and baggage

Basic economy fares generally include a carry-on baggage allowance, with checked baggage often to be added separately on the cheapest fares, a model increasingly similar to the semi-unbundled one adopted by several traditional European carriers in recent years.

What passengers say

The most frequent criticisms concern economy fares perceived as high compared with competing low-cost carriers on the same European routes, a theme common to many traditional European carriers that compete with budget operators on short-haul routes. The most positive reviews often concern precisely the efficiency of connections in Vienna, a hub generally perceived as less chaotic than other major European airports.

• Vienna as an efficient hub for connections to Eastern Europe and beyond.
• Business class service rated positively on intercontinental routes.
• Relatively short connection times compared with other major European hubs.
• Part of a large group (Lufthansa) with access to a broader maintenance and support network.

• Economy fares generally higher than low-cost carriers on the same European routes.
• Occasional delays linked to congested Central European airspace in high season.
• Long-haul 767 fleet awaiting full renewal.

Austrian Airlines is worth it for anyone who needs an efficient connection through Vienna to Eastern Europe or Asia, and less so for those looking for the lowest possible fare on a simple point-to-point European route. If your itinerary involves a tight connection in Vienna, the Lufthansa group network tends to handle internal connections well. Always compare the Austrian fare with that of low-cost carriers on the same European route: the price difference does not always correspond to a proportionate difference in service.