Austrian Airlines
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAustria’s flag carrier and a Lufthansa Group airline based at Vienna International Airport. Austrian Airlines Group was the Austrian aviation group centered on the country’s flag carrier, Austrian Airlines, and its former airline subsidiaries.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Austrian Airlines is Austria’s flag carrier and one of the principal airlines in the Lufthansa Group. Its main base and hub is Vienna International Airport, from which it operates scheduled passenger services across Europe and to selected long-haul destinations in North America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The carrier is also a member of Star Alliance and participates in the Miles & More frequent-flyer programme. The airline’s immediate corporate origin is the 1957 merger of Air Austria and Austrian Airways, although commercial aviation under the Austrian Airlines name traces back to Austrian Airways’ establishment in 1923. The early company operated Junkers aircraft and developed links to neighbouring European cities. Its independent development was interrupted after the 1938 annexation of Austria, when the company was absorbed into Lufthansa’s predecessor and removed from the commercial register in 1939. After Austria regained sovereignty, a new national carrier was created and began scheduled operations in 1958 with leased Vickers Viscount aircraft on routes from Vienna to Zurich and London. Austrian entered the jet age with the Sud Aviation Caravelle in the 1960s and subsequently built a fleet around Douglas DC-9 and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft. It opened its first long-distance service to New York in 1969 in cooperation with Sabena, although that initial service was later discontinued. A regular New York route was relaunched in 1989 with an Airbus A310. During the 1980s and 1990s, the airline added aircraft from Airbus, Boeing and Fokker and expanded its international network. The 1990s and early 2000s brought greater emphasis on alliances, Central and Eastern Europe, and acquisitions. Austrian joined the Qualiflyer Group and later became a Star Alliance member in 2000. It acquired or consolidated interests in Lauda Air, Tyrolean Airways and Rheintalflug, while its Focus East strategy made Vienna an important gateway between Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe. The group also introduced online booking and shortened its operating brand name to Austrian in 2003. A period of rapid expansion was followed by sustained financial pressure. The airline reduced jobs, rationalised its fleet and withdrew several long-haul routes. In 2008, the Austrian government sought a strategic buyer, and Lufthansa was selected in November of that year. The European Commission reviewed the transaction before approving it in 2009. Austrian subsequently became a Lufthansa Group subsidiary, and its shares were suspended from trading on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 2010. Post-acquisition restructuring included fleet renewal, route changes and efforts to reduce operating costs. A major labour dispute led to the transfer of flight operations to subsidiary Tyrolean Airways in 2012. After a new collective labour agreement, operations and personnel were returned to Austrian Airlines and Tyrolean was merged into the parent airline in 2015. In the following years, Austrian continued simplifying its fleet and rebuilding profitability while retaining Vienna as its strategic centre. Today the brand operates as a full-service network carrier within the Lufthansa Group, combining European connectivity with a smaller long-haul network and a service identity associated with Austrian hospitality.
