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Austrian Airlines

Austria's flag carrier, linking Vienna with Eastern Europe and the world

  • AustriaCountry
  • OSIATA Code
  • AUAICAO Code
  • Star AllianceAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines is Austria’s flag carrier and part of the Lufthansa Group, flying from Vienna to more than 120 destinations. From 27 October 2026, the personal-item-only Economy Basic fare is sold on all European routes, and power banks cannot be used on board. This guide covers each fare with its rebooking fees, baggage, power bank rules, Vienna tips, Miles & More and how Austrian compares with Lufthansa and SWISS.

Austrian’s history goes back to 1923, and the modern airline started flying from Vienna in 1958. It joined the Lufthansa Group in 2009 and is known for its red uniforms, Viennese coffee and DO & CO catering.

Austrian Airlines flights to Vienna
Photo: Jacek Dylag / Unsplash

Austrian Power Bank Rules (2026)

Since 15 January 2026, all Lufthansa Group airlines apply the same power bank rules:

  • A maximum of two power banks per passenger, in cabin baggage only.
  • Up to 100 Wh is allowed; 100–160 Wh needs the airline’s approval in advance.
  • Power banks may not be used or charged on board, and you may not charge a device from one.
  • Keep them on you, in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat, never in the overhead bins or checked bags.
  • The same rules apply to e-cigarettes.

Check-In at Vienna

Online check-in is available on the website and app. Vienna Airport is compact, with most flights using Terminal 3.

Connections between Schengen and non-Schengen flights need passport control, so allow enough time for transfers to Eastern Europe, the Middle East and long-haul flights.

Families and Special Assistance

Bassinets are available on long-haul flights, and small pets can travel in the cabin when booked ahead. Request wheelchairs and other special assistance at least 48 hours before departure.

How to Find Cheap Austrian Flights

Cheap Austrian Airlines flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Compare Basic, Light and Comfort after adding the bags you need.
  • Book direct: Basic and Light are only sold on the airline’s own channels.
  • Connect in Vienna for cheaper fares to Eastern Europe.
  • Avoid Christmas market season and school holidays.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see Austrian next to Lufthansa, SWISS and others.

Austrian vs Lufthansa vs SWISS

All three are Lufthansa Group airlines with the same fares and rules, so the choice is mostly about the hub.

AustrianLufthansaSWISS
HubViennaFrankfurt and MunichZurich and Geneva
Cheapest Europe fareBasic: personal item onlyBasic: personal item onlyBasic: personal item only
Economy carry-on8 kg (from Light)8 kg (from Light)8 kg (from Light)
Best forCentral and Eastern EuropeWidest networkSwitzerland and premium travel

See our Lufthansa guide and SWISS guide to compare.

Arriving in Vienna

Vienna International Airport is about 18 km from the city centre. The City Airport Train (CAT) reaches the centre in 16 minutes, and the S-Bahn is a cheaper option.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is Austrian Airlines a Good Airline?

Yes. Austrian is reliable and comfortable, with excellent food, an efficient hub and strong links to Central and Eastern Europe. Check what Basic includes before choosing the cheapest price.

For more options, see our Brussels Airlines guide, our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against the Lufthansa Group European fares page and the Lufthansa Group power bank rules. Rules change, so check the official Austrian Airlines website before you travel.

Star Alliance & Airline Partnerships

Austrian has been a Star Alliance member since 2000. Together with its Lufthansa Group sister airlines and partners such as United and Air Canada, you can connect through Vienna to hundreds of destinations on one ticket.

Learn more about Star Alliance

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

As part of the Lufthansa Group, Austrian shares fares, lounges and Miles & More with Lufthansa, SWISS and Brussels Airlines, and is part of the group's transatlantic joint venture with United and Air Canada.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Vienna International Airport (VIE) is Austrian's only hub. Its compact terminal and short connection times make Vienna a popular transfer point between Western Europe, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Popular Austrian Airlines Routes

Vienna's single hub serves a dense network across Europe, with particular strength in Central and Eastern Europe, plus long-haul flights to North America, Asia and holiday islands such as Mauritius and the Maldives. Busy routes include Frankfurt, Zurich, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Athens, Tel Aviv and Chicago. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

Austrian Airlines Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

Austrian uses the Lufthansa Group fares. Within Europe, Economy comes as Basic, Light, Comfort and Flex, and Business as Comfort and Flex. Basic and Light are the cheapest but the least flexible. Comfort adds a checked bag and allows changes for a fee, and Flex lets you rebook for free and get a refund for a fee.

From 27 October 2026, Economy Basic is available on all flights within Europe. Basic includes only a small personal item and can't be changed or refunded, so check what's included before you choose the cheapest price.

  • Economy Basic (Europe) Personal item only, seat paid, no rebooking and no refund.
  • Economy Light (Europe) Rebooking for about €100; no refund.
  • Economy Comfort (Europe) Rebooking for about €80; no refund; 23 kg bag and free seat at check-in.
  • Economy Flex (Europe) Free rebooking; refund for about €150; reserved seat and priority boarding.
  • Business Comfort (Europe) No rebooking and no refund.
  • Business Flex (Europe) Free rebooking and free refund.
  • Where to buy Basic and Light are sold only through Austrian's own website and direct channels.
  • Fare difference Always payable if the new flight costs more.
  • EU passenger rights For flights from the EU, or to the EU on an EU airline, Regulation 261/2004 may entitle you to compensation for long delays, cancellations or denied boarding.

