Impressions Of Austrian Airlines’ 777 Business Class

Very few people use Wi-Fi on long haul flights. Too expensive and most companies won’t reimburse it. Plus, if you fly across the ocean for work, the last thing you usually want is to work on plane before heading straight to the office while jet lagged.

Thanks for posting! As someone who flies very frequently across the atlantic, I put Austrian and Swiss on the bottom of my list. Yes, the catering is good, but the seat and bedding are catastrophic. The seats are very narrow, quite short and uncomfortable. I honestly think that LH’s seats are better (more comfortable).

I havent flown Austrian transatlantic since shortly before the pandemic (January 2020), but I love their service overall, even if their seat isnt the best. Sad to see the chef and the soup course go away, but overall it still looks pretty good. Agree that the seat needs some improvement. But I still have great memories of my experiences on them.

I totally agree and would include SN (same hard product) and LH (different type of seat but no better) in the bottom ranks.

Flew Austrian 767 in a true window seat last summer and it was just a very average and a very unmemorable flight, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

For whatever reason I wasn't thinking of them as part of Lufthansa Group (although I'm well aware they are) and never drew comparisons. Now that you've highlighted it - isn't it funny and outright shameful that 3 of Europe's (and world's) richest countries (in relative terms) are represented by a company that doesn't really know how to put your luggage on the same plane as you, let alone offer a competitive business class.

Maybe it's changed, but several years ago when I flew Austrian business (same hard product), the coffee menu was not available in the last couple of hours of the flight, as the flights attendants prepared for arrival. That would be a bummer on an eastbound flight, as that's when you need the coffee most! (I think they still had regular brewed coffee or maybe instant for that time, though.)

Curious if they weighed your carry-on? A few years ago I was flying out of VIE heading for security and an Austrian employee stopped me, wanting to weigh my small rollaboard. She was quite insistent until I told her I wasn't flying Austrian. I just found it unusual.

Incredible that they still don't have wi-fi. Parent company Lufthansa was one of the first (maybe the first among the major airlines) with inflight wi-fi in 2003! As I recall it was so ahead of its time they ended it before rolling it out again years later.

You said it yourself…as nice as the catering looks, many people choose to maximize sleep on these somewhat short, Eastbound flights and forgo the meal service, so that becomes a bit of a non factor. With that being said, what is left appears to be a pretty substandard product, especially given how small Austrian’s wide body fleet is.

The seats (100% agree, most important IMO) look dated and lack even basic J class seat privacy.

I don’t care too much about amenity kits, but that’s just pathetic.

Pretty sure I found a pillow and blanket like that in my grandma’s basement.

No Wi-Fi in 2023? Seriously? Again, for such a tiny wide body fleet, this is simply inexcusable. As I stated earlier, sure you’d probably want to sleep going eastbound, but I’d want to be able to work going westbound.

And yet at the end of the day, it’s all about branding. Austrian can be perceived to be a great brand simply because Austria is a beautiful, wealthy country, so imagine what their flagship airline must be like!

It’s easy for everyone to constantly criticize the US’ big 3 (speaking about int’l J, for context), but for the most part, they’re all superior to this in most ways with the exception of United’s catering. (Even then, at least you could access the Polaris Lounge at ORD to eat dinner).

I'm a regular on the IAD-VIE flight. I actually find OS to be perfectly fine. Crews are always fantastic and the food from Do&Co is really great. It's a quirky airline for sure, but it works, the planes are very well kept (even though oldish) and the seats not cutting edge...but I usually eat well and sleep well so can't complain there. The lounge in VIE is adequate if unremarkable, but, again, it does the job. I like VIE airport as a whole as it's easy and rarely do you get a remote stand.