History
Austrian commercial aviation history began in 1923, when Austrian Airways was established with government approval and operated Junkers aircraft on regional European routes. The company developed connections to cities including Munich, Budapest, Nuremberg, Graz and Klagenfurt, and cooperated with Deutsche Luft Hansa during the interwar period. Planned expansion to Rome, Paris and London was abandoned after Austria was incorporated into Nazi Germany in 1938. The company was subsequently placed under Lufthansa control and dissolved from the commercial register in 1939. After the Second World War and the restoration of Austrian sovereignty, two new airlines—Air Austria and Austrian Airways—were formed to fill the absence of a national carrier. They merged in 1957 to create Österreichische Luftverkehrs AG, known internationally as Austrian Airlines. Scheduled flying began in March 1958 with a leased Vickers Viscount serving Vienna, Zurich and London. The airline soon bought its own Viscount aircraft, introduced domestic flights in 1963 and ordered its first jet, the Sud Aviation Caravelle, that year. Douglas DC-9 aircraft then became the foundation of a standardised all-jet fleet, achieved by the end of 1971. Austrian developed a strong relationship with the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 family. It was an early customer for the DC-9-80 and later became the first customer for the MD-87. The carrier also broadened its fleet with Airbus, Boeing and Fokker aircraft. Its first attempt at a long-haul New York service began in 1969 with a Brussels stop and cooperation from Sabena, but the route ended in 1971. A regular long-haul network was established in 1989 when an Airbus A310 began serving New York-JFK. In the 1990s, Austrian responded to industry consolidation by joining the Qualiflyer Group and expanding toward China and South Africa. It acquired significant interests in Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways and later bought Rheintalflug. Its Focus East programme, launched in 2004, concentrated on Central and Eastern European growth. Austrian joined Star Alliance in 2000, introduced online booking in 1999 and adopted the shorter Austrian brand name in 2003. The group’s growth was accompanied by financial difficulties. Route withdrawals, job reductions and fleet changes followed, including the retirement of Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft and a greater emphasis on Boeing 767/777 and Airbus narrow-body operations. In 2008, the Austrian government began seeking a foreign strategic investor. Lufthansa was selected in November 2008 and acquired control in 2009 after European Commission review. Austrian’s Vienna Stock Exchange shares were suspended in 2010. The Lufthansa period brought additional restructuring and fleet-renewal plans. Labour disagreements over cost reduction culminated in the transfer of Austrian flight operations to Tyrolean Airways in 2012. This arrangement ended after a new collective agreement, with operations returning to Austrian on 1 April 2015 and Tyrolean being absorbed. Austrian subsequently continued as a Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance network carrier, maintaining Vienna as its principal hub and developing a mix of European feeder routes and long-haul services.
- 2015
Tyrolean operations reintegrated
[1]A new labor agreement returned flight operations and staff to Austrian Airlines and ended the separate Tyrolean operating arrangement, with Tyrolean merged into the parent.
- 2012
Operations transferred to Tyrolean
[1]Austrian-branded flights moved to Tyrolean Airways during a labor and restructuring dispute.
- 2009
Lufthansa acquisition completed
[1]Lufthansa acquired Austrian Airlines after regulatory review and approval, integrating it into the Lufthansa Group structure.
- 2003
Public rebranding to Austrian
[1]The principal airline adopted the shorter Austrian operating name and reorganized the presentation of its constituent carriers.
- 2001
Rheintalflug acquired
[1]The group acquired all shares in Rheintalflug, further consolidating Austrian aviation operations.
- 2000
Joins Star Alliance
[1]Austrian Airlines became a member of the Star Alliance network, increasing its global partnership and connecting-flight reach.
- 1997
Expansion through Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways
[1]The group acquired a stake in Lauda Air and a majority interest in Tyrolean Airways as it expanded its airline portfolio.
- 1989
Regular New York service launched
[1]Austrian inaugurated a regular long-haul route to New York-JFK with an Airbus A310.
- 1988
Initial public offering
[1]Austrian Airlines completed an initial public offering on the Vienna Stock Exchange while the Austrian government retained majority ownership.
- 1971
All-jet fleet achieved
[1]The airline withdrew its remaining Viscounts and operated an all-jet fleet centered on Douglas DC-9 aircraft.
Products and positioning
Full-service network airline serving as Austria’s flag carrier, with Vienna positioned as a bridge between Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe. Austrian national flag-carrier brand focused on Vienna-based European connectivity and selected intercontinental routes within the Lufthansa Group network.
Passenger aviation · 1958
European passenger network
Austrian’s short- and medium-haul network connects Vienna with destinations across Austria, Europe and especially Central and Eastern Europe. These services provide local traffic as well as connecting passengers into the wider Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance systems.
Passenger aviation · 1969
Long-haul passenger services
The airline operates selected intercontinental routes from Vienna, including services historically developed to North America, Asia, Africa and other international markets. Long-haul flying has been repeatedly adjusted in response to demand, fleet economics and group strategy. Austrian operated Airbus wide-body aircraft in earlier periods and later concentrated its long-haul fleet on Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft as part of a fleet-standardization program. Long-haul flying included historic and later services to North America, Asia, and Africa. Austrian operated Airbus wide-body aircraft in earlier periods and later concentrated its long-haul fleet on Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft as part of a fleet-standardization program.
