Founded: 1957
Headquarters: Schwechat, near Vienna, Austria
Main hub: Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Austrian Airlines is the flag carrier of Austria and a familiar name on the route between Tel Aviv and Vienna. Its red-and-white aircraft and crews in bright red uniforms are easy to spot, and its Vienna hub is a convenient gateway to Central and Eastern Europe. Here is a profile of the airline.
History and growth of Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines was founded in 1957 and operated its first flight in 1958, from Vienna to London. Over the decades it built a strong network to Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and long-haul destinations. It joined Star Alliance in 2000 and became part of the Lufthansa Group in 2009, alongside Lufthansa and SWISS.
The fleet
Austrian Airlines flies Airbus A320-family jets and Embraer 195 aircraft on European routes, and has been modernising its long-haul fleet with Boeing 787 Dreamliners for flights to North America and Asia.
Network and onboard service
The airline flies to more than 100 destinations worldwide, with a particular strength in Eastern Europe, making Vienna a handy connecting point for cities that are harder to reach directly. Austrian is known for its hospitality – on long-haul flights, business class passengers are looked after by an onboard chef, and the airline’s Viennese coffee menu is a nice touch. Its loyalty programme, Miles & More, is shared across the Lufthansa Group.
Safety
Austrian Airlines operates to strict European safety standards, with highly trained crews and a well-maintained fleet.
Austrian Airlines and Israel
Austrian flies between Vienna and Tel Aviv, with connections across Europe and beyond. Like the rest of the Lufthansa Group, it has suspended and resumed its Israel flights depending on the security situation – read about the Lufthansa Group’s flights to Israel and check the current schedule when booking.
Tips for flying Austrian Airlines
- Compare fare types: Light fares include hand luggage only, while Classic and Flex add a checked bag and more flexibility.
- Use Vienna as a hub: the airport is compact and easy to navigate, with comfortable connection times.
- Plan a stopover: the City Airport Train reaches central Vienna in about 16 minutes.
Flying via Vienna? See our guide to flights to Vienna, the top attractions in Vienna and our guide to kosher restaurants in Vienna.
