Founded on September 30, 1957, and commencing operations on March 31, 1958, the Austrian airline company proudly serves as the flag carrier of Austria and operates under the umbrella of the Lufthansa group. Its headquarters are strategically located on the premises of Vienna International Airport in Schwechat. In 2016, this airline extended its reach to approximately six domestic destinations and over 120 year-round international destinations, along with seasonal services to 55 countries. It stands as a proud member of the Star Alliance network.

The airline's origins can be traced to a merger between Austrian and Air Austria Airways, with its roots dating back to 1923 when Austrian Airways was first established. Initially, it was a state-owned entity that commenced its scheduled services on March 31, 1958. Their inaugural flight involved a leased Vickers Viscount from Vienna to London and Zurich. Subsequently, the airline acquired its fleet of Viscount aircraft. On February 18, 1963, Austria placed an order for its first jet-powered airliner, the Sud Aviation Caravelle. By the end of 1971, the airline had introduced various models and derivatives of the Douglas DC-9 jetliner.

The 1980s witnessed the introduction of the DC-9-80, alongside aircraft produced by Boeing, Fokker, Airbus, and other manufacturers throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

During the 1990s, Austrian Airlines actively pursued new strategic alliances and expanded its presence in the long-haul market. They launched services in China and South Africa and officially became a member of the Star Alliance in 2000. Despite several years of losses during the 2000s, the Austrian government, then-owner of the airline, was advised to privatize it by selling to a foreign company in 2008.

Subsequently, in 2009, the Lufthansa group acquired Austrian Airlines after receiving approval from the European Commission, following an investigation into the tendering process. This marked the beginning of significant business restructuring, along with privatization, cost-saving measures, and fleet expansion. The transformation included noticeable changes, such as route adjustments, a refreshed aircraft livery, and a new corporate design. To further streamline operations, on July 1, 2012, all Austrian Airlines flights were transferred to the subsidiary Tyrolean Airways, operating under the Austrian name. However, a new labor agreement implemented on April 1, 2015, led to the transfer of all flights back to Austrian, and Tyrolean Airways was subsequently merged into its parent company.

History

The airline's initial fleet comprised Junkers F13s, and its maiden flight on May 14, 1923, connected Vienna and Munich, with Hans Baur as the pilot. Operating under the banner of Junkers Trans European Union, the airline rapidly expanded its flight destinations to include Munich, Graz, Budapest, Nuremberg, Klagenfurt, and St. Wolfgang.

With government support, the company acquired new aircraft in 1927. During the same year, it entered into an operational partnership with Deutsche LuftHansa, jointly planning and operating route connections to Berlin, Milan, Vienna, and Budapest. LuftHansaJunkers held a 49% interest in the company, propelling it to become one of Europe's top four airlines in the 1930s.

In 1938, the company ambitiously planned routes to Rome, Paris, and London using a fleet of Junkers Ju 90 aircraft. However, these plans were abruptly halted following Austria's annexation by Nazi Germany in March 1938.

Jet Era

Austrian Airlines faced early competition from Adria Airways during its initial decade of operation. Passengers from the Austrian provinces of Styria and Carinthia regularly commuted to Yugoslavia. The airline marked a significant milestone on February 18, 1963, when it ordered its first jet airliner, configured with 80 seats. Breaking new ground, the airline inaugurated its first long-distance routes to New York City and the United States in 1969.