Austrian Airlines launches first-ever Boeing 787 Dreamliner with service to New York
It's a new era at Austrian Airlines. The flag carrier of Austria took off Monday with its first-ever flight aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to its inaugural destination: New York City.
The Vienna-based carrier recently took delivery of its first 787-9, and it inaugurated the new jet Monday with nonstop service to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The return flight to Vienna departs Monday evening.
It's the first in a series of Dreamliner deliveries Austrian expects this summer and beyond; each will feature a spiffy and all-new business class cabin with lie-flat seats.
Eventually, these 787s will replace the Boeing 767 and 777 jets making up the carrier's current wide-body fleet.
Ahead of the late-afternoon departure from Vienna, airline leaders cut the ribbon at a gateside ceremony in the Austrian capital.
The aircraft's inaugural service departed to JFK just after 5 p.m. local time.
In keeping with its planned itinerary going forward, the jet is expected at JFK just after 8 p.m. local time. It will then depart JFK bound for Vienna at 9:45 p.m., with a next-day arrival just before noon local time.
Cabin interior
Austrian's new Dreamliners are arranged in a three-cabin configuration.
Up front, travelers will find 26 business-class pods. Each appears to have direct aisle access, entertainment screens and ample storage.
The carrier shared photos showing the tan-colored pods with black seat coverings and bright red headrests — fitting the airline's signature color scheme.
Though the aesthetics are different, the pods appear to be a very similar product to what you'll find in business class on American Airlines' Dreamliners. (I had the chance to fly in those seats just last week.)
Austrian's Dreamliners also offer 21 seats in premium economy, with 247 seats in the main cabin — each with an inflight entertainment screen.
Overhauling its wide-body fleet
This is far from the only 787-9 the carrier will add to its fleet.
The carrier expects to have a total of two Dreamliners in service by sometime this summer, according to a spokesperson for Lufthansa Group, the airline's parent company
Loyalty basics: Best ways to earn airline miles
The airline expects a total of nine 787 deliveries by 2028, which will help it phase out its existing long-haul fleet of Boeing 767 and 777 jets.
"This year marks a significant turning point for Austrian Airlines," the carrier said in a statement. "Fleet modernization and growth with the Boeing 787-9 has begun.
Booking with points and miles
Hoping to book a flight on the Austrian's new 787-9 with points or miles? There are a few ways.
Austrian is a member of the Star Alliance, making it an alliance partner with North American carriers United Airlines and Air Canada — and a potential option for booking partner awards.
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