If you’ve ever wondered whether Austrian A320 Business Class is worth the upgrade on a short European hop, here’s your answer wrapped in a tray of Do & Co catering and delivered with Viennese efficiency. This was my ride home from a work trip via Vienna – a cheaper option than flying direct in economy, and far more civilised. From a near-empty cabin to a surprisingly decent lounge tucked away at the G gates, it turned out to be one of those short-haul flights that actually feels… well, pleasant. Read on for all the details, including why I think row 2 is the one to book.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: OS457
From/To: Vienna (VIE) to London Heathrow (LHR)
Departure time: 20:20
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Frequent Flyer Points: 2,000
Status Points: 2,000 (when credited to Aegean Miles+Bonus)
Aircraft: OE-LZR
Aircraft type: Airbus A320neo
Number of classes: 2
Number of seats in flying class: 24 in business
Seat: 2A
Position: Left-hand side of the aircraft, 2 rows from the front
Airport Experience
Vienna Airport was in decent shape when I arrived – quiet, efficient, and no chaos at passport control. I was transiting from the Schengen zone, so a quick flash of the passport got me into the non-Schengen G gates area within minutes.
Austrian Airlines has a couple of lounges tucked away in this part of the airport, and I gave the new one near Gates G14–G15 a go. For what’s essentially a satellite lounge, it was surprisingly decent. Clean, quiet, and stocked with good food and drink options – not much more you can ask for pre-flight on a short hop, but you might want to use the central lounges ahead of a long-haul sector.
Boarding & Welcome
Boarding was already in full swing when I turned up at Gate G17, with all groups being called. No drama, no delays. I joined the back of the queue and was processed in a couple of minutes. Once descending the escalator and then staircase, it became clear that we were boarding the aircraft via a bus. The bus departed quickly, but the aircraft was parked a fair distance from the gate. Boarding was permitted from both front and rear stairs.
Boarding was completed relatively quickly, given they were busing passengers to the plane. What stood out was the captain strolling through the cabin and giving his welcome over the tannoy in person. It’s a small thing, but it does break up the usual robotic flow of announcements and makes it feel just a bit more human.
Seat
The Austrian A320 Business Class cabin had six rows, totalling 24 seats. Only five were in use up front for this flight, so I had the row to myself. As with most intra-European business class setups, it was economy seating with the middle seat kept free. However, this A320neo felt more generous in the legroom department than older aircraft in the fleet. Another highlight were the extra tall overhead luggage bins, enabling case to be stored on their side. Signage also indicated these bins were for business class passengers only – I wish more carriers would do this.
I had seat 2A, which reclined slightly – a feature you don’t always get on these types of routes – and the overhead bins were enormous. No awkward case wrestling needed, everything slid in sideways with room to spare. USB charging at the seat was a bonus.
What’s the best seat on Austrian A320 Business Class?
I usually avoid row 1 unless I’m after a bulkhead nap – legroom can be hit or miss, and there’s nowhere to stash a small bag during take-off and landing. Row 2 strikes the right balance. On this A320neo, the extra legroom made a noticeable difference, and the movable armrests meant you could make a bit more space for yourself or slide out gracefully without dislodging your neighbour’s gin and tonic.
See the seating plan on SeatGuru.
Onboard Experience
Only five passengers in business meant the flight felt almost private. The single toilet at the front of the cabin was reserved for business class, which helped keep things civilised.
Cabin crew were friendly, switched on, and didn’t rush the service despite the short flight time. It was all very Austrian: calm, precise, and quietly efficient.
Food & Drink
A small bottle of water and a sanitising wipe were offered before departure – nothing flashy, but appreciated nonetheless.
Once airborne, drinks were served from a trolley, with a full bar selection on offer. Austrian’s meal service is always the highlight, thanks to their Do & Co catering. Despite the short flight, a full tray was presented with a hot main course, side salad, and dessert – all restaurant quality and plated nicely. No plastic cutlery in sight.
The main dish was grilled chicken served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The dessert was a baked cheesecake with blueberries, blueberry coulis, and the trademark Do&Co. chocolate wafer.
In-flight Entertainment
There was no Wi-Fi on this A320neo, and no seatback screens either. You’ll need your own entertainment – or you could just sit back and enjoy a rare moment of digital isolation.
BG1 Verdict
Another solid showing from Austrian A320 Business Class – polished service, and a surprisingly good meal for a sub-90-minute flight. WiFi was noticeably absent on such a new aircraft and I found it strange that we boarded using a bus gate, when so many jet bridge stands appeared to be vacant.
It proves that European short-haul doesn’t have to mean sub-par.
BG1 Tip
If you’re connecting through Vienna, Austrian is one of the few airlines that actually makes short layovers feel doable. Row 2 on the A320neo is your sweet spot. And don’t skip the G-pier lounge – it’s better than it looks from the outside.
Don’t forget to sign-up to our newsletter to get our latest updates delivered straight to your inbox. Why not also follow us on TikTok!
Leave a Reply