Austrian Airlines - AUA

Introduction I had to travel to Tirana on business. I chose Austrian is it was a colleague's preference and best suited the dates we needed to be in Tirana. It also provided me with a chance to travel on the Brussels (where I had to be immediately after my business in Albania), Austrian had an ideal connection (in fact they were offering two flights a day between Vienna and Tirana when I travelled). For convenience the BA flight direct from London to Tirana that commenced in Spring 2006 was more attractive but it does not operate daily and is also heavily booked. A few other airlines such as ... more

Austrian Airlines (AUA) are the friendly choice for travellers to Eastern Europe. They serve a lot of airports that no other airline is flying to, and they are doing quite a good job at it. Here comes a full review of their product and services. I haven't tried them on intercontinental routes yet, so my review covers their European network only. AUA operate a modern fleet of Airbus 330s and 340s on intercontinental routes, and McDonnell Douglas MD 81/82/83/87 on shorthaul flights, which are subsequently being replaced by Airbus 320s and 321s. Some commuter routes are still served by 75 seaters ... more

Living in Zurich, I avoid flights via other European hubs whenever I can - hanging around airports is simply too painful an experience. This is why I normally use AUA only when going to the 'Eastern Alpine Republic' (which is by the way a WONDERFUL place to visit!). Just over two years ago, I had an absolutely wonderful experience with AUA, however, that I think air travellers might be interested in. I was on my way home from Honduras in Central America, already dreading the cold (outside an within people) back in Zurich. Due to my laziness where reservations are concerned, the trip home was a ... more

Loved the red suits the stewardesses wore but not the red stockings - a bit of an overkill on the red! Flew from Heathrow to Tel Aviv via Vienna with a group booking. Arrived at the airport very early and waited for the check-in staff. Heathrow T2 was dead, no comfortable seating near the check-in and half of us were supporting the pillars trying to stay awake. Enough about Heathrow but may want to think twice about taking a very early flight. Finally, on plane, hungry having been up half the night to discover on the first leg of the journey, Heathrow to Vienna (1hr 50mins) that the only ... more

For a lot of last year a lot of the talk in Austria was about the purchase of Lauda Air by AUA. Niki Lauda got very irate about it all but eventually Lauda Air became part of Austrian Airlines. Still aside from who owns what and how much of what, Austrian Airlines is the national Airline of Austria. They operate a lot of routes from Vienna Schwechat airport, and has alliances with Swiss Air, Lufthansa, Sabena and there are also various other incentives through this group called "Star Alliance". The planes are reasonably new, with the flight constantly being upgraded, and the food is also very ... more