You may already know that Austrian Airlines is retrofitting its 777-200ERs. Not surprisingly, it isn't taking out seats but adding more in both premium economy and economy. Its 777s are becoming less premium, with higher volume and lower seat-mile costs, the same trend as other carriers globally. It's one way of increasing capacity from existing 'real estate'.
While Austrian's 777s might now be perceived as less comfortable, the airline is betting on this 'densification' transforming performance and competitiveness. From the latest schedule upload, five routes are down to see the reconfigured type from May 1st, in time for peak summer demand.
Austrian Airlines' six 777s
The 777-200 has long been with Austrian Airlines and is its primary widebody. The first three examples (OH-LPA, OH-LPB, OH-LPC) arrived in September and October 2005, each previously used by Lauda Air.
The trio was joined by a fourth example (OH-LPD) in January 2007 and a fifth (OH-LPE) in March 2014, both delivered from Boeing.
Finally, a sixth 777-200ER (OH-LPF) arrived in January 2018, previously with Brazil's long-defunct Varig and then Aeromexico. According to ch-aviation.com, Austrian's six-strong 777 subfleet averages 21.8 years of age.
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From 306 to 330 seats
All of Austrian's 777s presently have 306 seats but will be reconfigured with 24 more for a total of 330. Here's a breakdown of how things will change. Notice that it scheduled 38 seats in business and its website shows 38, but other sources say it has 40.
|
Seats |
Now |
When reconfigured |
Change |
% change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Business |
38 |
32 |
-6 |
-16% |
|
Premium economy |
24 |
40 |
+16 |
+67% |
|
Economy |
244 |
258 |
+14 |
+6% |
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330 seaters on five routes
According to the latest schedule upload over the weekend, the 330 seaters will first be used on May 1st, nicely in time for the higher-demanded peak summer season. They'll be deployed on the following, which isn't surprising as they're its 777 network. They're also important Star Alliance hubs:
- Vienna to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi: 1x daily from May 1st
- Vienna to Chicago O'Hare: 1x daily from May 1st
- Vienna to Newark: 1x daily from May 1st
- Vienna to Shanghai Pudong: 6x weekly from May 1st (but given restrictions, only 1x weekly is bookable)
- Vienna to Tokyo Narita: 1x daily from May 1st
Note that further changes may happen, perhaps especially to China, and the date the reconfigured aircraft enter service may be pushed back if works aren't completed as fast as expected.
A day in the life
When looking at what a day looks like, it's best not to look at May 1st as Vienna won't have arrivals by the 330 seaters that day. As such, when looking at randomly chosen May 3rd, it is as follows:
|
Route |
Departs Vienna |
Arrives Vienna |
|---|---|---|
|
Shanghai |
05:35 |
|
|
Newark |
07:50 |
|
|
Chicago |
08:20 |
|
|
Chicago |
10:30 |
|
|
Newark |
10:40 |
|
|
Tokyo |
13:30 |
|
|
Tokyo |
14:20 |
|
|
Bangkok |
16:35 |
|
|
Bangkok |
18:05 |
|
|
Shanghai |
23:20 |
What do you make of the densification? Let us know in the comments.
-
Austrian Airlines
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- OS/AUA
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Vienna International Airport
- Year Founded:
- 1957
- Alliance:
- Star Alliance
- Airline Group:
- Lufthansa Group
- CEO:
- Annette Mann
- Country:
- Austria
- Region:
- Europe
- Loyalty Program:
- Miles & More
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