Category Archives: Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines has introduced a new 60th Anniversary livery on its new Boeing 777-200 OE-LPF.

The airline issued this statement and photo:

The new Boeing 777 with the registration OE-LPF which will be added to the long-haul fleet of Austrian Airlines starting in the middle of May 2018 shines in a new design.

The painting and labelling work on the aircraft, that is still undergoing modifications in Hong Kong, was successfully completed. Accordingly, the design refresh on an aircraft of the Austrian Airlines fleet can be seen in Hong Kong today for the first time. In addition to that, the Boeing 777 features a special labelling on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Austrian Airlines. An extra large “60” is shown on the right side in the flight direction, and two people in flying postures are depicted on each side. The flying posture is derived from the 60th anniversary campaign of Austrian Airlines. In this context Austrian Airlines employees are shown as if they were flying in line with the motto “Austria is flying”.

The number 60 and the four figures on the Boeing 777 are comprised of about 2,300 individual pictures of Austrian Airlines employees, who were photographed for this special occasion to make the Boeing 777 smile. On balance, the “60” on the jet attains a height of 11.3 meters and a width of 5.6 meter. The figures boast a height of up to 7 meters. Each individual image has a size of 17 x 11.2 cm and is thus somewhat bigger than a postcard or the DIN A6 format.

The new visual appearance of the fleet

The “Triple Seven”, as this wide-body aircraft is named in the aviation industry, is the first Austrian Airlines aircraft to feature the adjustments made to the brand image. The extension of the red area from the empennage downwards across the fuselage optically enlarges the empennage. As a result, the logo is more dynamically highlighted and shown to be bigger. The wordmark “Austrian” in the front area of the fuselage is displayed over a larger surface area and is thus clearly readable from far away. The jet engines shine in a resplendent white. As a result, the chevron and wordmark “Austrian” are visually highlighted in a more charming manner. The typical Austrian salutation “Servus” remains on the aircraft belly. One by one each aircraft in the fleet will be gradually modified to feature the new design over the next seven years.

OE-LPF is still in Hong Kong at present

The Boeing 777 with the registration OE-LPF is still being subject to modifications in Hong Kong in order to fulfill the standards of Austrian Airlines. The wide-body aircraft will be transferred from Hong Kong to Vienna in May and then start to operate for Austrian Airlines. The Boeing 777-200ER with a height of 18.8 meters, a length of 63.7 meters and a wingspan of 60.9 meters, is the largest aircraft in the Austrian Airlines fleet. Thanks to the addition of OE-LPF, the Austrian home carrier will have a total of six Boeing 777-200ER jets in its fleet.

Austrian Airlines again updates its livery

Austrian Airlines has made this announcement:

• Adaptations to the branding to fulfil demands of the digital world
• Logo more easily and clearly recognizable on mobile devices and smart watches thanks to small adjustments
• Adjustments in the digital domain will be gradually transferred to the entire brand environment, also on aircraft.
• First visible sign: the new Boeing 777 OE-LPF at its first appearance in Vienna in May 2018

Austrian Airlines is making itself fit for the digital world and is further developing its branding. Small-scale adjustments are being carried out against the backdrop of the planned relaunch of the Website and the app at the turn of the year 2018/19 as well as the stronger Internet presence being planned. The aim is to meet the demands of the digital world and thus be more modern. “Digitalization is changing our lives. Our products, our brand and our company are also making themselves fit for the digital future. The realignment of our branding is another important step in this direction”, explains Andreas Otto, Member of the Management Board and CCO of Austrian Airlines.

Adjustments to the logo

The focus is on a slight adaptation of the logo. Both core elements of the brand image, namely the chevron and the wordmark “Austrian” are being modernized to enhance their effect. This will particularly increase the long-distance effect on aircraft and billboards. In the meantime, 80 percent of Internet use takes place on a mobile basis. For this reason, particular attention is being attached to ensure that the logo is more easily and clearly recognizable on mobile devices and smart watches.

The brand values of individuality, competence and Austrianess will remain untouched. The typical “Austrian Airlines red”, which comprises the characteristic element of the airline’s branding, should be used in a more targeted manner as a distinguishing feature to set it apart from other airlines. At the same time, the logo should be deployed in a controlled and charming manner.

The visual appearance of the fleet

Adjustments made in the digital domain will be gradually transferred to the entire brand environment of Austrian Airlines. Accordingly, all customer touchpoints and the entire signage on the airports will be adapted. The livery of the fleet will also be gradually adjusted as soon as a new painting is anyway needed for the respective aircraft.