Cargo aviation
Air cargo
Austrian provides cargo capacity through aircraft belly space and related Lufthansa Group logistics arrangements, supporting the movement of freight on its passenger network.
Loyalty programme
Miles & More
Miles & More is the frequent-flyer programme used across Lufthansa Group airlines, including Austrian Airlines. Members can earn and redeem miles through eligible flights and participating partners.
Passenger airline services · 1958
Austrian Airlines scheduled passenger services
The group’s core offering was scheduled passenger transportation from its Vienna base. The network combined domestic Austrian flying, European routes, and intercontinental services, with Vienna functioning as the principal connecting hub. The service portfolio changed repeatedly as the company responded to competition, fleet economics, alliances, and restructuring.
Regional and European air transport
European and Central Eastern European network
Austrian developed a strong regional position around Vienna, particularly through the Focus East strategy launched in the 2000s. This network connected Austria with Central and Eastern European cities and fed onward traffic into the wider Star Alliance and Lufthansa Group systems.
Charter airline services · 1997
Lauda Air charter brand
Lauda Air became part of the Austrian group through a staged acquisition. Its scheduled flight operations were combined with Austrian’s in 2004, while the Lauda Air name continued for charter activity for a period before the group was further consolidated.
Regional airline services · 1997
Tyrolean Airways operations
Tyrolean Airways was an Austrian Airlines Group subsidiary. It operated regional services and, during the 2012 labor restructuring, temporarily operated all Austrian-branded flights. Its flight operations and staff were reintegrated into Austrian Airlines in 2015.
Controversies
2009
Review of Lufthansa tender process
The European Commission investigated whether the Austrian Airlines sale process had been structured in a way that favored Lufthansa. The transaction was ultimately approved, but the process attracted criticism and political scrutiny. The European Commission investigated concerns about the process used by Austria to select Lufthansa as the buyer of Austrian Airlines, including whether the sale process had been structured in a way that favored Lufthansa. The transaction was ultimately approved after regulatory examination, but the process attracted criticism and political scrutiny.
Marketing campaigns
- 2004Focus East
Central Europe · Eastern Europe
The Focus East strategy expanded Austrian’s destinations across Central and Eastern Europe and sought to make the Vienna-based group a leading regional connector. The strategy strengthened Austrian’s regional positioning and expanded its network, although the group later undertook significant route and cost restructuring.
Outcome. The strategy strengthened Austrian’s regional positioning and expanded its network, although the group later undertook significant route and cost restructuring.
Brand decisions
2015
Merger with Tyrolean AirwaysM&ABackground
A revised labour agreement resolved the operational and employment dispute created by the 2012 transfer.
Action taken
Austrian Airlines reintegrated Tyrolean’s flight operations and personnel and absorbed the subsidiary, ending the separate operating structure.
Aftermath
The group returned to a more unified Austrian Airlines operating model.
2013
Retirement of Boeing 737 fleetGeneration changeBackground
The group continued its fleet-consolidation program after the Lufthansa acquisition.
Action taken
Austrian retired its remaining Boeing 737 aircraft and replaced them with a smaller number of Airbus A320-family aircraft.
Aftermath
The change reduced fleet-type complexity and was expected to produce recurring operating savings.
2012
Transfer of flight operations to TyroleanStrategyBackground
Negotiations over employment conditions and cost reductions failed to produce an agreement within Austrian Airlines, creating a labor dispute within the group.
Action taken
The group transferred all Austrian-branded flight operations to Tyrolean Airways, with some pilots and flight personnel leaving rather than moving to the subsidiary.
Aftermath
A new labor agreement later reversed the arrangement, returning operations and employees to Austrian Airlines in 2015.
2009
Sale to Lufthansa GroupM&ABackground
The Austrian government sought a foreign owner after years of losses and selected Lufthansa as the preferred purchaser in 2008.
Action taken
Lufthansa acquired Austrian Airlines after regulatory review and integrated it into the Lufthansa Group structure.
Aftermath
Austrian retained its brand and Vienna hub while undergoing further restructuring, fleet renewal, and labor reorganization.
2006
Fleet and route rationalisationStrategyBackground
Continuing losses and cost pressure led management to reconsider the long-haul network, fleet composition and onboard service model.
