Compare Lufthansa vs Austrian Airlines
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The German and Austrian Airline naturally have an ongoing rivalry, particularly in the shorter distance flight market.
Austrian Airlines, the flagship aircraft carrier of Austria, is a part of Lufthansa Group which also operates Lufthansa Airlines, and hence is also a member of Star Allianz. However, as compared to Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines features a smaller fleet and has had to face several intimidating financial problems.
Based in Vienna ever since it was founded 30th September, 1957, it operates a fleet of 80 aircraft that fly travellers to as many as 130 destinations around the world, with its main areas of focus being Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asian countries. While this airline was taken over by Lufthansa in 2008, its financial woes continued unabated till it was taken over by Tyrolean Airways in 2012. Between 2012 and 2015, all flights of Austrian Airlines were being operated by Tyrolean Airways and it was only on 1st April, 2015 that Austrian Airlines once again regained control.
All planes flying under this brand feature the red-white-red pattern of the Austrian Flag and majority of the planes are Airbus, Boeing and Fokker varieties. Each of the planes is divided into Business and Economy Class wherein meals for Business Class travellers are prepared by an on-board chef.
In comparison, Lufthansa is the largest airline in the world and a flagship German carrier. It manages a fleet of more than 280 planes which operate from its main hub of Frankfurt and secondary hub of Munich. Lufthansa’s domestic sector has its base at Dusseldorf and comes under the purview of Germanwings.
Travellers opting for Lufthansa have the choice of travelling in First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy Classes respectively wherein the First Class is equipped with state-de-art entertainment facilities. Business Class has its share of luxuries too in form of laptop power outlets and comfortable seats that can recline at an angle of 150 degrees. The difference between Premium Economy and Economy Class is the width of seats, size of armrests and provision of entertainment screens.
While Lufthansa had started out with Lockheed, Fokker and Douglas varieties, gradually they moved on to Boeing and Airbus makes and since then have been operating various models of these two types. Since Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa both operate under the same banner, the frequent-flyer program named ‘Miles & More’ applies to travellers of both. Miles are calculated on the basis of distance travelled over a period of one year and exclusive benefits like lounge access and provision of bonus miles are provided accordingly.
Which airline wins, Lufthansa or Austrian Airlines?
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