Review of Austrian Airlines flight Vienna → Washington in Business

Grüß Gott! Thank you again for checking out my latest trip report. This is the seventh flight in this itinerary all taken on August 2014. A bit of a warning, this post may contain a lot of photos.

For those who are joining us today and have not checked out my other reports of this trip, feel free to check among the following:

Flight 1 - UA 1585 IAH - ORD
Flight 2 - LX 2609 - ORD - ZRH
Flight 3 - TK 1908 ZRH - IST
Flight 4 - A3 995 IST - ATH
Flight 5 - LX 2633 ATH - ZRH
Flight 6 - LX 1582 ZRH - VIE
Flight 7 - OS 93 VIE - IAD

I really love Vienna! The last time I visited, it was a short whirlwind visit that made me wanting more. This time, I visited when der Rathaus hosted an annual film festival, which included a food festival sponsored by Do & Co. I also got to walk around the city and just absorb this unique Wiener vibe. Plus I enjoyed my share of Schnitzel and Wiener Eiskaffe.

OS allows passengers to check-in online 36hrs before departure either on their website or on a mobile app. I had started the check-in process on my iPhone and then on their website.






My itinerary


Screen to allow for seat selection


Seat map


Shows that I’m checked in

When I checked in last year, the app generated an OS Passbook boarding pass as well as e-mail a PDF version. This time, while it said I am checked in, I had to pick up my boarding pass at the check-in counter.

If you take the CAT to VIE and flying on OS, LH, and other approved airlines, you could do city check-in, including checking in after 19:00 for early morning flights departing before 12:00. I decided to take advantage of the offer and drop my large suitcase off early so I did not have to lug it around early in the morning after leaving my hotel. I made sure I had everything I needed packed in my smaller suitcase and everything else checked in. Getting around Wien is easy thanks to their useful tram and subway system. I made it to Wien Mitte and then headed over to the CAT area. I had purchased a roundtrip CAT ticket that included the 72hr use of Wien transit system.


Eingang to CAT


CAT Logo


People waiting for family and friends coming back from holiday and taking the CAT.


Hmmm … which one is for tickets and which one for coffee?


A German couple had just finished up doing overnight check-in at the OS Priority counter.

As I was waiting, I noticed one OS agent sitting bored at the counter for ticket purchase, while a non-OS agent manning the AB/HG desk. After the couple left, I asked if I could check-in for my flight the next morning. She asked to see my CAT ticket, and showed her my return ticket. With that she said she would be able to check me in. She did that while showing no emotion during the check-in process. I gave her my passport and she started typing away. I heard the printers spit out my OS boarding pass only to IAD and then the baggage tag only to IAD. I asked if they could check my bags all the way to IAH. I guess I could not check-in for my IAH flight in time, so she asked her colleague to double check my itinerary as probably was not showing up on her screen. Her colleague verified I was headed to IAH and gave the flight information. She tore up the old baggage claim and put the new one on along with a Priority tag and a sticker for overnight handling. After she handed me my boarding pass, she said I would need to stop by the check-in counter again to resolve an issue with my boarding pass. I do not know if she also works at the airport, but it sounded like she did not know the procedure. When she handed over my boarding pass, I noticed the “wonderful SSSS” on the top right corner. At the time I could not figure out why, but after the trip I realized a couple of reasons why for the “SSSS”.

After checking in at the CAT station in Wien-Mitte, I enjoyed my last night in Vienna, despite it being a bit damp. I had enough time to enjoy one last schnitzel at Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper and an Eiskaffe mit Kugelhoff at Cafe Havelka.

The next morning, I checked out of my hotel early and hopped onto the tram to #2 from Rathaus to Karlsplatz and jumped on the U4 to Wien-Mitte. I had missed an earlier train and waited about 20min for the next one. I spent some time walking around Wien Mitte and taking random pictures.


On the #2 to Karlsplatz.


CAT Station


Interspar at Wien Mitte, wish I had extra space and Euros to get a few treats to bring back.


Some shops at Wien Mitte.


Abfahrt Board


Waiting for the next train to the airport.


CAT advertisement

At 07:00 a train arrives and a couple get off, while a trainload of passengers hop on. Many of them are employees that work in and around the airport. While I noticed a couple of OS groundstaff, I noticed a bunch of plain-clothed ones too.


Cropped view of train cart.

CAT advertises a 16min journey to/from airport and Wien-Mitte. My only complaint of the service is the use of double-decker trains, which makes it a pain to get your luggage off and on the train. An agent does check tickets so there are no fare evaders. Within minutes, I realized, I am back at the airport, with plenty of time to do stuff rather than worry about making if a suitcase had made it from BKK to join me on my flight back to the US.