Austrian Airlines Seat Selection & Additional Services

On European flights, Basic and Light fares get a seat assigned at check-in; you can pay to pick one earlier. Comfort can choose a standard seat free of charge at check-in, while Flex and Business include seat selection from booking.

Austrian is known for its food: DO & CO prepares meals for Business Class, and Economy passengers can pre-order or buy dishes on many flights. You can check in online on austrian.com or in the Austrian app before your flight.

  • Basic and Light Seat assigned at check-in; advance selection for a fee.
  • Comfort Free standard seat selection at check-in.
  • Flex and Business Seat selection included.
  • Extra legroom Exit-row and front seats available to buy.
  • Catering DO & CO meals in Business; food to buy or pre-order in Economy on many European flights.
  • Long-haul Premium Economy and lie-flat Business Class on Boeing 777, 767 and 787.
  • Lounges Austrian lounges at Vienna, plus Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance lounges worldwide.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

Austrian Airlines Baggage Allowance

Within Europe, every Austrian fare includes a small personal item. Economy Light, Comfort and Flex add one cabin bag of up to 8 kg, while Economy Basic does not include a cabin bag; you can add one for a fee. Checked bags are included from Economy Comfort upwards.

On long-haul flights, Economy usually includes a checked bag of up to 23 kg on Classic and Flex fares, and Premium Economy and Business include more. Your exact allowance is shown in your booking.

  • Personal item (all fares) 1 small item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm.
  • Cabin bag (Economy, except Basic) 1 bag up to 8 kg and 55 × 40 × 23 cm.
  • Economy Basic (Europe) Personal item only; cabin bag and checked bags for a fee.
  • Economy Light (Europe) Cabin bag included; no checked bag.
  • Economy Comfort and Flex (Europe) 1 checked bag up to 23 kg.
  • Business (Europe) 2 cabin bags up to 8 kg each; 1 (Comfort) or 2 (Flex) checked bags up to 32 kg.
  • Long-haul Economy Usually 1 checked bag up to 23 kg on Classic and Flex fares.
  • Long-haul Premium Economy and Business 2 checked bags (23 kg and 32 kg each respectively).

Miles & More: Austrian Airlines Loyalty Programme

Austrian is part of Miles & More, the Lufthansa Group's loyalty programme, which is free to join. You earn miles on Austrian, Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, Star Alliance and many partners, and redeem them for flights and upgrades. Award miles are valid for 36 months.

Status is earned with points from flying in a calendar year, in three tiers: Frequent Traveller, Senator and HON Circle.

  • Frequent Traveller Priority check-in, business lounge access on Lufthansa Group flights and Star Alliance Silver status.
  • Senator Senator lounge access, extra baggage, seat reservations and Star Alliance Gold status.
  • HON Circle The top tier, with First Class lounges, chauffeur services at hubs and the highest priority.
  • Miles validity Award miles are valid for 36 months.
  • Star Alliance Earn and redeem miles on all Star Alliance airlines.
Join or log in on the Austrian Airlines website

Austrian Airlines: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are Austrian Airlines’ IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is OS. It appears in flight numbers (for example OS 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is AUA, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Where is Austrian Airlines headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Schwechat (Vienna), Austria.

03When was Austrian Airlines founded?

The airline was founded in 1923.

04What is Austrian Airlines’ frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called Miles & More. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

05Does Austrian Airlines offer online check-in?

Yes. Online check-in is available through the airline's official website. Check-in opening and closing times depend on the route and airport, so confirm them for your flight before you travel.

06What is Austrian Airlines' cabin bag allowance?

Economy Light, Comfort and Flex include one cabin bag of up to 8 kg and 55 × 40 × 23 cm plus a small personal item. Economy Basic on European flights includes only the personal item (up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm).

07What is Austrian Economy Basic?

The cheapest Lufthansa Group fare within Europe. It includes a small personal item only, with no cabin bag, no checked bag, no free seat and no changes or refunds. From 27 October 2026 it is offered on all European flights.

08Does Austrian include a checked bag?

Within Europe, Economy Comfort and Flex include one 23 kg bag, and Business one or two 32 kg bags. Basic and Light don't include a checked bag. On long-haul flights, most Economy fares include one 23 kg bag.

09Does Austrian Airlines serve food?

Yes. Business Class meals are prepared by DO & CO, Economy passengers can buy or pre-order food on many European flights, and long-haul flights include complimentary meals.

10Is Austrian Airlines in Star Alliance?

Yes. Austrian is a Star Alliance member and part of the Lufthansa Group, and its flights earn Miles & More miles.

11What is Austrian Airlines' airline code?

The IATA code is OS and its hub is Vienna International (VIE).

12What fare types does Austrian Airlines sell?

Austrian uses the Lufthansa Group fares. Within Europe, Economy comes as Basic, Light, Comfort and Flex, and Business as Comfort and Flex. Basic and Light are the cheapest but the least flexible.

13Where is Austrian Airlines' main hub?

Austrian Airlines' main hub is Vienna (VIE).

Austrian Airlines, its logo and trademarks are the property of Austrian Airlines AG and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by Austrian Airlines unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.