Beginning on October 1 Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian passengers will have a simplified three-tiered Economy fare choice for intra-European travel. The structure is loosely based on the current Germanwings concept that affords different ‘extras’ based on which of the 3 classes is booked.
The 3 Economy fare options will be ‘Light’, ‘Classic’, and ‘Flex’ and here is a breakdown of what the characteristics are for each of the 3:
LIGHT:
1 piece of carry-on luggage up t0 8 kilograms / 17 pounds.
Fares will be non-refundable and non-changeable.
For additional fees you can select your seat prior to check-in, check a bag (up to 50 kilograms / 23 pounds) or book seats with extra leg room such as bulkhead and exit row seating.
Eligible for Award and Status miles.
CLASSIC:
1 piece of luggage up to 23 kilograms / 50 pounds.
1 carry-on up to 8 kilograms / 17 pounds.
Free seat selection at the time of booking.
For additional fees you will be able to check additional baggage or select seats with extra leg room such as bulkhead or exit row seating.
Fares can be rebooked for a fee, but are non-refundable.
Eligible for Award and Status miles.
FLEX:
1 piece of luggage up to 23 kilograms / 50 pounds.
1 carry on up to 8 kilograms 17 / pounds.
Free seat selection at the time of booking.
For additional fees you will be able to check additional luggage or select seats with extra leg room such as bulkhead or exit row seating.
Fares can be rebooked for free and refundable for a fee.
Eligible for Award and Status miles.
50% Award Mile Bonus.
Regardless of which fare class is booked, Miles and More members will retain their status benefits so access to lounges, priority boarding, priority security etc. will not be affected. Star Alliance Gold members also will be able to use their benefits as well, including access to Senator lounges, priority check-in, etc. However, regardless of status level, passengers will be required to pay for a seat if they wish to choose a seat at booking under a ‘Light Fare’ and will need to pay if checking a bag.
Additionally, onboard catering will not be impacted by which fare class you select. All passengers in Economy will receive the same level of beverage and meal service.
Booking for these new fare classes will be open beginning June 23 for SWISS flights while Austrian and Lufthansa will open their booking systems for these new fares starting on July 28. Remember, these fares take effect for travel beginning on October 1, 2015.
Beginning in 2016, Passengers travelling on Austrian will notice a subtle, yet obvious change to the uniforms that will be worn by Cabin Crew and other OS employees who typically wear uniforms.
The new uniforms retain some of the current look and red will continue to be the main color of most outfits. However, the new style takes on an edgier and more modern look thanks to the vision of Vienna native Marina Hoermanseder whose design was selected by OS.
At stake, however, is the decision on whether or not the red shoes or stockings continue to be part of the uniform. AUSTRIAN has asked their female employees who wear the uniform to vote on whether or not to continue with red shoes and stockings when the new uniforms are introduced.
A sneak peak at the new look along with a behind the scenes video featuring the designer and the photo shoot:
For those of you enrolled in Miles & More (MM), I assume that you are familiar with the monthly ‘Mileage Bargains’ that are published by the program. These bargains usually provide a 50% discount on the amount of miles needed to book Economy or Business class tickets to a select group of destinations.
The deal is also available for travel to the US that originates in Austria, with several US destinations qualifying under the deal.
Typically, an MM Business Class redemption will set you back 105,000 miles (round trip). However, with the Mileage Bargain promo, you’ll be asked to part with only 55,000 miles (plus taxes/fees).
When given an unusual opportunity where you can fly one of the best Business Class products between the US and Europe for the ‘cost’ of an Economy Ticket as far as miles are concerned, you’d be foolish not to take advantage of the deal!
The promo ends on May 30th or when inventory is depleted.
AUSTRIAN has partnered Vienna’s Tourist Board and has begun offering the Vienna Card to their passengers.
With the card (€18.90 for 48 hours / €21.90 for 72 hours), ‘OS’ passengers can take advantage of over 200 discounts to sites and attractions within Vienna. This also includes the ability to travel Vienna’s mass transit system (Train/Buses/Trams) for free. In addition, Austrian passengers traveling in Economy will receive 10% off of the cost of admission to Austrian’s 3 Business Class Lounges in Vienna’s Airport (VIE). The cost of lounge access is €35.00 (per passenger) before the discount and can only be used once on the date of your departure.
To learn more about the card and to see the list of specific venues where the discounts apply, please visit the Vienna Tourism website.
The card will be available for purchase directly through Austrian’s website right after you complete you booking. You can also buy the card at locations throughout Vienna including hotels, tourist information centers, the central train station, and Winier Linien locations.
Due to the scheduled strike by French Air Traffic Controllers that will take place between Wednesday and Friday, Lufthansa Group carriers have been forced to cancel flights to and from Paris.
Thus far, LH has canceled 24 flights for April 8 departing from Frankfurt and Munich, and should the strike go into a second day, additional cancellations can be expected for Thursday April 9. In addition, Germanwings has canceled 12 flights that are scheduled to operated between France and Germany on April 8.
Austrian and Brussels are warning that their flights may be impacted by the strike but they have not published any information regarding cancelled flights as yet.
