Taiwanese airline Eva Air has expanded its services at Vienna Airport by introducing automated check-in and baggage drop-off systems. Passengers can now check in independently both directly at Vienna Airport and at the City Airport Train (CAT) terminal at Wien Mitte station.
At the airport, the system is available from four hours until 65 minutes before departure. Passengers print their boarding passes and baggage tags at self-service kiosks and then drop off their luggage at dedicated baggage drop machines. This measure aims to reduce waiting times at check-in counters and make the check-in process for daily flights to Asia more efficient.
A key feature of the expansion is the integration of the City Airport Train (CAT) terminal in the city center. Holders of a valid ticket for the airport express train can check in their luggage at Wien Mitte station from ten hours up to two hours before departure. This service allows travelers to spend the rest of the day exploring the city without heavy luggage before taking the 16-minute train ride to the airport. Under strict security measures, the suitcases are transported directly to the airport and automatically fed into the baggage system of the respective flight. Vienna is thus among a small group of international cities that offer such early check-in in the city center.
The airline currently operates daily flights between Vienna and Taipei using a Boeing 787-9 or 787-10 "Dreamliner." While three of the weekly flights are nonstop to the Taiwanese capital, the remaining four include a stopover in Bangkok. Depending on the configuration, the Dreamliner offers up to three classes of service, including the exclusive Royal Laurel Class. According to industry analysis, EVA Air is strengthening its competitive position on long-haul routes to Southeast Asia through process automation, as time savings on the ground are a key factor for business travelers and discerning leisure travelers.
The modernization is part of Vienna Airport's overall strategy to significantly increase the use of self-service technologies. By integrating EVA Air into the existing bag drop system, the airline is following the example of major European network carriers. The technical infrastructure at Vienna Central Station and throughout the airport is designed to ensure smooth passenger flow, even when wide-body aircraft are fully booked. Since EVA Air's Boeing 787 regularly carries over 300 passengers, the decentralized baggage drop-off significantly reduces the pressure on the central check-in hall at the airport.