For the long haul

New AUA Dreamliner finally lands in Vienna

Finally landed in Vienna: AUA's new "Dreamliner"

(Bild: Austrian Airlines/DBS)

It has taken many years, but now the time has come: yesterday, Tuesday, Austrian Airlines' first new long-haul aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 "Dreamliner", landed in Vienna. Another aircraft will follow in mid-June. The first long-haul flight will therefore take place on June 15 to New York.

Years of efforts by AUA management to modernize the long-haul fleet are finally bearing fruit. Even more so, as the two new aircraft will increase the fleet for overseas destinations from nine to eleven aircraft. A further nine Boeing 787-9s are expected to successively replace AUA's existing long-haul jets from the 777 and 767 family by 2028. The 767s have been in service for around 30 years and therefore consume significantly more kerosene, for example.

"Dreamliner" in service on short-haul routes to Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Berlin from May 20
Until the first flight to New York, the 787-9 will be operating short-haul flights to and from Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Berlin from May 20. This will allow the crew to get used to the aircraft, which has a capacity of just under 300 passengers. And with a bit of luck, passengers on these routes will be able to enjoy a special travel experience that is otherwise only reserved for passengers traveling overseas (e.g. USA, Asia).

It is not yet clear when the new aircraft with the registration OE-LPL will receive the red-white-red livery.

(Bild: Austrian Airlines/DBS)

No AUA livery yet
The "Dreamliner", which has come from its parent company Lufthansa, will be painted white for the time being. The livery should have been applied at the exact time of the collective bargaining negotiations for the on-board staff. However, as this would have jeopardized the growth plans, it was decided not to paint the planes with the AUA logo yet. This is now to be done, presumably during one of the next inspections.