Entering the terminal from the CAT station.


A much smaller SPAR at the airport.


The great arrivals hall at VIE


FIDS


View from departure level.


Heading towards OS check-in counters.


OS ticket purchase counter


OS self-service kiosks along with J/Senator check-in counters behind kiosks

Because I got in early, I decided to check out the older terminal. I had actually wanted to visit the older portion to see how small the original airport felt before the recent addition to the new F/G gates.


AB/HG check-in counters in the older terminal


TK and SU check-in counters in the older terminal

Most of the non-LH family utilizes the older terminal as well as a couple of fellow Star partners such as TK and BR. This check-in hall reminded me of MAD T3. Since there was not much further I could venture into in the old building, I decided to go ahead and head to check-in and see if I could get a shower in the OS Lounge.


QR check-in counter in the new terminal.

Just after the QR check-in counters are the Y counters for OS. There were rather long lines for general check-in as well as the self-service kiosks. Just after them, another set of Y check-in counters along with self-baggage desks. This set up is a bit different than what I have seen at MUC, AMS, and OSL.


OS offers their version of a self-baggage system

I approached the J/Senator desks, which were relatively empty. When I approached, the agent from desk 376, she smiled and welcomed me to her desk. I told her I had checked-in last night at the CAT station and that I would need to stop to pick-up a new boarding pass. She had that puzzled look, and when I handed her my boarding pass, she said she would find out the reason why. She informed me that I would need to stop by the service counter an hour before flight departure for secondary screening. At that point, the reason towards my wonderful SSSS made more sense. I told her that I would check-in my smaller hand luggage and asked if the one I had checked in last night would make my flight. She saw that I had one bag associated to my check-in and that she would check my smaller one. She reissued my boarding pass to reflect the two bags I had checked in and put both ticket receipts onto a baggage information slip. She handed everything back in one pile and then tried to stand up and point me in the direction to go as well how to get to the lounge. I thanked her for her help and walked around a bit more, including taking a better picture of the TV wall preceding security.


Another view of J/Senator counters post check-in


Apron view from the check-in hall


Tons of people checking in for flights at the far end of the check-in hall.


The unmanned Do & Co A la Carte counter promoting an upgraded meal experience for purchase. If I was in Y, I would have taken offer with this.

The nice feature of this video wall is to separate a rather boring and tedious security process. At least they offer a Priority Lane manned by an agent to double-check. Unfortunately, I like doing my own scanning, so I scan it before she verifies it. Immediately after scanning, the subway gates open, and I make my way through to the rather empty security area, especially for priority.


Video wall featuring an NYC aerial view


Post security

I could have and should have looked at the layout of the Schengen F-gates. Instead, I decided to go ahead and pass through passport control and go relax in the lounge.


My IAD flight listed


Slightly confusing sign where it would advertise only for the lounges, but it is also the direction to G gates.


Reaching top of escalator to Floor G which is home to the OS Schengen and non-Schengen lounges as well as departing gates for non-Schengen flights.


Entrance into OS Non-Schengen lounge


Other airlines that could use the lounge.


Direction to the Business side.

I entered the lounge with no one present. I waited about a minute till an agent from the Senator lounge came out and apologized in English for the wait. I guess she saw I held my US passport in hand and started to speak to me in English. I did not really wait long as I was still fumbling a bit with my passport and boarding pass. I handed her my boarding pass for her to scan. She welcomed me into the J lounge. I asked her if I needed to reserve a shower room. She checked one second and called one of the shower attendants. One had just been cleaned and ready for me. She handed me off to another lounge agent who escorted me to the showers. I thank her and followed my escort to the showers.


Shower area in the lounge.

I expected a bit of a brighter shower room, especially in the celestial light blue that is used on the bellies of their planes. The colors made it feel like these should be the colors used for the showers at the LX Arrivals Lounge. Water pressure and water termperature were great; the one thing I slightly wished for was better air conditioning so I did not feel like I was sweating after having taking a cold shower. Yet, I’m from Houston where air conditioning is king. The shower relaxed me and got me ready to enjoy OS service in J. No key or surrendering of boarding passes were needed to use the facilities, just ensure that I leave towel on the floor and indicate to cleaning staff the shower had been used. After changing, it was time to relax a bit and see what I could eat this morning.




Alpine vista upon entering the lounge.


Seating area near the entrance into the lounge.




Relatively quiet OS lounge.

Opposed to the last time I was here, the lounge was a bit quiet this early, yet the lounge seats at the far end remained occupied as usual by men of Slavic descent. I think I sat at the same place from my previous visit.