I've always had great crews on Austrian and love the catering. I'm also going to play devil's advocate and say I love that they don't have wifi. It's an excuse to fully disconnect and just enjoy the flight and/or sleep. My prefer

I last flew Austrian business class in 2019 from LAX to VIE. Living on the West Coast and traveling to Vienna, this flight is perfect as once on board there is no early morning connection at a different European airport. Having to transfer at LHR, CDG, MUN, ZUR, or FRA is very convenient compared to Austrian's nonstop. I completely agree the catering is wonderful (does it still have the dessert cart?). That was a seasonal flight and I hope Austrian reinstates it.

I will be evil: I think they brought in their business class lounge food in the business class flights . This would explain the lack of food and choice at Austrian airlines business class lounge

Not business class, but recently did jfk to amm economy. Great food and enjoyed the vienese waltz music at takeoff and landing. The comparison with our United return, tlv to jfk was particularly telling, cold congealed cheese/egg mess, yuck.

As an Austrian myself I fly Austrian across the atlantic many times and agree with your assessment but have one more complaint.

Since changing from the Chef on Board System to a regular catering concept the food and presentation downgraded substantially. I habe a few friends who like I - were happy to pay more because of the Do&Co Catering and the first course service from the trolley,….

The loosing of the chef is a big mistake innmy opinion as it was a unique selling point…

Lucky - had you taken the avocado from your tomato, avocado and mozzarella starter, put it on some of your pretzel roll, had the FA toast it real quick in the oven - you could have had your beloved avocado toast!! 🙂 🙂

I don't like to use WiFi on planes... the only place in the world being offline 😀

However, I guess it's obvious why Austrian has no plans for WiFi on its long haul fleet. It is the average age... these planes will be substituted sooner or later.

Avocado is NOT toasted in avocado toast! Also using a pretzel roll is unauthentic.

The one time I flew them,long haul I was really excited to get one of the throne seats. OMG too narrow and the seat controls were positioned in such a way that I would get jolted awake when the seat started moving when I accidentally hit them. But the food and service were amazing.

Austrian is still my favorite airline, on my routing. I've always had top notch friendly crews, I always chose a throne seat, or the single seat Embraer 195 inter Europe and I don't care about WiFi on a plane. I am surrounded by it all day long and since I only fly for pleasure these days, it's actually a nice break from it.

@Ben, I’ve heard elsewhere that Austrian will eventually get the 5 787-9s originally ordered by Hainan that Lufthansa has just started flying. I got the impression that they would retain the existing hard product on those planes, i.e. super diamond reverse herringbone in business (and not the future LH hard product). Have you heard anything about this?

Agreed. Their trolley starter & dessert service was truly lavish and was the highlight of flying with Austrian in the past. Still, the meal looks quite good as many airlines these days don't offer more than one starter and one sweet plate after-meal in business class.

I’ve flown Austrian from Chicago to Vienna in 2016 to attend my fathers funeral-after sitting in coach for 15 minutes I could not take the screaming child next to me and I asked to be moved to first class-this was definitely money well spent-super comfortable and great food and drinks
After going back and forward across the big puddle at least 12 times before-It was the best Atlantic crossing I had,even if it was for a sad occasion

Supposedly the chef and the starter/dessert trolley where you can mix and match will return with the summer flight plan.

LH CEO also announced that they are in negotiations with Boeing for 787s for Austrian, so probably doesnt make sense to install Wifi on the old planes.

Good point about the documentary on an unusual aspect of the airline industry.
I would recommend other airlines focus on such distinctive offerings rather than just more-of-the-same films.
A focus on both documentaries and feature films about/set in the home country, but in multiple languages, would be logical too.

That would have been very difficult as Austrian doesn't have a first class cabin.

Well hey - desperate times call for desperate measures when it comes to avocado toast! 🙂

I like the Do&Co catering as well, and like flying Austrian just for a change (plus, it is much better than United, and the seat is fine for me). Since I am usually flying east (TATL) overnight, the absence of Wifi is not usually an issue for me. And don't forget, since *A, you can also use a Polaris lounge when departing from a US airport that has one.

