Best Airlines Flying to Austria (2026)
Jules de Bruin
Expat in Vienna
Updated: May 19 2026 | Found helpful by 5 others
Updated May 19 2026. Austrian Airlines is the national flag carrier and the best overall choice for flying into Austria, with Vienna International Airport (VIE) as its main hub. Parent Lufthansa Group provides the widest global connectivity through Munich and Frankfurt, and Eurowings is the group's low-cost arm with a strong Vienna network. IAG brings British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling into Austrian routes, with Iberia connecting Vienna to Madrid and Latin America. TUI Group dominates leisure and charter traffic, while Ryanair remains the cheapest option from over 40 European cities into Vienna and Klagenfurt.
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Top 7 Best Airlines Flying to Austria
Based on route network, fare competitiveness, on-time performance, and service quality on Austrian routes, here are the top 7 airlines flying to Austria in 2026.
1. Austrian Airlines
Austria's national flag carrier and the main hub airline at Vienna International Airport. Part of the Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance. Austrian operates the largest network from Vienna with over 130 destinations, combining short-haul European routes with long-haul flights to North America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Why we recommend it: Largest network from Vienna with 130+ destinations, lie-flat long-haul business class, and full Star Alliance Miles and More earning.
Best for: Flying to Vienna as your primary destination with the widest route network and Star Alliance earning opportunities
Pros
- +Largest route network from Vienna with 130+ destinations
- +Star Alliance member with Miles and More earning and redeeming
- +Lie-flat business class on long-haul Boeing 777 and 767 aircraft
- +Strong on-time performance and reliable connections at VIE
Cons
- −Premium Economy only available on select long-haul routes
- −Base Economy fares are restrictive with no seat selection or changes
- −Short-haul food and drink is paid on discount fare classes
2. Lufthansa Group
Germany's flag carrier group and parent company of Austrian Airlines. Lufthansa Group combines Lufthansa, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and Austrian, with multiple daily flights to Vienna from hubs in Munich and Frankfurt. It provides the widest worldwide connectivity of any group serving Austria.
Why we recommend it: Widest global connectivity to Austria via Frankfurt and Munich hubs, owns Austrian Airlines, with new Allegris business class rolling out.
Best for: Passengers connecting to Austria from long-haul destinations via Munich or Frankfurt hubs
Pros
- +Best global connectivity via Frankfurt and Munich hubs
- +Owns Austrian Airlines, providing seamless group-wide benefits
- +New Allegris business class rolling out across long-haul fleet
- +Star Alliance earning with Miles and More loyalty program
Cons
- −Requires a connection through Germany, adding travel time
- −Frankfurt hub is notorious for delays and long transfer walks
- −Base Economy Light fares have no checked baggage included
3. Eurowings
The low-cost subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group with a strong Vienna network. Eurowings serves Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz from multiple German airports and European leisure destinations. It offers a middle ground between full-service and ultra low-cost, with a better baggage policy than Ryanair while keeping fares competitive.
Why we recommend it: Best middle ground between full-service and ultra low-cost with strong Vienna network, Salzburg, Innsbruck routes, and Miles and More earning.
Best for: Travelers wanting budget fares without ultra low-cost restrictions, especially from German and leisure destinations
Pros
- +Strong Vienna network as Lufthansa Group's low-cost arm
- +Better baggage policy than Ryanair or Wizz Air
- +Miles and More earning on most fare classes
- +Strong network to Salzburg and Innsbruck for ski season
Cons
- −Basic fare has no seat selection or checked bag included
- −Fewer long-haul connections than parent Lufthansa
- −Customer service response times lag behind Austrian Airlines
4. IAG (International Airlines Group)
IAG is the holding company behind British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling, all of which operate routes into Austria. Between its member carriers, IAG connects Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck to London Heathrow, Madrid, Dublin, and Barcelona for both business and leisure travelers.
Why we recommend it: Multiple Oneworld carriers connecting Austria to London, Madrid, Dublin, and Barcelona with full Avios earning across the alliance.
Best for: Passengers connecting to Austria via London, Madrid, Dublin, or Barcelona with Oneworld earning and redemption
Pros
- +Owns British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling
- +Multiple daily connections to Vienna from London Heathrow
- +Oneworld alliance earning across all IAG carriers
- +Access to long-haul network via Heathrow and Madrid
Cons
- −No single IAG-branded operation at Austrian airports
- −Connecting via London Heathrow can be slow at peak times
- −Fare rules vary across British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling
5. Iberia
Spain's flag carrier and an IAG subsidiary. Iberia operates direct flights between Madrid and Vienna and connects Austria to Latin America via its Madrid hub. Oneworld alliance member with full earning and redemption on British Airways, Qatar Airways, and American Airlines.
Why we recommend it: Best Austria-to-Spain and Austria-to-Latin America connections via Madrid hub with daily Vienna frequencies and Oneworld earning.
Best for: Travelers connecting between Austria and Spain or Latin America via Madrid
Pros
- +Direct Vienna to Madrid service, daily frequencies
- +Best Austria to Latin America connections via Madrid hub
- +Oneworld alliance earning and lounge access
- +Modern Airbus A330 long-haul fleet
Cons
- −Limited non-Madrid direct service to Austria
- −Short-haul product is basic with paid food and drink
- −Iberia Plus loyalty program separate from British Airways Avios
6. TUI Group
Europe's largest leisure travel group, operating TUI Airways, TUI fly, and other carriers. TUI runs charter and scheduled leisure flights into Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck from major German, UK, and Dutch markets, and dominates ski and summer leisure traffic into Austria.
Why we recommend it: Europe's largest leisure travel group with strongest Salzburg and Innsbruck charter network during ski season and bundled holiday packages.
