Austrian Airlines Premium Economy: Is It Worth The Upgrade?

Austrian Airlines offers a Premium Economy Class, which is available on long-haul flights operated with a Boeing 787, 777, or 767. The Premium Economy Class provides passengers with extra comfort, including wider seats, increased tilt angles, and individual foot and neck rests. The seats can be adjusted to a comfortable sleeping position of 40 degrees. In addition, passengers in Premium Economy Class receive a welcome drink and a three- to four-course meal, as well as access to a wide range of drinks, including Austrian wines, beer, coffee, tea, and spirits. The in-flight entertainment includes 350 hours of video and audio programming on a 12-inch touchscreen, along with noise-cancelling headphones. The Premium Economy Class also offers enhanced baggage allowances and an amenity kit that includes sustainable and comfortable items.

Premium Economy seats are wider, with more legroom and a greater recline

Austrian Airlines' Premium Economy Class offers a range of benefits, including wider seats, increased legroom, and a greater recline angle.

The seats in Premium Economy Class are notably wider than those in standard economy, providing passengers with extra space and comfort. The armrests are also slightly wider, offering more shoulder room and a convenient place to rest your drinks. In addition, the seats have a greater recline angle, allowing passengers to adjust their seats into a comfortable sleeping position with an inclination angle of up to 40 degrees. This is a significant improvement over standard economy seats, which typically have limited recline and can feel cramped during long flights.

The extra legroom in Premium Economy Class is another notable feature. The bulkhead seats, in particular, offer ample space for passengers to stretch their legs and get up without disturbing their neighbours. This added space makes a considerable difference in overall comfort, especially on long-haul flights.

Moreover, the seats in Premium Economy Class come with adjustable foot and head supports, further enhancing the comfort and support during the flight. The footrests provide a convenient way to stretch and give your legs a workout, while the adjustable headrests allow for a more comfortable sleeping position.

The combination of wider seats, increased legroom, and a greater recline angle makes Austrian Airlines' Premium Economy Class a compelling choice for travellers seeking enhanced comfort and space during their journey. These features not only provide physical comfort but also contribute to a more relaxed and enjoyable flying experience, ensuring passengers arrive at their destinations feeling well-rested.

The food is better than in Economy, with porcelain plates and a three- or four-course meal

Austrian Airlines' premium economy class offers a notable upgrade to the dining experience. The food is better than in Economy, with porcelain plates and a three- or four-course meal. The entire dining experience is elevated, from the quality of the food to the presentation.

On a flight from Vienna to Tokyo, passengers were treated to a delicious three-course meal, featuring the iconic Wiener Schnitzel as the star dish. The dining experience began with a welcome drink and a hot towel, and drinks were offered throughout the flight. The meal was served on porcelain plates, with a side salad, fruit and cheese plate, and apricot cake.

On another flight from Milan to Budapest, passengers were offered a choice of three entrées: chicken Café de Paris with buttered rice and broccoli; homemade penne with sautéed pumpkin and sage; and red prawn curry with steamed sushi rice. The meal was accompanied by a warm bread roll, and followed by hot tea and coffee.

The premium economy dining experience is a significant improvement over the standard economy offering. The food is of a higher quality, and the service is more attentive, with drinks being offered regularly throughout the flight. The use of porcelain plates and glassware also adds to the enhanced dining experience.

In addition to the improved food and presentation, the premium economy class offers a range of other benefits, including more comfortable seats, increased legroom, and a dedicated cabin. The seats are wider, with enhanced legroom and greater recline, and the cabin configuration is 2-4-2, providing a more spacious and comfortable journey.

Overall, the premium economy class offers a significantly improved dining experience, with better food, presentation, and service compared to the standard economy class. The use of porcelain plates and glassware, as well as the three- or four-course meal, makes for a more enjoyable and luxurious dining experience during the flight.

There is a welcome drink and hot towel upon boarding

Austrian Airlines offers a welcome drink and hot towel to passengers upon boarding their Premium Economy Class. This is part of the airline's effort to provide a more luxurious experience for those willing to pay extra. The welcome drink is followed by a three- or four-course meal, with a choice of two main courses, and a wide range of drinks, including Austrian wines, beer, coffee, tea, and spirits.

The welcome drink and hot towel set the tone for the rest of the flight, where passengers are treated to enhanced comforts and amenities. The seats in Premium Economy Class are extra-wide and have an increased tilt angle, allowing passengers to adjust their seats into a comfortable sleeping position. The seats also have foot and neck supports, as well as adjustable headrests, providing a high level of comfort throughout the journey.

In addition to the generous seating and dining options, Premium Economy Class passengers also benefit from enhanced baggage allowances, a Premium Economy Class Amenity Kit, and access to an extensive entertainment programme. The entertainment system includes 350 hours of video and audio programming on a twelve-inch touchscreen, which can be enjoyed with noise-cancelling headphones.

Overall, the welcome drink and hot towel upon boarding are just the beginning of the premium experience that Austrian Airlines offers to its Premium Economy Class passengers. The combination of comfortable seats, delicious food and drinks, and entertaining amenities ensures that passengers have a pleasant and relaxing journey.

There is no priority boarding or lounge access

Austrian Airlines' Premium Economy Class offers a range of benefits to passengers, but priority boarding and lounge access are not among them. While the airline's premium economy provides a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and amenities, there are certain limitations to what passengers can expect.

Priority boarding is a highly valued perk for many travellers, especially those with carry-on luggage or a desire to settle in early. However, Austrian Airlines does not offer this benefit to premium economy passengers. This means that those who have paid extra for a more comfortable journey will still need to wait their turn to board, which can be a source of frustration for some.

Lounge access is another sought-after privilege, particularly for those travelling long distances or facing lengthy layovers. Access to an airport lounge can provide a quiet, comfortable space to relax, work, or enjoy refreshments before a flight. Unfortunately, this is not a perk that Austrian Airlines extends to its premium economy passengers. This omission may be a deciding factor for travellers who place a high value on lounge access when choosing an airline.

While Austrian Airlines' premium economy class offers a range of benefits, including more comfortable seats, enhanced dining options, and increased baggage allowances, it does not include priority boarding or lounge access. These omissions may be a consideration for travellers who value these specific perks and could influence their decision when choosing an airline for their journey.

Overall, while Austrian Airlines' premium economy class offers a range of benefits that enhance the travel experience, the lack of priority boarding and lounge access may be a drawback for some travellers who value these specific privileges.

The service is attentive and friendly

Austrian Airlines' premium economy class offers attentive and friendly service. The cabin crew has an uncanny knack for making passengers feel like superstars. They are punctual and constantly check in to ensure passengers are comfortable without being overbearing. They are also quick to help out with the touchscreen options.

The service is also attentive to passengers' needs. The crew is proactive in offering refreshments. For instance, when a passenger orders a glass of wine, they are also offered water. The crew also ensures that passengers' glasses are never empty.

The service is also personalised. The main flight attendant seems to know what passengers need before they do. They are also attentive to passengers' needs, constantly checking in to ensure they are comfortable.

However, one review noted that the service could be inattentive. After delivering food and drinks, flight attendants did not return for about an hour, making it impossible to get beverage refills.

Frequently asked questions