Whats up from Washington, as I’m wrapping up my fast journey to Versailles, flying Austrian’s Boeing 787-9 enterprise class, on the nine-hour flight from Vienna (VIE) to Washington (IAD).
I used to be enthusiastic about this flight. Austrian has lengthy been my favourite Lufthansa Group airline by way of enterprise class delicate product, even supposing Lufthansa Group sort of treats Austrian as if it’s second class inside the group. Fortuitously Austrian not too long ago took supply of some new (properly, used) 787 Dreamliners, which symbolize a brand new period for the airline.
The Dreamliner marks a brand new period for the airline, because the provider lastly affords direct aisle entry from all enterprise class seats, plus Wi-Fi, on lengthy haul flights. While you mix that with Austrian’s glorious meals and drinks, plus pleasant service, that is definitely an expertise that I’d suggest. On this put up I need to share some preliminary impressions, after which quickly I’ll have a full evaluate.
Austrian’s 787 enterprise class seats are good (and acquainted)
To this point Austrian has two Boeing 787-9s, they usually’re each former Bamboo Airways jets. Whereas Lufthansa and SWISS are taking supply of brand name new lengthy haul planes, Austrian is reliant on second hand plane for its fleet renewal. That’s not all dangerous information, although.
Austrian’s 787s characteristic 26 reverse herringbone enterprise class seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration. Trying entrance to again, the cabin is distinctly Austrian, whereas wanting again to entrance, you couldn’t inform what airline the airplane belongs to.
Particularly, Austrian has the Collins Aerospace Tremendous Diamond product. Whereas these seats aren’t leading edge, they’re greater than adequate, and approach higher than you’ll discover on most different Lufthansa Group plane. In the event you ask me, this can be a way more aggressive seat than Austrian’s outdated staggered enterprise class.
It’s fascinating how Austrian appears to be utilizing an interim livery for these new 787s. They haven’t been painted within the full Austrian colours, however have as a substitute been painted in an all-white livery, with the Austrian identify written alongside the entrance of the airplane, and the Austrian brand on the tail. I think about that was finished to get these planes into service as rapidly as doable.
Enjoyable truth — I flew Bamboo Airways’ 787 enterprise class in 2023, on this precise plane (sure, the identical license plate). International aviation is fairly cool, eh?
Austrian’s enterprise class catering is totally scrumptious!
Austrian is thought for its unimaginable enterprise class catering from DO & CO, together with its onboard chef. Austrian has undoubtedly made some adjustments to its enterprise class catering in comparison with pre-pandemic, within the sense that there’s not a cart rolled down the aisle, off of which your meal is straight plated.
Regardless of that, I discovered the meals high quality to nonetheless be glorious, and as tasty as ever. On this flight, lunch was served after takeoff, and that began with two appetizer decisions. I selected the ricotta with grilled greens.
Subsequent up was a soup course, and I chosen the candy potato coconut soup with coconut shavings, which was additionally satisfying.
There have been three decisions for the primary course, and I chosen the baked cod and shrimp with pea purée and crayfish sauce. Not solely was this tremendous tasty, however I additionally although the presentation was restaurant high quality.
Then a dessert trolley was rolled down the aisle, and I selected the white chocolate mousse and cheese plate. I cherished the service touches, like being supplied cracked pepper.
Final however not least was the most important spotlight of any lengthy haul Austrian enterprise class flight, which was the specialty espresso menu. I ordered the standard Wiener Eiskaffee, consisting of a double espresso with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. Yum!
Then there was a pre-landing snack, with two choices. I chosen the mozzarella and tomato panini with potato chips, which was served with a profiterole. Whereas it may not have regarded wonderful, it tasted superb.
So regardless of the catering adjustments in comparison with pre-pandemic, I nonetheless discovered the standard to be superb, among the many finest discovered on any European airline. I additionally love how Austrian so closely options native wines — there have been three white wines, three crimson wines, a dessert wine, and a glowing wine, all from Austria (along with champagne and prosecco).
Austrian’s 787s lastly have Wi-Fi (and okay leisure)
Traditionally, Austrian hasn’t supplied Wi-Fi on lengthy haul flights, although that has modified with the 787. The Wi-Fi interface is just like what you’ll discover on Lufthansa. A go for all the flight value €25, with no knowledge caps. I discovered the speeds to be respectable, so I assumed that was a good worth. Free messaging was additionally out there.
As you’d count on, Austrian affords seat again leisure. The choice was common, however nothing wonderful. There was an affordable choice of motion pictures, TV reveals, video games, and extra. I wouldn’t rank this among the many finest programs on this planet for leisure, although personally I’m extra of a Wi-Fi man anyway.
Austrian’s enterprise class crew was pleasant
The whole crew working enterprise class on this Austrian flight was simply pretty. Specifically, the purser was an actual seasoned skilled, and sorted every passenger.
However even past that, the chef, and the 2 different enterprise class flight attendants, went above and past. They have been detailed oriented, pleasant, and always checked on passengers.
I do have to say one fast story. There was an older American woman seated in entrance of me, and the second she boarded, she defined to the crew that she had been rebooked and that she normally flies United Polaris enterprise class (clearly she was connecting from some other place and had irregular operations, as a result of United doesn’t fly to Vienna).
I can’t even say the extent to which she was raving in regards to the flight nonstop. She saved telling the crew how good the meals tasted, and the way pleasant the service was. On the finish of the flight, she even mentioned “I don’t need to return to United now.” It’s all the time good to listen to the experiences of others, so I believe it’s secure to say that she loved her flight.
Backside line
I’ve all the time loved my lengthy haul flights in Austrian enterprise class. The provider’s new 787 Dreamliners take the expertise to the subsequent degree, with direct aisle entry and Wi-Fi. As all the time, Austrian’s enterprise class catering is a deal with, and I additionally had a very pleasant crew.
It’s fascinating how Lufthansa Group makes Austrian so low precedence within the airline group, but the provider manages to supply the all-around finest expertise, for those who ask me. In case you have the prospect to fly Austrian’s 787 enterprise class, I’d suggest it!
Sadly it’ll be a while earlier than Austrian’s 787 fleet grows. The airline is predicted to take over Lufthansa’s ex-Hainan 787s, as soon as Lufthansa begins flying its new 787s. However that course of is massively delayed…
What do you make of Austrian’s 787 enterprise class expertise?
Supply hyperlink
