Austrian expands route network

As part of its Focus East strategy, the Austrian Airlines Group is concentrating on, and continuing to expand, its route networks in both Central/Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The red-white-red airline is the market leader in the region of Central/Eastern Europe, with 45 destinations, and strongly represented in the Middle East, with now 15 destinations. Flights to the Middle East from the Austrian hub of Vienna are significantly shorter than those from other West European hubs, producing clear advantages in competitiveness and cost terms. The rapid transfer times in Vienna underpin the business model of the Austrian Airlines Group, in which transfer passengers play a key role.


Passengers can currently enjoy Premium Service on flights to Dubai, Damascus, Astana, Tehran, Cairo, Erbil, Riyadh and Jeddah. From May-2009 onwards, passengers will also be able to indulge themselves on the company’s services to Amman: Austrian Airlines has already fitted out the Business Class sections of four of its Airbus A320 aircraft with the new and generously-proportioned sleeper seats from RECARO. These ‘Business Sleeper Seats’ offer 116 cm of legroom, electronically adjustable back- and footrests and an integrated massage function – in other words, every possible amenity required for passengers to feel good and relax while travelling. The generous passenger space provided for Premium Service passengers is complemented by a range of culinary delicacies. First of all, Austrian flight attendants serve refreshing fruit juices, drinks and warm nuts as an aperitif service. After this, freshly-prepared gourmet menus from Do&Co, consisting of several courses and featuring Oriental and Austrian specialities, are served on the finest porcelain. The product is rounded off by exquisite speciality teas and coffees.

Entertainment is provided by a Personal Video Player offering a selection of programmes in four languages including the latest feature films (two with Arabic subtitles), documentaries, lifestyle programmes, sports shows, children’s programmes, games and a wide range of international and Arabic music. The new headphones from Sennheiser ensure hiss-free listening enjoyment. Austrian flight attendants also have a range of different regional and international newspapers and magazines ready for passengers’ reading pleasure.

(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 06-May-09

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