StuartI flew from Heathrow Airport to Vienna with Austrian Airlines Business Class to connect with my flight at Vienna onwards to Bangkok. Indirect flights like this are generally better value than flying direct as the fares tend to be cheaper due to less taxes particularly when flying in premium classes.
Check in and security
I checked in at Heathrow Airport. The Austrian Airlines Business Class check in was very quick and there was no queue at the check in desks. They checked me in all the way through to Bangkok so I got my boarding passes for both legs and my baggage was checked all the way through.
As part of the Business Class ticket I got fast track through security at Heathrow Terminal 2 which made the experience very smooth and after security I made my way to the Business Class Lounge.
Heathrow Terminal 2 Business Lounge for Austrian Airlines Business Class
As they are part of the Lufthansa Group, the lounge that Austrian Airlines use in Terminal 2 is the Lufthansa Lounge which is split in to 2 sections: the main Business Class lounge and the Senator Lounge which is open to First Class passengers and those who hold Star Alliance Gold status. As I had a Business Class ticket and no status, I was in the main lounge.
It is quite a large lounge with comfortable seating in addition to dining tables and chairs and stools that have power points if you want to do some work. At the time I went, there were plenty of seats available but I can imagine it could get crowded at times. If you are entitled to access the Senator Lounge you will be given a ticket with a barcode on it to access it. This confused some people as they thought their boarding pass would enable them to get in.
The food was buffet-style with a range of hot and cold food. Not a massive selection but enough to keep you going. Beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks together with sparkling wine were available as self-pour.
There were also TVs dotted about that were showing the BBC news channel.
Boarding the flight
By the time I got to the gate, they had already started boarding the flight. They boarded passengers in groups. The highest being Business Class and status passengers, followed by Economy Passengers. Boarding was reasonable efficient and i was soon sat down in my seat awaiting take off.
Inflight on Austrian Airlines Business Class
The Austrian Airlines Business Class seats are in a 3-3 layout (3 either side of the aisle) but, unlike Economy, the middle seat is blocked out to give you more personal space. The legroom is quite decent as well.
After take off, I was offered a drink from the bar which includes complimentary beers, wines, sprits and soft drinks. I settled for a glass of champagne to start with.
The meal then came through. Unlike British Airways, I was not given a choice of meal and it was Austrian sausage and mash. Not to my taste but it was only a short flight. I had another glass of champagne with the meal.
The flight was on time and disembarkation was easy and painless.
I then made my way through to flight connections to get ready for my next flight to Bangkok.