Showdown for the new Boeing 777 OE-LPF

The first aircraft to feature the new livery will be the new Boeing 777 OE-LPF, which can initially be viewed in Vienna at it´s arrival in May 2018. The long-haul aircraft is currently in Hong Kong, where it is being modified and adapted to fulfil the standards of Austrian Airlines.

On balance, it will take about seven years until all Austrian Airlines aircraft will have the new livery. 18 out of a total of 82 aircraft in the airline’s fleet should feature the new livery when the summer flight schedule for 2019 takes effect.

The primary new features of the aircraft’s exterior design: the empennage will be optically enlarged by expanding the red area from the empennage downwards across the fuselage. In this way, the logo is more dynamically highlighted and shown to be bigger. The wordmark “Austrian” in the front area of the fuselage is also displayed over a larger surface area and thus be clearly readable from far away. In the future the jet engines will be painted in a resplendent white. As a result, the chevron and wordmark “Austrian” will be visually highlighted in a more charming manner. The typical Austrian salutation “Servus” will remain on the aircraft belly.

Austrian Airlines will include two new long-haul destinations in its portfolio starting in 2018. As of May 15, 2018, it will offer up to five weekly flights to Tokyo, and also fly to Cape Town twice each week effective October 27, 2018. The airline will operate a Boeing 777 for both flights. The new destinations are made possible by the addition of a “Triple Seven”, as this wide-bodied aircraft is called in the aviation business. Austrian Airlines will integrate the new jet in its long-haul fleet in 2018.

The Boeing 777 aircraft has a seating capacity of about 300 seats. At present, Austrian Airlines operates six Boeing 767 and five Boeing 777 jets in its long-haul fleet. The additional Boeing 777 increases its long-haul fleet to a total of twelve aircraft.

In addition to Economy and Business Class, passengers will also already be able to fly in Premium Economy to the new destinations (but first bookable as of September 2017). Starting this autumn, all long-haul aircraft will be gradually remodeled to enable the installation of Premium Economy seats. Passengers flying in “Premium Eco” have their own seats featuring a larger reclining angle, more seat spacing and a broader seating surface. Moreover, the screen for on-line entertainment is bigger than in the Economy Class, and catering is upgraded.

Flights from Vienna to Tokyo will only be offered in the summer flight schedule on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The flight duration to Tokyo at a distance of more than 9,100 kilometers is about 11 hours.

Flight service from Vienna to Cape Town will only be offered in the winter flight schedule on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The flight time from Vienna to Cape Town is about 11 hours 25 minutes. Tickets can be booked starting on October 27, 2017.

Images: Austrian Airlines.

Austrian Airlines increases the number of flights to Tel Aviv

Austrian Airlines will fly 18 times each week from Vienna to Tel Aviv starting with the new summer flight schedule which takes effect on March 25, 2018.

This means up to four additional frequencies per week compared to the prior-year period. In the winter 2018/19 flight schedule, Austria’s national airline will further increase capacities: Austrian Airlines will fly up to 21 times per week to the Israeli metropolis on the Mediterranean, comprising a doubling of the number of flights compared to the 2017/18 winter flight schedule. The airline is currently assessing whether to further expand flight services from Vienna to Tel Aviv.

Austrian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Lufthansa Group is standardizing its Airbus A320 fleet

The Lufthansa Group is driving forward the standardization of its Airbus A320 fleet: Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Lufthansa and Swiss International are developing a standard specification for the Airbus A320 fleet. At the same time, the airline brands will be preserved by a different brand look.

The standardization process applies to aircraft that will be delivered to Lufthansa Group Airlines as of 2019 onward.

When it comes to standardization, the airlines are focusing on the large, cost-intensive components such as cabin design and the galley. However, even components such as emergency equipment or electronic flight bag systems should comply with a uniform and group-wide standard in future. Further standardization, for example with regard to freight loading, is being developed in cooperation with the manufacturer.

In the future, the Airbus A320 is to be configured and standardized from the outset in such a way that aircraft can be converted within a short time and with little effort when they are transferred between Lufthansa Group airlines. This will allow the Lufthansa Group to react more quickly and flexibly to current developments and to move aircraft and capacities more easily and efficiently between the airlines and the Group’s hubs.

Costs for conversion and layover time can be significantly reduced. Moreover, standardization will result in further synergies when purchasing aircraft.

All in all, Lufthansa Group airlines are expecting to receive around 100 brand-new aircraft from the Airbus A320neo family by 2025.

Copyright Photo: The pictured Austrian OE-LBY was ex-Lufthansa D-AIZK. Austrian Airlines Airbus A320-214 OE-LBY (msn 5122) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 938291.

Austrian Airlines aircraft slide show: