Austrian Airlines: Economy Seats Reviewed

Austrian Airlines' economy class has been described as \not great\ and \cramped\. However, the airline's economy light fares are reasonably priced or even highly affordable, especially on intra-European routes. On long-haul flights, passengers can enjoy a hot DO & CO menu and a diverse entertainment programme. On short and medium-haul flights, passengers are offered a wide selection of drinks, snacks, and hot and cold food.

Seat comfort and reclining angle

Austrian Airlines' economy class seats are described as average for European flights in terms of seat pitch, legroom, and overall comfort. While the seats are deemed adequate for shorter distances, they are not the most comfortable option for longer flights. However, passengers have the option to pay a small surcharge for premium seats, such as those in the emergency exit rows or the up-front seats, which offer more legroom.

On long-haul flights, economy class passengers can enjoy ergonomic seats with a unique relax function for added comfort. These seats are designed to provide a more relaxing journey, allowing passengers to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed.

For those seeking an even higher level of comfort, Austrian Airlines offers a Premium Economy Class. This class features extra-wide seats with a greater reclining angle, allowing passengers to fully stretch out and relax. The seats can be adjusted to a comfortable sleeping position with an inclination angle of 40 degrees. The armrests are slightly wider, and the foldable table can be converted into a mobile workspace with a socket and USB connection. Additionally, the seats offer footrests and adjustable head support, ensuring a comfortable journey.

The Premium Economy Class also provides more personal space, with a 2-4-2 configuration that offers couples and families a more exclusive experience. The absence of seat shells creates more legroom and a less cramped aisle, enhancing the overall spaciousness of the cabin.

Food and drinks

Austrian Airlines offers a wide selection of drinks, snacks, and hot and cold food on its flights. On short and medium-haul flights, passengers can purchase food and drinks from the Austrian Melangerie. On long-haul flights, passengers can choose between two complimentary menus during the flight and receive a small refreshment before landing.

Short and Medium-Haul Flights

On short and medium-haul flights, passengers can purchase food and drinks from the Austrian Melangerie. The menu includes a range of drinks, snacks, and hot and cold food.

Long-Haul Flights

On long-haul flights, passengers can choose between two complimentary menus during the flight. The menu includes a three- to four-course meal with a choice of two main courses. Depending on the time of day, passengers will then be served breakfast or a snack before landing. Each passenger also receives a bottle of water.

Food Quality

Reviews of the food quality in Austrian Airlines economy class are mixed. One reviewer praised the food on a flight from Los Angeles to Vienna, describing the meal as "plentiful and tasty". However, another reviewer on the same route found the food to be mediocre, with dry chicken and soggy vegetables.

Premium Economy Food and Drinks

Passengers in premium economy enjoy an enhanced dining experience. The food is catered by DO & CO, a company that provides culinary services for top-tier airlines, airport lounges, and international events. The premium economy menu features a three- to four-course meal, including the iconic Wiener Schnitzel. Passengers are also offered a welcome drink and a hot towel.

In-flight entertainment

For movie enthusiasts, Austrian Airlines provides access to the latest blockbusters and timeless classics in 20 different languages. With up to 400 hours of films and TV shows, passengers can immerse themselves in a cinematic experience during their flight. The content is available on a high-resolution 9-inch touchscreen, making it convenient and enjoyable to browse through the extensive selection.

Music lovers are also well catered to, with a vast array of musical choices spanning various genres. Passengers can select their favourite tunes from categories such as jazz, classical, folk, and the latest chart-toppers. The ability to create personal playlists adds a customised touch to the listening experience.

Austrian Airlines also offers eJournals, providing passengers with a wide selection of newspapers and magazines in multiple languages. These can be easily downloaded and accessed on personal devices such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops, making it convenient to stay informed and entertained during the flight.

For those seeking interactive engagement, the airline provides games and access to podcasts. Additionally, passengers have the option to purchase FlyNet internet access, enabling them to stay connected and explore the web during their journey.

The in-flight entertainment in Austrian Airlines' economy class is designed to cater to diverse preferences, ensuring that passengers of all ages and interests can find something to enjoy. With a combination of movies, TV shows, music, games, and reading materials, the airline strives to make the flight experience enjoyable and memorable for all its economy-class passengers.

Seat selection and pricing

Austrian Airlines offers different economy class fares, ranging from heavily restricted 'economy light' tickets to flexible 'economy flex' tickets. The cheapest 'economy light' fares include only hand luggage and no complimentary seat assignment. For an additional fee, you can pre-select a seat and add a checked bag when booking an 'economy light' ticket. However, doing both of these will likely cost more than buying an 'economy classic' fare, which includes checked baggage and an assigned seat.

If you book an economy class ticket with free seat reservation, you can pre-select one of the 'classic' (standard) seats on board the aircraft, or pay a small surcharge for one of the premium seats, such as those in the emergency exit rows or the up-front seats.

With an 'economy light' fare, you can either pay for advance seat selection or wait until check-in, when the system will automatically assign you a random seat on the plane.

For example, on a flight from Vienna to Bucharest, there was an option to select seat 3F for an additional €20, with the hope that the middle seat would be unoccupied. This was indeed the case, and the reviewer felt that it was worth the extra money for the extra personal space.

On long-haul flights, you can reserve your preferred seat at the time of booking or up to one year before departure.

While pricing information is not available for all routes, a review of Austrian Airlines' premium economy class on a flight from Vienna to Tokyo mentions that the upgrade was USD 50 per person compared to economy. However, the reviewer notes that this price difference is not set in stone and can vary significantly from one flight to the next, reaching up to USD 1,000.

Another review mentions that seat selection in premium economy was priced at $44 each, and then increased to $81 each after the reviewer's upgrade was processed.

Onboard services

Austrian Airlines offers a range of onboard services to cater to the individual needs of its economy-class passengers. The airline aims to ensure that passengers feel comfortable, whether they are travelling for business, leisure, or any other purpose.

On short, medium, and long-haul flights, passengers are served meals and drinks by the crew. On long-haul flights, passengers can choose between two free menus and receive a small refreshment before landing. The airline also offers special menus, which can be viewed before departure.

In addition to food and drinks, Austrian Airlines provides various entertainment options. On long-haul flights, passengers can enjoy up to 400 hours of films and TV shows, as well as music, podcasts, and eJournals. The airline also offers an onboard magazine featuring exclusive products at duty-free prices.

For those who prefer to stay connected, Austrian Airlines offers FlyNet internet access for purchase on flights with their Austrian Airbus fleet. Passengers can also take advantage of a large range of newspapers and magazines, which can be stored on smartphones, tablets, or laptops for convenient reading during the flight.

On short and medium-haul flights, Austrian Airlines offers a wide selection of drinks, snacks, and hot and cold food from the Austrian Melangerie. The airline also provides complimentary water and chocolates on intra-European economy-class flights, a nice touch to complement their buy-on-board service.

Overall, Austrian Airlines strives to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for its economy-class passengers, with a variety of services and amenities to meet their needs.

Frequently asked questions