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In this trip report, we review the Business Class on Austrian Airlines Boeing 777-200ER in March 2018. This 10-hour flight was from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Sri Lanka to Vienna International Airport (VIE) in Austria.
In the winter months, Austria Airlines (part of the Lufthansa Group) only operates one flight per week to/from Sri Lanka. We have reviewed a number of Austrian Airlines Business Class flights.
Its flatbed seats are not the best in the industry, but Austrian Airlines remains our favorite European airline for flying in Business Class for the service, amenities, and food, which is the best in the skies (similar to what you usually get served in First).
Austrian offers the best Business Class within the Lufthansa group, which comprises Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Eurowings, and Brussels Airlines.
The cost of a one-way ticket from Colombo to Vienna was €300 EUR + 52,500 Miles& More miles, the frequent flyer program of Lufthansa.
Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, and all other Star Alliance airlines do not have their own lounge. Instead Business Class passengers have access to the uninspiring Araliya lounge at Bandaranaike International Airport.
Business Class on Austrian Airlines’ Boeing 777s is spread over two cabins: a large Business Class cabin with 32 seats (in seven rows) at the front, with a smaller and more intimate Business Class cabin with only 16 seats (in three rows) in front of the Economy Class cabin. The Business Class cabins are divided by the main boarding door, a galley, and two toilets.
The Business Class seats are in a staggered layout. The same layout can be found on Brussels Airlines’ A330, Finnair’s A330/A340, Swiss’ A340/A330, Delta’s B767, and American’s B767.
The staggered Business Class cabin configuration on Austrian Airways comprises 10 single seats, while the remaining 38 seats are in pairs. The seats enjoy decent privacy, as none of the rows quite line up. Most seats also have direct aisle access, except for the paired window seats.
Austrian Airlines’ Business Class cabin design looks beautiful, airy, and trendy with a red-blue-white color scheme contrasting with the dark grey seat covers. It looks fresher and feels more luxurious when compared to the design aboard its Lufthansa Group sister company Swiss, which uses the same layout (read our trip report onboard a Swiss B777).
If you have a choice, fly Austrian, not Swiss: although Swiss still has the reputation of being Europe’s best airline, IMHO, it is outclassed (in almost every aspect) by its little Austrian sibling.
Business Class Seat Review
All Business Class seats feature the same dimensions: 152 cm (60 inches) in pitch, a width of 50 cm (19,5 inches), and a 180-degree recline.
All seats have at least one large work surface on the side, with all single seats and some paired seats featuring this workspace on both sides (a so-called ‘throne seat’).
One side of the seat features a power port with international adapters, a personal reading lamp, and a standard wired handset located below a flap in the armrest. The other armrest holds the seat controls to adjust the seat position (from takeoff position to fully flat) and firmness of the cushion (which includes a massage function), as well as the fold-out meal tray (which is hard to get out). In front of the seat, there’s a large, high-quality entertainment screen (more on that below) and a foot compartment.
The seat is comfortable when you are sitting upright, but it’s a somewhat different story in its lie-flat position. Although it’s a 180-degree recline, the seat and your lower legs descend into a space carved out for it in the seat(s) in front. This foot compartment is quite narrow, making it hard to switch position during your sleep while not waking up, as your legs will constantly hit the walls.
Interestingly, the seats that do not have the ‘throne’ feature have a little more space for the feet, so are better for sleeping.
In its lie-flat position, these seats are just 45 cm above the floor, making it feel like you are resting on the ground or in a coffin (because of the seat walls).
On a positive note, Austrian Airways provides excellent blankets and very good pillows, which all greatly improve sleeping comfort.
What are the best Business Class seats on Austrian Airlines’ B777s?
The seats in the second cabin (row 8 to 10) are preferable since this cabin feels more intimate.
The single best seats for solo travelers are the single seats (all are ‘throne seats’ on the B777).
Travel companions should go for the paired, middle seats, which all have direct aisle access. There are also paired window seats in rows 2, 4, 6, and 10, but the passenger in the window seat will have to jump over their neighbor to access the aisle.
What are the worst Business Class seats on Austrian Airlines’ B777S?
I suggest avoiding the window seats in row 7 and 8 because of the proximity to the galley.
I also suggest avoiding the seats in row 10, which are directly in front of the Economy Class bassinet seats (so you may end up being close to noisy young children).
Amenities
Austrian Airlines provides an amenity kit with travel essentials such as socks, sleeping mask, shoehorn, toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs, and cosmetic Edition Edelweiss items (moisturizer and lip balm) by Sin.
Other items provided are a comfortable, thick pillow, a stylish and comfortable, high-quality blanket, and noise-canceling headphones (which you cannot keep).
Amenities
IMHO, Austrian Airlines has its meal service down to an art. The food comes from DO & CO, a catering company with upscale restaurants and cafés in cities like Vienna, London, and New York.
The crew offers a selection of starters, entrees, and desserts through the cabin, so you can always choose what you want for each course.
Finally, Austrian Airlines has hired an onboard sommelier to develop wine pairings for its Business Class passengers. You can also choose from 11 different types of Austrian Meinl coffee.
Lunch was served after takeoff, and I choose the following items from the menu:
- Antipasta
- Chicken curry salad
- Traditional air-dried beef ham/mountain cheese
- Grilled vegetables
- Smoked eggplant salad
- Salmon tartare / pine nuts with rosemary
- Traditional black pudding pastries /herb dip
- Viennese style potato soup with croutons
- Main
- Grilled prawns, homemade pappardelle, light tomato sauce, and fresh parmesan
- Dessert
- Cheese and exotic fruits from the trolley, double nougat tart, raspberry sorbet, and sweet curd soufflé crepes
A second, lighter meal was served 2 hours prior to landing.
- Starter
- Mediterranean feta salad
- Main
- Viennese style red pepper chicken, homemade spaetzle
- Dessert
- Austrian chocolate cake, oven-fresh bread selection, and freshly brewed coffee or tea
A walk-up snack bar was also set up in the galley between the two Business Class cabins.
Entertainment
Each seat features a private 15 inches (38 cm) entertainment touchscreen. The entertainment program offers a decent selection with a total of 50 movies and 60 TV programs.
Onboard Wi-Fi is yet not offered by Austrian Airlines.
Austrian Airlines’ crew members are amongst the best and most friendly in the world.
If you are inspired to fly away, you should always check with our Luxury Travel Concierge before booking to get further discounts and free upgrades on luxury hotels and Business Class flights.
Review by our friends at Luxury Travel Expert
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