posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jun 26
Austrian Airlines is the flagship carrier of Austria, with headquarters in Vienna, which is also the airline’s main hub at Vienna International Airport. Vienna International prides itself on the ability of passengers to change flights quickly and easily. Airport personnel promise that a passenger should never have to spend more than 30 minutes waiting for a connecting flight. There are plenty of lounges and cafes at Vienna International Airport for those passengers who do have to wait to board connecting flights.
Austria’s flagship carrier was founded in 1957. Focusing on Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, Austrian Airlines also routes some passengers on flights run by its subsidiary, Tyrolean. Austrian Airlines is staffed by over 8,500 workers, and is a member of both the Austrian Airlines Group and the Star Alliance, the largest airline alliance on the planet with 24 different brands. Most Austrian Airlines flights operate on jets built by Boeing and Airbus.
Austrian’s frequent flyer program is Miles & More. Used by 13 European airlines and by over 15 million people, Miles & More is the most popular frequent flyer scheme in Europe. It permits its members to earn and use their frequent flyer miles on all 13 member airlines as well as all the carriers in Star Alliance.
Austrian Airlines is an industry leader in safety. Since 1981, each and every flight has been staffed with at least two undercover sky marshals, and all flight staff, especially pilots and flight attendants, receive frequent training with special emphases on new technology and in-flight safety.
Much as the Vienna airport offers singular efficiency in transferring passengers between flights in 30 minutes or less, Austrian Airlines offers outstanding customer service. Completely revamping its customer service program in 2006, Austrian Airlines added dozens of new features, ranging from new passenger lounges to free snack service in economy to all-inclusive customer care for passengers on the ground. Calling their new program a success, Austrian Airlines proudly points to multiple industry surveys giving them top rankings in customer service and quality.
The airline is operating under new management as of February 2009. Dr. Peter Malanik and Dr. Andreas Bierwirth were appointed as the airline’s chief executive officers with equal rights. The airline’s board of directors hopes the new management team can strength the airline as it continues to face declining passenger totals in the wake of the global economic crisis. Austrian Airlines carried 10.7 million passengers in 2008, down from 2007, and the airline expects a further decrease in passenger totals in 2009. To help combat this expected decrease, Austrian Airlines plans to add four new flights a week to Amman, Jordan in May 2009, keeping with its focus on serving the Middle East.