Best for: Leisure travelers, skiers, and package holidaymakers flying into Salzburg or Innsbruck from UK, Germany, and the Netherlands
Pros
- +Europe's largest leisure travel group
- +Strong Salzburg and Innsbruck charter network in ski season
- +Package holidays bundling flight, transfer, and hotel
- +Reliable operations on seasonal leisure routes
Cons
- −Charter schedules are highly seasonal
- −Limited business or frequent-flyer benefits
- −Fewer year-round routes than scheduled carriers
7. Ryanair
Europe's largest low-cost airline by passenger volume. Ryanair operates extensive routes to Vienna International Airport and seasonal services to Klagenfurt, connecting Austria with more than 40 European cities at the lowest fares. Strict baggage and fare rules mean the base ticket is very cheap but add-ons quickly increase the total cost.
Why we recommend it: Lowest base fares to Vienna and Klagenfurt with 40+ direct European routes, ideal for budget travelers willing to comply with strict bag rules.
Best for: Budget travelers willing to travel light and comply with strict Ryanair fare rules in exchange for the cheapest fares
Pros
- +Low-cost leader with lowest base fares to Vienna and Klagenfurt
- +Extensive European network with 40+ direct routes
- +Reliable on-time performance by low-cost standards
- +Seasonal Klagenfurt services open up Carinthia access
Cons
- −Strict cabin bag policy: 40x20x25cm underseat only on basic fare
- −All extras priced separately (seat, bag, printed boarding pass)
- −Customer service is limited compared to full-service carriers
Which Airlines Fly to Vienna Airport?
Vienna International Airport (VIE) is served by more than 70 airlines connecting to 200+ destinations worldwide. Here are the largest carrier groups:
- Lufthansa Group: Austrian Airlines (hub carrier), Lufthansa, Eurowings, Swiss, Brussels Airlines. Together they operate roughly 50 percent of VIE traffic.
- Low-cost carriers: Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, and Vueling serve Vienna on intra-European routes at budget fares.
- Long-haul connectors: Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad provide one-stop access to Asia, Africa, and Australasia.
- Transatlantic: Austrian Airlines, United, and Air Canada operate seasonal and year-round flights to New York, Chicago, Washington DC, and Toronto.
Schengen vs. non-Schengen terminals at VIE
What Is the Cheapest Airline to Austria?
Ryanair and Wizz Air consistently offer the lowest base fares to Austria, with one-way tickets starting around EUR 19 on select routes. However, total cost depends heavily on baggage and seat selection. Here is how the low-cost carriers compare:
- Ryanair: Cheapest base fares from the UK, Ireland, Italy, and Spain. Strict cabin bag policy (40x20x25cm underseat only on basic fare).
- Wizz Air: Strongest network from Central and Eastern Europe (Romania, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria). Hungarian carrier with a hub at VIE.
- easyJet: Better cabin bag allowance than Ryanair (one small and one large bag free). Strong on UK and French routes.
- Eurowings: Often priced like a low-cost airline but part of Lufthansa Group, meaning easier rebooking and a better baggage default.
Which Airlines Have the Best Business Class to Austria?
For long-haul business class into Austria, the best options combine direct lie-flat seats with quality lounges at Vienna Airport:
- Austrian Airlines Business Class: Lie-flat seats on Boeing 777 and 767 aircraft from New York, Chicago, Bangkok, and Tokyo. Access to the Austrian Business Lounge at VIE.
- Turkish Airlines Business Class: Multiple award winner. Excellent catering and the Istanbul lounge is among the best in the world for transit passengers.
- Qatar Airways Qsuite: Often ranked number one globally. Connects VIE via Doha to Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
- Lufthansa Business Class: Connecting via Munich or Frankfurt. New Allegris product rolling out on long-haul fleet through 2026.
Entity References
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to fly to Vienna?
The cheapest fares to Vienna (VIE) are typically offered by Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet from secondary European airports. Book 6 to 10 weeks in advance and travel midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday) for the lowest fares. As of April 2026, one-way tickets from London, Berlin, or Rome start around EUR 29 with hand luggage only. Eurowings often matches these prices from German hubs while offering a more flexible baggage policy.
Do airlines to Austria include bags?
It depends on the fare class. Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines include at least one cabin bag plus a checked bag on most Economy Classic fares to Austria. Low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet only include a small underseat bag on the basic fare, with cabin bags and checked bags priced separately (typically EUR 20 to 60 per bag). Always read the fare terms before booking.
Which airlines fly direct to Salzburg?
Salzburg Airport (SZG) receives direct flights from Austrian Airlines (connecting via Vienna), Eurowings (Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne), easyJet (London Gatwick, Manchester, Amsterdam), Ryanair (London Stansted, seasonal), and British Airways (London Heathrow). Most Salzburg routes peak in winter during ski season (December through March) and in summer (June through August) for the Salzburg Festival. See our airports guide for more on Salzburg Airport.
Is Austrian Airlines part of Star Alliance?
Yes. Austrian Airlines has been a Star Alliance member since 2000. Star Alliance membership means you can earn and redeem Miles and More points on Lufthansa, Swiss, United, Singapore Airlines, and 20+ other carriers. Frequent flyers with HON Circle or Senator status receive lounge access at Vienna Airport and priority boarding across the alliance.
How early should you arrive at Vienna Airport?
Vienna International Airport (VIE) recommends arriving 2 hours before short-haul Schengen flights and 3 hours before long-haul or non-Schengen flights. Security lines are typically short compared to other European hubs, but peak times (6am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm) can add 20 to 30 minutes. For flights to the US and UK, allow extra time for secondary screening.