Flight review: Austrian Airlines Düsseldorf to Vienna Business Class (17 June 2024)

Flight and aircraft info

Date: 17 June 2024
Flight: Austrian Airlines OS154
Origin/Destination: Düsseldorf, Germany (DUS) to Vienna, Austria (VIE)
Scheduled departure/arrival time: 15:05 CET – 16:40 CET
Actual flight time (take-off to touch-down): One hour and nine minutes

Aircraft: Airbus A321-111. MSN 570. Registration number OE-LBB. Call sign AUA1K. Named “Pinzgau”. Aircraft age: 28.5 years.

I am sorry to say that the plane age is unacceptable for a supposedly premium full-service carrier. Austrian can’t refresh their fleet soon enough –even low-cost airlines can afford to fly super-young fleets these days.

Gate and boarding

The boarding gate was utilitarian, as most gates at DUS airport are. It didn’t really matter as I spent my waiting time at the Lufthansa Senator Lounge two floors above, that was a five-minute walk from the gate. I am allowed entry to the Senator lounge as a Start Alliance Gold member –my business class ticket would only allow me to visit the Lufthansa Business Lounge (but admittedly the difference between the two in DUS airport is marginal).

The boarding process was flawed: Despite Business Class and Status passengers being called first to board, there was a single boarding pass scanning terminal and there was no clear line for queuing (a couple of dozen passengers were squeezing to pass from various directions).

Boarding to the plane was with a bus. There was no separate bus for Business Class/Priority passengers; the first bus only left for the plane when it was full with both BC and Economy passengers.

Cabin

I always prefer a bulkhead seat, especially on narrow-body aircraft, for the extra leg space (although I’m on the short side at 173cm) and for not having the view of another head in front of me, so I selected seat 1A.

The cabin had a typical 3-3 configuration, with the middle seats (B and E) blocked for comfort with a mini table tray, as is the case in almost all European Business Class cabins. The seats were not brand new but did not feel worn either, and the overall appearance of the cabin was fresh and clean; there was nothing to give away the old age of the plane.

Onboard catering and service

This was the highlight of the flight. The flight attendant responsible for the business cabin was active throughout the flight, being courteous and highly attentive to all passengers and offering additional service (e.g. wine refill) without being asked.

• No welcome drink was offered either as a “default service” or given the additional opportunity of an almost 30-minute delay waiting inside the plane to start taxiing due to air traffic congestion.
• There was no printed menu for the flight.
• Service started with a simple sanitizing wipe (no warm towel was provided).
• Then the main course and dessert were served on a single tray with a paper tray “cloth” on ceramic plates, with metal cutlery wrapped in the usual cloth napkin.
• The main course (grilled salmon with a boiled potato in a spinach sauce) was indeed good, but the Swiss roll dessert was small and underwhelming.
• Various bread options were offered from a basket (an additional bread serving was offered again later).
• The drinks selection included still and sparkling water, the usual soda beverages and juices, as well as four wine options (two white and two red ones).
• Filter coffee was available after the meal service, served in a ceramic cup.
• Towards the end of the flight, we were also given an Austrian-branded chocolate “made in Salzburg”.
• After lunch, the FA kindly asked if I wanted a refill of my wine. I asked for sparkling wine instead and was served an individual bottle of Austrian Sekt produced with the traditional method.
• Once the landing sequence was initiated, the FA offered to transfer my remaining sparkling wine and water to plastic glasses if I wanted to keep them, which was a thoughtful gesture.

In all, I couldn’t fault the quality and quantity of the food (especially considering this was a 70-minute flight), and I left the plane with a flawless impression of the service and the flight attendant.

Summary

The very attentive service from the flight attendant, along with above-average food and drink service for an on-air time of 69 minutes, were the highlights of this flight.

The old narrow-body aircraft and cabin alone were not worth the business class ticket/upgrade cost (but that is almost always the case in European Business Class regardless of airline).

If you’re flying without Star Alliance Gold status, the extra perks from the Business Class ticket (Fast Track security, departure lounge access, and Priority Boarding -albeit flawed-) could also be useful.

Overall, it was a pleasant –if unexciting– experience. If the cost difference vs economy is reasonable, the step-up is worth it even for such a short flight.