Yogurt station


Bread station

I remember there was a bit more on offer last year when I visited the lab. This time, I was surprisingly disappointed of the lack of offerings. I did get to enjoy some yogurt and the sparkling strawberry drink. Otherwise, no other whole fruits and a rather abysmal bread basket were offered this day. I did get to enjoy the morning aircraft movements while enjoying my fizzy drink.


The only decent things to eat in the lounge


PS EJet probably heading back to KBP


KL 73G arriving from AMS


OS 772 probably arriving from BKK and on taxi.


Luxair Q400


What a cute OS Fokker!

I should put a small break here. Last year, this building was rather new, so it was clean with nothing in between the various glass walls. This building has an interesting use of glass walls where there is one layer that covers the building and then alternating layers. The arrangement could be used to provide air circulation in the building, maybe even provide some energy-saving measures. Thus, while watching, you can hear the air howling and other echoing. I did notice the airport and OS does try to keep the windows clean from outside dust. However, there were a bunch of dead bugs littered around in between the layered walls. In a couple of years, they will need to do a major vacuuming to remove that collection.


Germanwings and Air Serbia


BR A330 from TPE-BKK


More OS Fokkers


The rather busy OS Schengen Lounge


A collection of OS shorthaul planes

I had lucked out by getting to the lounge rather early. After sitting and watching planes go by for the past hour, the lounge had filled up considerably with people milling around trying to find a place to sit, as well as drowning out the noise of a rather loud British-Indian gentleman snoring in front of the TV.


G21 for my flight to IAD is not open yet.

Because I knew I had to enjoy some wonderful secondary screening, I decided to head on out of the lounge an hour before our scheduled departure. I thanked the attendants for letting me visit again, and they wished me a pleasant flight.


Entering the Duty Free Zone at the G gates.


Last minute Austrian souveniers


Demel VIE outlet.


The last few high-end stores at the G gates.


G21 is showing “open”.


First of a couple OS Service counters.


Two OS 763s probably waiting to head to ORD and EWR


OS advert for JFK and EWR service.


Glass view down to the F gates along the main walkways of the G gates.


OE-LPE waiting at G21 to take me to IAD today.


Interesting sitting cubicles


Passengers waiting to board flights.


Document checks of passengers with OS cardstock boarding passes.

I decide to see what I needed to do to get the “wonderful” SSSS removed from my boarding pass. I queued up to the Indian agent who would let IAD passengers enter the gate area. I gave him my boarding pass and passport asking if there was anything I needed to do. He handed back my items and said to queue up at the passport processing desk.


Passport processing desk and reprinting of boarding passes to OS stock.

Like last year, all passengers need to stop at appointed service centers to get their passports process for entry into the US. At the same time, if you did not have an OS stock boarding pass, they will reprint one for you. Many connecting passengers from the Balkans required a reprint of their boarding passes. When it was my turn, the agent ensured my information was correctly entered. She held onto my passport and a new boarding pass while calling a colleague who was also escorting an African national with a Maltese passport seeking asylum. I couldn’t help but notice the documents inside an envelope with the word “asylum” on it. This colleague would take us to a secondary security area to undergo secondary screening just across our departure gate. I’m usual to this type of screening, especially after 9/11. Basically I go through the metal detector while my bags go through the x-ray. One officer asks to go through my bag with my permission, while another wipes it down to get a gas-chromatograph (GC) scan for any drugs or explosives. They find nothing out of the ordinary with my bag and the GC finds nothing alarming. Finally, I get the body full body pat. Again I don’t mind, but it goes by a lot better if a hot guy does it.

Since I pass with no alarms, the cute officer that patted me down hands me back my passport and new boarding pass, without taking one last peak and says “Have a safe flight Mr. C.” followed by a wink. I gave him a “danke” with a wink that made him smile a bit.


Fellow passengers waiting to board the plane and clogging the main walking areas.

I head on over to G21 where they had already allowed pre-boarding of priority passengers and now calling passengers needing assistance and those with children.

VIE - IAD
13 August 2014
OS 93
777-200 ER
ETD: 10:25
ATD: 11:09
ETA: 14:20
ATA: 14:15


OS 93 Now boarding

Unlike last year when they had called for priority passengers and I got called by the Filipino gate agent for boarding early but showed him my boarding pass, this time around, with plenty of families boarding and clogging 2 of 3 of the nearest boarding self-boarding gates, I use the furthest where a an agent stood patiently waiting. I scanned my boarding pass and she smiled with a “Guten Flug!”


Taking the escalator down to boarding level.


I bypass the slow couple in front of me who got separated from their party and continue my walk to OE-LPE.


