Austrian Airlines Business Class – a very classy business
For business travellers heading off to central Europe, nothing could be easier than skipping out of Australia via Bangkok then straight into Vienna.
Code sharing with Thai from both Melbourne and Sydney the connections to Austrian Airlines flights direct to Vienna are as seamless as can be.
And for those travelling business class on Austrian, a true business class experience is exactly what they will get.
Travellers, particularly those who clock up countless frequent flyer points, have their own set of criteria for rating the airlines they use. On-time departures, scheduling, passenger comfort and safety all rate highly on their rating scales.
But almost without exception, the professionalism of cabin crew is used as a litmus test to gauge the pleasure or success of the flight.
The cabin crew on Austrian Airlines are the epitome of what we all expect from a flight crew.
First, they are professional. The particular crew on flight 26 to Vienna demonstrated a level of professionalism that has long gone from many airlines.
Attentive and caring, they ensured every passenger in their care not only got through the long flight unscathed, they made sure they actually enjoyed it.
There is no casual familiarity often seen on budget airlines yet there was no pompous avoidance of customer care either. I’ve often noted on long haul flights the growing and annoying trend – the “feed ‘em and forget ‘em” approach to service. Once the initial service is over, some fight attendants are less visible than David Copperfield on one if his good days.
But not the guys at Austrian. They constantly survey their cabin, delivering a personalised service and giving exactly what business class passengers expect.
With their colleague – the flying chef in the front galley, they deliver freshly cooked meals that could rival some of the plated food seen in some Melbourne or Sydney restaurants. As in a five star hotel, you’re asked to complete your breakfast menu before the wines have taken effect and hey presto! You’re woken several hours later with a tray of freshly cooked breakfast.
With the flying chef and his food (if you get a chance, try the rack of lamb), the amenities, the cabin comfort, the entertainment system and fabulous Viennese coffee, the flight seems to take half the time it should.
It’s a bit of a pity it’s all so quick though, the Austrian flight attendants are the sort of people you’d like to get to know a bit better.
Just have to take more flights with them I suppose!
A Report by international travel writer Kevin Moloney on location [or at least on his way to] Austria and Central Europe.
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