My EgyptAir flight to Cairo was scheduled to depart at 3:30PM, so I headed from the hotel to the airport at around 1PM, plenty early. I hadn’t eaten lunch, so figured I might as well head to the airport and have a snack in the lounge.
I had already checked in online for my flight, and since EgyptAir is in the Star Alliance, I could use any Star Alliance business class lounge. I figured I might as well already head through passport control, so I used the non-Schengen Austrian Business Lounge. The Austrian Lounge has one entrance, but then there are separate Business and Senator sides (the Senator Lounge can be accessed by Star Alliance Gold members).
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport entrance
Given that this is Austrian’s non-Schengen business class lounge (meaning it’s theoretically their primary business class lounge for international longhaul departures), I thought the lounge was on the small side. However, it wasn’t full at all, so I guess I just hadn’t considered the extent to which Austrian is smaller than airlines like Air France, Lufthansa, etc. Still, I could imagine it gets quite crowded during the morning rush, prior to transatlantic flights.
At the entryway were a bunch of high-top tables with chairs.
Austrian Business Lounge Vienna Airport seating
Then the rest of the lounge consisted of one main room, which was separated into different areas using sheer curtains. I felt like the furniture felt very IKEA-esque (not that this is necessarily a bad thing). First there were a bunch of dining tables, mostly with red chairs.
Austrian Business Lounge Vienna Airport seating
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport
Then past the buffet area was another seating area with more of the same tables.
Austrian Business Lounge Vienna Airport
Austrian Business Lounge Vienna Airport
Then in the back of the lounge was another seating area with green chairs.
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport seating
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport seating
Then there were a few chairs with some ottomans facing a TV.
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport seating
In the very back corner of the lounge were some daybeds that had Austrian’s onboard bedding.
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport relaxation area
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport relaxation area
The lounge also had a selection of magazines and newspapers.
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport newspapers & magazines
I find that the primary seating arrangement in most airline lounges is rows of seats facing one another, and this lounge didn’t have any of those. Personally I far prefer this type of lounge setup where everyone gets a table, since it’s much easier to work from a table.
The buffet was back towards the entrance of the lounge.
Austrian Business Lounge Vienna Airport buffet
There was a selection of self serve wine, beer, and liquor, as well as soft drinks, water, and a coffee machine.
Austrian Business Lounge Vienna Airport drink selection
Austrian Business Lounge Vienna Airport drink & snack selection
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport drinks
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport coffee machine
The food selection was reasonably decent, with some chicken curry and rice, three types of salad, two soups, and two types of cake.
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport hot food
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport food
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport food
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport soup
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport dessert
About an hour after I arrived at the lounge, one of the lounge attendants passed through the lounge with ice cream.
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport ice cream
I’d note that around 2PM the lounge’s food spread was reduced, as it was at that point limited to just cake and soup.
The lounge had great views both of the apron and the runway in the distance, and it was a beautiful day for plane spotting.
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport view
The Business Lounge also had two shower rooms as well as bathrooms.
Austrian Lounge Vienna Airport bathrooms & showers
My flight to Cairo was departing from gate G37, located at the very end of the concourse. This was maybe a 10 minute walk from the lounge.
Vienna Airport terminal
EgyptAir departure gate Vienna Airport
I got to the gate at around 2:45PM. The plane had just arrived from Cairo, and at 3PM boarding began, starting with business class.
EgyptAir 737 Vienna Airport
Austrian Lounge Vienna bottom line
I thought the Austrian Lounge Vienna was nice but unmemorable. It wasn’t too crowded, I appreciated how functional the furniture was (even if it didn’t feel especially high end), and I thought the food selection was solid, as the salad and soup made a great lunch.
All things considered Vienna Airport is a lovely airport to transit, given that it’s not that big. In other words, it’s not the best airport lounge in the world, but I’d gladly spend time here again.
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