An OS 763 waiting for departure from F15/G15.


OS-branded cars


Heading down the jetway.


FA waiting to greet passengers after they get to select from a couple of newspapers on offer.

Bypassing the newspapers, I am welcomed on board with “Grüß Gott!” by 2 OS FAs in their sexy red dress and stockings. I wondered how they would look with the infamous DL red coat dress to go with the red stockings. I showed Margaret, who would end serving me throughout the flight, my boarding pass and smiled. She told me to cross the galley and I should find my seat. As I crossed the galley, I encountered my first male OS FA, Joachim. Unlike the FAs that predominantly wear red, the males wear a white button down shirt with grey trousers with a red vest and tie. Joachim escorted me to my seat and asked if I needed any assistance. At that moment, I did not so he said he would return in a bit.


A sister 772 getting ready to probably head to JFK.




Seats in front of me.

On OS’s 763s, they use a 1-2-1 configuration. On their 772s, they use an alternating 1-2-1 / 2-2-2 configuration where the “1” sections are the “throne” seats. As tempting to try out a throne seat, I chose 4K because I wanted an actual window seat and did not want to be hindered by side table. OS also does have a smaller J section after 2L/R, but unlike the LX Stübli, the OS “Stübli” is sandwiched between the J galley and probably families with bassinets.


Looking across the aisle

Today’s flight would be rather open in J. Just like my LX flight, I had no one sit across from me. I got to use the quilts for bed padding and then sleep with some extra pillows. I waited a bit to see if they would take amenity kits, but before take off, a disturbed-looking FA who did not thankfully work in my cabin, went through to pick up the remaining amenity kits. I will say I was a bit bummed that the kits offered today were not “Das Austrian Tascherl” promoted on their YouTube page.

Joachim returned from the front galley and started to hand out menus to the passenger on the right-side of the plane, while Margaret handed out menus on the left side. After he passed out menus, he started to take drink orders by memory. A few minutes later he came back with some white wine.


Menu and my pre-flight drink.

Aroud 10:30am, about fifteen minutes after I had boarded the plane, Capt Michael Buchanan welcomed us on board where he and First Officer Marla Roefls would be taking us to IAD. At that moment, we would need to wait for about 20 min for about 70 passengers coming in from delayed connecting flights.


Gratuitous feet pic for seat pitch

After the Captain gave his welcome message, our Do&Co chef started taking lunch orders that would be served a bit later in flight. He started going down the left aisle and then finishes going up the right aisle. It took a while for him to get to me.


Amenity kit and power outlet


Our proposed flight route.


European view


Flight information

By 11:08, VIE groundstaff closed the doors, and the FAs prepared the plane for departure. At that time, our Purser Natalie directed our attention to the monitors for the inflight safety video. I remember Margaret and Joachim standing at position during the safety video. Once that was over, we pushed back from the gate and made our runway 34.

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After taking that video, I reclined my seat all the way to full bed mode because I was getting sleepy again and I was ready to just lie down. While I rested a bit, I could hear the Purser’s and Captain’s welcomes but could not remember them. The next time I woke up, we were supposedly around the Czech and German border, somewhere between Prague and Dresden, deviating a bit from our proposed flight plan. I missed hearing the seatbelt sign go off, but did here neighboring passengers opening and closing their overhead bins. At that time, I could also hear and see commotion going on in the galleys and figured they would be starting lunch service soon.

One thing I know that is a bit of a downfall about an aspect of OS service is their lack of content on their IFE. Their monitors have the retina display, which give clear picture. However, there was not much to watch, except for one little Austrian documentary program, which contributed to why I wanted to visit Vienna again.






YES! I loved her win at this year’s Eurovision!

While I was watching the ORF program about Conchita Wurst, Joachim helped Margaret prepare our side for the meal service while Margaret covered for Natalie. After first drinks were done, Joachim disappeared from the main J cabin for most of the flight. As Joachim started to set up he noticed me watching Conchita’s documentary. He fit in a bit of small talk when asking for my drink order. He asked if I knew about her and he talked about watching the Eurovision finals at a party and then was at the airport the day she arrived with the trophy. He finished up setting my table and then he was off to the next passenger behind me.



As I mentioned, after Joachim finished setting putting white linens, utensils, and the whole set up, he disappeared and the rest of the time Margaret and Natalie handled the forward J cabin. I could watch the Do&Co chef setting up actual carts rather than usual carts for the initial meal service. After set up, the chef equipped the carts with the various appetizers.


A collection of appetizers.

