MegaDo Day 2: Austrian, New Airplane Seats and the World's Best Airline Catering
Welcome to the second installment of TPG Editor-at-Large Zach Honig's coverage of the 2017 Star Alliance MegaDo. This year's event takes AvGeeks from around the world on the adventure of a lifetime, including stops in Vienna, Brussels and Mallorca. Check back for daily reports, and follow along in real time on Instagram and Twitter.
Yesterday, I recapped my journey from New York to Vienna, which included a great flight on Alitalia and many hours of "carb-loading" in Rome. This morning, the real fun began, starting with presentations from Vienna Airport, Austrian Airlines and Star Alliance.
Join me below for an overview of the first full day of MegaDo 2017 — one of my most memorable AvGeek experiences to date.
Moxy, Contest Winner and Check-In
While most MegaDo attendees are staying at the NH Hotel a few blocks away, I decided to book the Moxy Vienna Airport, which was running $127 per night (compared with $200 for the NH). Moxy is also a Marriott brand, so I'll earn points and elite credit for my stay.
This is my first Moxy stay — overall, it feels like a cross between an Aloft and a super-high-end hostel. It's minimalist, for sure, but most guests probably aren't spending more than one night at an airport hotel. For $127 in a city known for having especially pricey hotels, the Moxy does the trick.
In addition to purchasing a seat for me, this year we partnered with the MegaDo team to invite a TPG reader along. Gianluca, a super-friendly AvGeek from Italy, was the lucky winner — we met up at breakfast this morning.
I then headed over to the NH for my official MegaDo check-in. I'm an official MegaDoer now!
An Austrian Airlines Overview
We started off in the deep end, with loads of background and interesting stats from Andreas Otto, CCO of Austrian Airlines, Vienna Airport managing director Michael Zach and industry vet Janice Antonson, who joined Star Alliance six months ago as Vice President of Commercial and Communications.
What I found most interesting was just how small of an airline Austrian is, despite being in business since 1957 — the carrier currently operates just 11 long-haul planes, including six 767s and five 777s. Now with Lufthansa's support (Austrian joined Lufthansa Group in 2009), the carrier plans to grow the fleet soon.
Stuffing My Face at Do & Co
I flew Austrian business class from New York to Vienna (and back) a couple years ago, and one of the highlights was the incredible catering — Austrian partners with Do & Co, which also handles the in-flight catering for Turkish Airlines.
After the morning session, attendees split off into three groups, and when I saw that one of the options was an afternoon with Do & Co, I decided right away which session I'd attend.
I figured a taste test would be part of the deal, but the experience went far beyond munching on some quality airplane food. We got to tour several departments at Do & Co's downtown Vienna headquarters, including a special kitchen that the in-house video production team uses to film cooking and plating demos with Do & Co chefs.
And of course, there was plenty to eat. At the end of our tour, we landed in the demo kitchen, where chefs had prepared a large variety of dishes, from perfectly cooked steak to an out-of-this world gnocchi with shaved truffle. Wow!
There were samples of Austrian's in-flight meals, too, from appetizers to dessert.
Gianluca's Maintenance Tour
While I was most excited about Do & Co, most of the MegaDo attendees chose different tours, instead, making their pick from a list of three options. One group got to experience airport operations at VIE, while another got to see Austrian's maintenance operations. Gianluca opted for that latter tour, and was kind enough to share his experience as well, which you'll find below.
For those who chose the technical operations center, the experience started right before reaching the hangars. Everyone was given a "boarding pass" and since the sites are an actual part of the airport, we were required to go through security, even though this happened in a different side of the VIE terminal.
After that we boarded a bus, which brought us to the technical hangars. During the visit, the operations center was hosting two different aircrafts: a Bombardier Dash-8 and an Embraer 195, which Austrian has begun rolling out to short and medium-haul routes.
The tour started with one of the most important aircraft components: the engines. Among all the available spare engines in the dedicated rooms, a gigantic GE90 (giving thrust to our beloved Boeing 777) was playing the star role. All of us got the chance to sit next to its huge fan blades and take close pictures of it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZQ_WQ6H_3R/
Back in the main hangar, we had a closer look at the two aircraft that were undergoing maintenance. You were allowed to walk up the stairs to the cabin and take a seat inside the cockpit. We were given an overview of the operations underway on both planes, including the safety and quality management procedures Austrian Airlines is known for.
Next, the visit continued with the wheel brakes maintenance hangar (on the way over, we got an exclusive sneak-peek of Niki Lauda's private jet). We learned that this technical center receives deliveries from Frankfurt and other Lufthansa focus cities in order to perform wheel and brake maintenance for the whole company. Unfortunately, we were asked not to take any pictures inside.
Austrian Premium Economy
After the tours were complete, all three groups met back near the hotel at VIE for a special surprise from Austrian Airlines.
We ended up getting an exclusive first look at the carrier's new premium economy product, which looks decent enough, though fairly standard — in fact, it's more or less identical to the seat that you'll find throughout Lufthansa's long-haul fleet.
You can read all about the new seat here.
Star Alliance Party
The final event of the evening was a party at Vienna's VIP Terminal — except, well, none of the attendees were allowed inside the VIP area. So let's call it a party in the lobby just outside the VIP Terminal.
There was Champagne, hors d'oeuvres and mini-desserts. But the highlight for me was watching attendees bid enthusiastically in a charity auction. There were some very high bids — for example, a year of Hyatt Globalist status (with just one suite upgrade instead of four) went for a cool $2,700.
Other auction winners took home a year of Miles & More Senator status ($3,000), a VIP Austrian Airlines tour for two people (also $3,000) and a 1:100-scale Austrian 777-200 model ($425). MegaDo is donating the proceeds to Mercy Flights, a Swiss refugee resettlement program and a school for the blind.
Day 2 Wrap-Up
We're just a third of the way through the 2017 MegaDo, but this has already been once of my most exciting trips to date.
There's much more fun to be had tomorrow, including two special charter flights, a visit to Brussels Airlines at BRU and a party at the Park Hyatt Mallorca. Stay tuned!
For more on the 2017 Star Alliance MegaDo, see:
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.