As an aviation geek, I love trying business class on a new airline. I hadn’t tried Austrian Airlines before, and I was excited to check out the airline’s recently introduced business class on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner during my flight from New York-JFK to Vienna.
From the comfortable lie-flat seat to the delicious food, I really enjoyed the entire flight. Here’s what it was like flying Austrian Airlines business class on one of the carrier’s newest aircraft.
An overview of Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines is the flag carrier of Austria, part of the Lufthansa Group and a member of Star Alliance. The airline operates a hub at Vienna International Airport and serves more than 120 destinations worldwide.
Its Star Alliance membership expands Austrian Airlines’ reach even further through a network of 26 member airlines. With this membership, travelers with miles in other Star Alliance loyalty programs, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, United MileagePlus and Avianca LifeMiles, can earn and redeem miles on Austrian Airlines flights.
» Learn more: Star Alliance: The complete guide
How I booked Austrian Airlines business class
This flight was the transatlantic segment of my itinerary from New York City to Amsterdam, with a layover in Vienna.
I booked the entire trip using 70,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points plus $85 in taxes and fees. Luckily, Chase was running a 20% transfer bonus to Aeroplan at the time, so I only needed to transfer 59,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
I paid the taxes using my Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, which means that I earned 4 points per dollar, since it was a direct flight booking. Charging the taxes to the card also activated the card’s travel insurance, which I consider to be among the strongest travel insurance packages offered by travel credit cards because it includes travel medical insurance.
» Learn more: 10 types of Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance
Austrian Airlines business class airport experience
The premium experience started before I boarded the plane thanks to priority check-in and lounge access.
Austrian Airlines check-in counter
The airport process was smooth. Austrian has a dedicated first and business class check-in area, so I didn’t need to wait in line to check my bags. I was able to check two large suitcases for free because of the generous baggage allowance. Business class passengers also receive lounge access, so after checking my bags, I headed straight to the lounge.
» Learn more: How to get free checked bags on airlines
Lufthansa business class lounge
Austrian Airlines flies out of Terminal 1 at New York-JFK, which has several lounges. I opted for the Lufthansa Business Lounge since it was closest to my departure gate. Despite the lounge also being part of the Priority Pass network and accessible through many different premium travel credit cards, it wasn’t busy during my visit.
Before boarding, I enjoyed a quick dinner while watching the sunset and planes taxi across the tarmac.
» Learn more: A guide to JFK Airport lounges: What to know
Austrian Airlines business class cabin and seat
This flight was on the Boeing 787-9, which features 26 business class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 herringbone configuration, giving every passenger direct aisle access.
Since I booked my flight relatively last-minute, the only available seats were in row 1 or one of the middle seats. When flying solo, I prefer a window seat, so I selected seat 1K in the first row of the cabin. The one downside was its proximity to the galley. Because flight attendants gathered in that area while preparing and serving meals, it wasn’t the quietest spot for an overnight flight.
The seat was comfortable in both upright and bed mode. Austrian provided a plush pillow and blanket, and despite the increased noise level, I fell asleep shortly after dinner and had no trouble sleeping for most of the flight.
The seat also had various small storage compartments, including the main one that housed the entertainment remote, a universal power outlet and a USB charging port, making it easy to keep devices charged throughout the flight. Seat adjustments were controlled through a touchscreen panel with preset positions for lounging, dining and sleeping.
Austrian Airlines business class food and drinks
Meal service began with a bread roll and a buffalo mozzarella salad served with figs and cherry tomatoes, followed by a carrot ginger soup. Despite the large drink selection, I chose water.
For my main course, I selected the roast beef with crispy onions, potatoes and string beans, which was delicious. I was so full from eating that I skipped dessert and went to sleep.
Before landing, breakfast was served. I chose sunny-side-up eggs and enjoyed them with orange juice and tea. The breakfast was really tasty and it was the perfect way to start the day since by the time we landed it was almost 11 a.m.
Austrian Airlines service, Wi-Fi and entertainment
Service throughout the flight was attentive and professional. The flight attendants were friendly, efficient and responsive whenever passengers needed assistance.
During dinner service, we received cards to select our preferred breakfast options and indicate whether we wanted to be woken up. I selected the eggs but noted that I didn’t want to be disturbed if I was sleeping. When I woke up, breakfast service was almost over, but the flight attendants were still able to get me my meal, which was a really nice touch.
The entertainment system featured a large screen with a variety of movies, television shows and other programming. Austrian also provided noise-canceling headphones, which helped create a more comfortable experience. I didn’t take advantage of either since I went right to sleep after dinner.
The aircraft was equipped with Wi-Fi. Complimentary messaging through services such as iMessage and WhatsApp was included, while passengers who wanted full internet access could purchase a paid Wi-Fi package. I didn’t end up purchasing Wi-Fi since messaging was enough for me.
Business class passengers also received an amenity kit that included essentials such as a sleep mask, ear plugs, socks, a toothbrush and toothpaste tablets.
» Learn more: The guide to business and first class flights
Is Austrian Airlines business class worth it?
For travelers looking to cross the Atlantic comfortably, Austrian Airlines business class is a solid option.
The comfortable lie-flat seat made it easy to get meaningful sleep on an overnight flight, the food was excellent and the service was consistently attentive. Lounge access and priority airport services added value to the overall experience.
The biggest drawback of my experience was the location of seat 1K near the galley, which resulted in some extra noise during the flight. However, that was a relatively minor inconvenience compared with the overall comfort of the journey.
If you can book Austrian Airlines business class using points, especially during a transfer bonus like the one I used, it can be an excellent way to travel to Europe in comfort without paying cash for an expensive premium-cabin ticket.
(Top photo by Elina Geller)
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