Brussels Air is another LH subsidiary that has an older plane and no wifi, but is also more likely to have saver awards for that reason. Since I am usually flying back to the US on that, Wifi would be an issue unless it is a weekend flight. But I do like their beer menu!

I dont use WIFI on planes, honestly flying is the best place to disconnect from the outside world, so I couldnt care less about wifi on planes. but totally get why you would given your job

Small correction: they are bringing back the chefs and with them the full dining experience. Here’s the job ad: https://www.persy.jobs/persy/l/job-9xhqn-a-stellenangebote-Flying-Chef-Koch-m-w-d-Vollzeit-job-in-Wien-1010-Wien

Source: https://www.aviationforum.at/t20f4943-Fokus-Austrian-28.html

I don’t understand why OS & LXs amenity kits are so horrible & frugal. They could easily get skin care companies from both countries to supply their amenity kits with nice products & the cases they use. Yes LX uses Swiss Army branded cases but the contents remind me of what’s handed out in the main cabin.

Just a clarification on Austrian (and Swiss) seat layout. It’s 1-2-2 and 2-2-1. So every row has 5 seats and it doesn’t alternate between 4 seats and 6 seats.

Personally I find the 2 window seats to be ridiculously narrow and sorely lacking in storage on Austrian and I would choose the Lufthansa 2-2-2 config over this any day. I just find the seats on lufthansa so much more comfortable.

My food experience on Austrian was also good, but I actively try to avoid them now and go for Swiss or Lufthansa (ex-MUC) long haul. For me, Austrian has been my worst experience of the 3 - it felt so cramped.

This is wildly untrue. "Very few"? Ive yet to be on a long haul flight and not seen many people on computers and phones, they certainly aren't all in brick airplane mode.

And Ive traveled internationally for 4 different companies in 3 different industries, including a Fortune 100 and one that was part of a publicly traded holding company, and none have had any issue reimbursing airplane Wi-Fi. Choose different adjectives when making broad blanket statements.

Appreciate the feedback but I really b think WiFi on planes are overrated and if there’s one place we don’t need or can’t be connected, it’s in plane!
As one who used to fly often for work, the plane is a good place to chill, think and prepare mentally.

I did fly with Austrian Airlines Business Class couple of times and I loved it. The food.. the staff friendly and nice a brilliant experuence

2 days ago I had a different experience...with the 777 I enjoyed the flight. Very comfortable. I was really looking forward to receiving the menur choises ubfortunately I didn't get. The flightattendant through the tablet on my table and asked me what I want to drink. Ooen8ng the food it was 2 Tablespoons of potatoe puree, 4 beans and a meatloaf. As dessert an apple cake. No starter - nothing. No olive pies as I was used to have before...in the past. Asking for something else I didnt get anything. Asking explicide for bread I got 3 rolls and 1 butter! The mood of the staff gave me the rest.
Very disappointing now.

Far worst company I ever fly with. They move flight for me and my team for one day. That made us extra expenses for hotel, food etc. When I contacted customer service, they said we can only refund you (of course amount if far from what I spend for that one day), rest of your team need to request individually? I will add that I am Professor PhD. who travel for expo in Venice. After 24 emails Austrian Airlines agree to refund me money. Till today that did not happen. Excuses are that my IBAN is not correct (even do I send them info from my bank, then our accounting could not process refund etc.) obviously, bunch of lies. On my request that I want to speak to management no one responded. I am thinking about legal help in this point.

My first experience with Austrian after over 30 years of long haul flying with Delta, United, British Air,, Air France, NZ, ANA and others. I chose Premium Economy this time from EWR tp\o Vienna, and the 777-200 ER reminded me of Iberia, or Ryan or similar. Very rough and uncomfortable seating, sketchy bathrooms, and sub-par food. Plus the lights stayed on for over half the nighttime crossing. Service was ok but the environment was low budget for such expensive seating.