Action taken
Austrian withdrew several long-haul routes, retired Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft, moved toward Boeing 767/777 and Airbus narrow-body fleets, and reduced complimentary short-haul catering.
Aftermath
The measures lowered complexity but contributed to labour tensions and a prolonged restructuring period, and did not prevent major losses in 2008 and the subsequent search for a strategic buyer.
2006
Fleet simplification and cost-reduction programStrategyBackground
Persistent financial pressure led Austrian Airlines to reduce employment, cancel selected long-haul routes, simplify its fleet, and revise short-haul onboard service.
Action taken
The group moved away from Airbus wide-body aircraft, concentrated long-haul flying on Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft, and introduced a reduced short-haul catering model.
Aftermath
The measures reduced complexity but did not prevent major losses in 2008 and the subsequent search for a strategic buyer.
Recent events
Reported
Lufthansa Group unveils new brand identity to unify airline portfolio[3]
Lufthansa Group presented a new brand identity in December 2025 designed to unify its growing portfolio of airline brands and increase group visibility. The identity centers on the crane logo without the surrounding circle, adds six new colour tones, and applies the 'Member of Lufthansa Group' designation and tagline more consistently, including on all aircraft and, from 2026, at lounge entrances worldwide.
Reported
Austrian Airlines introduces new mobile app features[4]
Austrian Airlines introduced new features in its mobile app, including flight-schedule change notifications, real-time baggage status information, and access to its Austrian Melangerie offer and eJournals.
Reported
Austrian Airlines launches Star Alliance biometric platform in Vienna[5]
Austrian Airlines launched Star Alliance’s biometric programme at Vienna Airport. Miles & More members can register through the app and use contactless boarding-pass control and selected quick boarding gates.
Reported
Lufthansa launches drive-through test and bag-drop service[6]
Lufthansa partnered with Fraport and CENTOGENE to introduce a drive-through COVID-19 PCR test and baggage check-in service at Frankfurt Airport for passengers departing on Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines.
Reported
Austrian Airlines announces a further fleet reduction[7]
Austrian Airlines announced that it would place two additional Airbus aircraft in long-term parking, reducing its fleet to 58 rather than the previously planned 60 at least until 2024/25.
Reported
Austrian Airlines announces more than 650 additional job cuts[7]
Austrian Airlines announced that it would reduce personnel capacity by cutting more than 650 additional jobs by 2023; it said not all of the cuts could be achieved through natural attrition and that it was assessing part-time work models.
Reported
Austrian Airlines and ÖBB expand AIRail service[8]
Austrian Airlines and ÖBB announced an expansion of their AIRail train-to-plane offer with an additional route. From December 13, four trains carrying an Austrian flight number are planned to run daily between Graz Central Station and Vienna Airport.
Reported
Lufthansa Group and Amadeus renew and expand technology partnership[9]
Lufthansa Group and Amadeus renewed and expanded their technology partnership. The agreement continues the use of Amadeus' Altéa Passenger Service System by Lufthansa Group airlines and includes expanded services and collaboration.
Reported
Lufthansa completes takeover of Austrian Airlines[10]
Lufthansa said it had concluded its takeover of Austrian Airlines after the transaction conditions were fulfilled. Lufthansa said it would hold more than 90% of Austrian Airlines shares through OeLH after the extended acceptance period.
Sources10 sources
- 1Austrian Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
- 2Austrian Airlines managementaustrian.com
- 3汉莎航空集团发布新品牌形象以统一航空品牌组合rustourismnews.com
- 4奥地利航空推出移动应用新功能futuretravelexperience.com
- 5奥地利航空在维也纳推出星空联盟生物识别平台futuretravelexperience.com
- 6Lufthansa推出驾车办理检测及行李托运服务futuretravelexperience.com
- 7奥地利航空宣布进一步缩减机队worldairlinenews.com
- 8奥地利航空与ÖBB扩大AIRail服务breakingtravelnews.com
- 9汉莎集团与Amadeus续签并扩大技术合作eturbonews.com
- 10汉莎航空完成对奥地利航空的收购eturbonews.com
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