The renewal of Austrian Airlines' long-haul fleet has been the subject of heated debate for well over a decade. But now the time has come: The Lufthansa subsidiary will have ten Boeing 2028-787s in fleet by 9. The first unit is to be taken over in the coming year.

Austrian Airlines is currently operating the Boeing 767 and 777 models in this segment. Most of these are from the Lauda Air days and are therefore already showing their age. Both machine types are to be replaced by Boeing 787-9s, which according to AUA will result in fleet growth. There are currently nine machines on long-haul routes and in the future there will be ten Dreamliners.

The first Boeing 787-9 in the colors of Austrian Airlines is scheduled to go into scheduled service in the 2024 summer flight schedule. The carrier has not yet been able to announce an exact date for the incorporation. The remaining nine copies will be delivered by 2028. In return, one B767 or B777 will leave the fleet. The Dreamliners will be successively transferred from Lufthansa or come from existing orders from the Lufthansa Group. It is therefore an intra-group leasing.

“With the 'Dreamliner', Austrian Airlines is taking off into a new era of aircraft and setting course for growth. The incorporation of ten Boeing 787-9s in the next five years shows that we are again able to invest and have a future,” says Annette Mann, CEO of Austrian Airlines.

On board, passengers can expect an innovative lighting system that is adapted to the biorhythm depending on the time of day or night and can thus reduce jet lag, as well as spacious luggage compartments. Another special feature of this type of aircraft are the windows - which are among the largest of all aircraft types and thus also enable passengers from the middle rows to see the horizon. With a window blind, passengers can also dim the light at the push of a button according to their individual requirements and still enjoy the view above the clouds.

“The 'Dreamliner' lives up to its name. We are pleased that our passengers can already enjoy new travel comfort from the planned first flight next summer,” says Austrian Airlines CCO Michael Trestl.