Flight Review: Austrian Airlines Airbus A320 Business Class – TGD-VIE-FCO

After our brief visit to Montenegro, we headed back to Rome. Air Montenegro does not fly to Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) every day and there were no flights on the day we needed. We flew Air Montenegro to Podgorica Airport (TGD) and had a positive experience (review here). Austrian Airlines worked for our schedule even though we would need to connect at Vienna Airport (VIE). Both flights departed and arrived on time, offered tasty meals, and the service was efficient and friendly. I’ve always had good experiences on Austrian Airlines and yesterday was no different.

Anthony’s Take: Austrian Airlines uses Do & Co for its catering and it’s excellent. The desserts are particularly good. One flight had Wi-Fi, but no chargers. The other flight had chargers, but no Wi-Fi. The inconsistency was my only complaint as the service and timeliness of both flights was great.

Booking

The flights were booked directly with Austrian Airlines in Business Class and they were expensive. Each ticket cost $816. I used The Platinum Card® from American Express to earn 5x points per $1 on this $1,632 charge (8,160 points total). We were unable to check in when the time came. After calling Austrian Airlines, I was told that Podgorica Airport (TGD) is an airport where all passengers must check in at the airport. We did this and were fine.

Podgorica Airport (PGD)

The airport is tiny and does not have any lounges or many amenities. Once clearing security and passport control, there is a duty-free store as well as a cafe. There are 10 gates total (eight for departures and two for arrivals).

Vienna Airport (VIE)

Vienna Airport (VIE) is the hub for Austrian Airlines. It’s a decent sized airport with all of the shopping, restaurants, and amenities that any other cosmopolitan location would offer. We spent our time in the Senator Lounge near the G and F Gates before boarding our flight. I’ll review this lounge separately. It was pleasant and we had a tasty meal before the flight. The last time we were here, we used the dedicated area for HON Circle and First Class passengers (review here).

Boarding

Both flights boarded on time. The gate areas were crowded, but we arrived early enough to be some of the first to board when Business Class, Star Alliance Gold, and HON Circle members were all called at once. In Podgorica Airport (PGD), boarding passes were manually scanned. Automatic gate readers were used at Vienna Airport (VIE). We walked outside for the first flight and down a jet bridge for the second. Thankfully, neither required a bus ride.

On-Board

We selected seats 2A and 2C for both flights as the bulkhead was booked. Airbus A320 aircraft were used for both segments. They are arranged in a 3-3 configuration with the first two rows and three rows designated Business Class on our flights.

The middle seats are blocked for extra space. A movable curtain allows the airline to extend or shrink the cabin size. For the first flight, no one was booked in 1A and 1C, so we moved up. We remained in 2A and 2C for the second flight.

Flight attendants used the other side of the bulkhead row to hang their jackets for the duration of the flight.

Seat Features

The seats reclined and had tray tables. One Airbus A320 had power outlets and the other did not offer any power outlets. Pockets held an air sickness bag and the in-flight menu.

There were individual reading lights and air nozzles above each seat on both flights.

Only the second flight offered USB-C and USB-A chargers.

Food

We were provided with a choice of beverage and a meal on both flights. The first segment offered cold beef and beans along with a bread roll (warmed) and a chocolate cake. It was a nice snack and much better than anything you’ll see on a US carrier (especially on a one-hour flight). The second flight offered a hot meal with a veal meatball, vegetables, mashed potatoes, a bread roll (warmed) and tiramisu.

I had an iced tea on the first flight and sparkling water mixed with apple juice on the second.

Lindt chocolates were handed out on both flights before landing.

Wi-Fi

One flight offered Wi-Fi and it worked well. It cost €6 for the flight. The second flight did not offer Wi-Fi.

Lavatory

There are three lavatories on the aircraft (one up front). The flights were short and the lavatories were clean.

The lavatories were standard size.

I liked that there were sanitary wipes and air freshener in the lavatory.

Service

The flight attendants on both segments were friendly and efficient. I love the all-red uniforms and find Austrian to offer solid in-flight service in general.

Overall Impression:

We departed and arrived on time. The flights were short and offered tasty meals and pleasant service. I like Austrian Airlines and really want to try one of their long-haul flights to or from the US.