Overall most of the appetizers tasted good. The only one that I would rank as least favorite was the beans, followed by the pickled beets with goat cheese. I’m not much of a goat cheese fan. In terms of presentation, Margaret could have done a better job, but then the appetizers were a bit messy and there were some turbulence.

Margaret would peruse the aisle to get a feel once everyone had their plate of appetizers. In the mean time, the chef would prepare the soup cart and clean out the lower tiers for the FAs to pick up used appetizer plates.


Cream of Mushroom Soup.

The soup tasted ok. It definitely had that mushroom flavor and not watered down like many soups in the air. While we enjoyed our soup, Margaret and Natalie would walk around to see if everyone was doing good. They would top off drinks without asking. At this time, Natalie asked if passengers would partake in the “world-renowned” Viennese coffee menu and would hand over the menu to passengers to peruse the various selection provided by Demel. I of course would be enjoying this part of the meal service!

When I finished my soup, Margaret picked up my soup bowl while I waited just a bit before she returned with the main course.


Goulash und Spaetzle

This probably was the only low point of the flight. I saw this main and thought the Do&Co chef did not give enough food and then saw how the plate lacked presentation. Otherwise, it tasted delicious with a nice paprika taste to the goulash and a nice brown buttery taste to the spaetzle. I really wish I could have asked for a second helping of this dish, but then I knew I would be stuffed after the coffee course.


Conchita back in Wien

While I was enjoying my main, Natalie went to each passenger and asked if they had decided which coffee item they would enjoy. Of course, I had to continue my love for Wiener Eiskaffee!


Dessert

After Margaret and Natalie picked up most of the main course plates and had given another topping off of drinks, the chef arranged the carts for the dessert course. The menu listed three items available to enjoy, yet I picked two of them because one contained nuts.


Eiskaffe

As I enjoyed the last of my desserts, Natalie served my delicious Eiskaffe at around 12:30, Vienna time. While I did not feel as full after eating everything up to the dessert, this satisfied that missing piece in the meal. Now I would be ready to put my seat in the full-flat bed mode with the extra blanket i used as a mattress and a couple of extra pillows.


Finished the meal just south of the Emerald Isle.


Looks like we flew over ORK.

By the time I had finished my meal and the biopic of Conchita Wurst, it was time to rest up and get as much as possible as I had plenty of time to head into the city, especially try out the new Silver Line, which had just opened.


Still have over 6hrs in the flight.

At most I got a total of 4.5hrs of sleep on the flight. I thought I would be tired, but I still had the same excitement and restlessness that I had before I had started this whole trip. Yet, while this one would end later that day, I had less than 2 weeks before another one would start, making it a total of two new countries and three new cities I could add to my growing list of places I have visited.





Message shown to all that a quick meal will be served prior to arrival.


Flying NE of BOS.


Salmon starter

I will say that I misplaced my menu, so I do not know what else was offered with this plate because I forgot to also take a picture of it. What I do remember with this short service, Margaret served it when we were less than two hours away from IAD, just passing the US-Canada border. Prior to serving the plate, she did come through offering an oshibori as well as putting a white linen on the rather cumbersome tray table.




Alpine motifs for the amenity kit holders next to the seats.

After the quick meal, I returned my seat to lie-flat mode because I could. I tried to lay on my back just to enjoy my last few moments on this flight.


Fluffy white clouds

With thirty minutes left in the flight, Captain Michael returned onto the PA system and let everyone know about our arrival into IAD, with a current land temperature of 78F. He hoped we had enjoyed the flight and thanked us for choosing OS.


We’re getting close to IAD


FA Elizabeth getting ready for arrival. She worked the smaller section of the J cabin on this flight.

At this time Joachim returned and ensured all bags were returned, everyone belted up, and seats upright. He thanked each of us for flying with OS. With a few minutes left in the flight, I captured the arrival into IAD.

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After landing on 1C, we made our way to Concourse B, which OS uses at IAD. Did a bit of spotting along the way to gate B49/B51.


AA 738 in new livery


A couple of “moonbuggies” just baking under Virginia sun.


I believe we are about to pull into the gate with 2 moonbuggies waiting for our arrival.

As a foreign airline other than UA, we parked at Concourse B. For our flight 2 moonbuggies would take us to two different areas, one takes you to the main arrivals hall if IAD is your final destination, while the other takes you to the secondary arrivals hall for those connecting onto other flights, particularly UA flights. It makes sense if you are on a *A flight connecting to a *A flight, but not sure, for example, if you arrive on AF and connect onto a UA flight.


Inside a moonbuggie. I knew I should have sat closer to where we entered.


Danke Schöne OE-LPE!


LH A330 from MUC had arrived before we did.