04.09.2002 - Just returned from my holidays in Scotland with Ciaoer Mike (Aspen). A handful of trave...
04.09.2002 - Just returned from my holidays in Scotland with Ciaoer Mike (Aspen). A handful of travel ops are in preparation. See ya soon.
Member since:17.02.2001
Reviews:61
Members who trust:143
Lauda Air, a subsidiary of Austrian Airlines and member of the Star Alliance, is by far the best of all the fifty-something airlines I have tried, as I will report in full detail. That's both for Business and Economy, continental and intercontinental. The bad news is that a recent review of the whole Austrian Airlines Group (AUA) by McKinsey management consultants suggests that Lauda's scheduled services shall be fully merged into Austrian Airlines, leaving only the charter flights segment to Lauda. This process is already under way, and has resulted in the resignation of founder and former Formulare One driver Niki Lauda from the board. Anyway, it may take a couple of years before Lauda Air is grounded, so you've got plenty of time to try them out. And I hope my review may encourage you to do just that.
So here is my review: (I should say
that my opinion is based on the scheduled flights only, I don't know about their charter flights)
Lauda operates flights from its Viennahub to many destinations in the mediterranean, as well as intercontinental flights to Miami, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney and Melbourne. Many routes are served under Austrian Airlines flight number (OS on the ticket) so don't be surprised to board a Lauda plane with an Austrian ticket, instead be happy because you have just received an upgrade. The fleet is fully Boeing (except for a few Canadair Jets on commuter routes), i.e. 737s for shorthaul plus 767s and 777s for longhaul services. The whole fleet makes a very modern and well-serviced impression.
The one thing that will immediately open your heart for Lauda is the excellent quality of their meals, the best food in the skies worldwide! I fly them regularly on the Vienna to Istanbul and Rome routes, and always tend to forget my work completely and spend the whole two hours flight dining instead. The food is very fresh, tasty and healthy - always with two options hard to chose from - and served on nice, triangle-shaped china. There is no plastic onboard Lauda. Not only is the food excellent in Business Class, but even the meals in Economy beat those served in the Business classes of other airlines. Lauda draws its quality food from Vienna-based high end catering firm DoCo, whilst other airlines get their meals in the hundred thousands each day from food factories. All the better if you fly intercontinetal on a Business (Amadeus Class) ticket, for there is a chef serving fresh meals to full-fare passengers directly from the kitchen onboard every longhaul flight. As far as I know, this is the only airline with its own cook onboard.
The service is always friendly and attentive, brought to you by mostly very pretty stewardesses with the typical Austrian accent no matter if they speak English or German (I find that accent quite sweet, maybe because my new love is Austrian).
The seats are quite comfortable in Economy and shorthaul Business Class. Instead of the leather seats installed on most European carriers, Lauda has opted for velours, making the seats softer. The seat pitch in Economy could be slightly wider - like BA's it comes at 81cm, compared to 87cm on Lufthansa or Swissair. Inflight entertainment, fully abandoned on shorthaul flights by most airlines, features twelve audio channels on continental routes. On intercontinental flights, the entertainment is state-of-the-art, with individual screens and programming fitted to every seat onboard the 777s, and currently being implemented among the 767 fleet. The business seats on intercontinental flights are as good as those of any leading European carrier, only BA is better with its very new product, i.e. full flat beds in Club World currently introduced to the Heathrow - New York JFK route, and subsequently to the whole fleet. And because there is no First Class on Lauda Air, you get the full attention of a premium customer in Business Class.
Well, I better end this review now before it sounds too much like a company brochure. But I am completely satisfied with Lauda's product and service and fly them whenever I can. And my opinion is validated by the many airline industry awards which Lauda Air collects year after year.
Airlines reviewed by myself so far:
Austrian Airlines British European Airways (formerly Jersey European Airways) British Mediterranean Airways Czech Airlines Deutsche BA Lauda Air Copyright 2001 by Hansjörg Gebel, Witten, Germany
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Hi Hans...I had always wondered about Lauda Air..I have seen them at various locations worldwide and the fleet always looks smart and new ( which of course it is !!)...Lauda Air have an excellent reputation and a young modern fleet, I have not flown with them but having read what you have to say about them I feel as though I should give them a try.....Thanks once again for another informative and interesting Op ....Andrew
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Feb 18th, 2001
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