The Austrian airline Austrian Airlines will continue to offer the non-stop connection between Klagenfurt and Hamburg in the upcoming 2025/26 winter flight schedule. From December 20, 2025, to March 14, 2026, travelers can once again connect the two cities non-stop every Saturday.
The resumption of the route for the third consecutive winter season underscores the confidence in demand from Northern Germany and provides a significant boost to tourism in Carinthia. The airline is operating an Embraer 195 on this flight , an aircraft that has already been used on this route in previous years. This seasonal service complements the year-round, daily connection between Klagenfurt and Vienna, thus creating flexible travel options for both leisure and business travelers.
A proven service: The Klagenfurt-Hamburg connection
The nonstop flight from Klagenfurt to the northern German Hanseatic city of Hamburg has proven successful over the past two winters. The airline operates the route with an Embraer 195 , which seats 120 passengers. This aircraft is known for its efficiency and is also used on other regional routes operated by Austrian Airlines. The flight schedule includes a departure from Klagenfurt at 11:10 a.m. and an arrival in Hamburg at 12:50 p.m. The return flight departs Hamburg at 13:35 p.m. and arrives in Klagenfurt at 15:15 p.m. The Saturday midday flight times are ideal for weekend getaways or for the beginning and end of a skiing or holiday trip.
The launch of the connection shortly before Christmas and continuous service until mid-March 2026 cover important travel periods:
- The highly sought-after Christmas holidays and the end of the year, when many holidaymakers travel to the Carinthian Alps.
- The winter Holiday the Hanseatic city of Hamburg, which is traditionally a travel-friendly region.
Maximilian Wildt , the managing director of Klagenfurt Airport, expressed his delight at the continuation of the route: "The direct winter connection to Hamburg, now in its third year, demonstrates the confidence our partner Austrian Airlines has in this market." He emphasized that this connection provides a significant boost to inbound tourism in Carinthia . The collaboration between the airline and the airport has proven to be a strategic success.
The expanded offer and the importance for the region
In addition to the seasonal non-stop service to Hamburg, Austrian Airlines also offers a year-round daily connection between Klagenfurt and Vienna. With a total of 13 weekly flights – often operating during off-peak hours – the airline is creating an important connection to its central hub in Vienna.
- For travelers from Carinthia, the Vienna connection provides access to a global route network. From Vienna Airport, more than 80 destinations in Europe and worldwide can be reached with short transfer times.
- For passengers traveling to Carinthia, the Vienna connection offers additional flexibility, allowing for shorter stays or spontaneous city trips.
Regional connections are of great importance for Klagenfurt Airport. In recent years, the airport's management has focused on strengthening connections to the German market. In this context, the flight connection to Hamburg is considered a "clear and positive signal for the airport's relaunch," as stated in a press release announcing the initial launch of the route in the 2023/24 winter season. The Carinthian state government also supports efforts to strengthen the airport and create attractive connections to promote both tourism and the local economy.
The competition and the future of Klagenfurt Airport
Although the Klagenfurt-Hamburg connection is seasonal, it competes with other travel options, such as traveling by car or train. However, the flight connection offers the advantage of speed and comfort, which can be a deciding factor for winter tourists who often travel with extensive ski equipment.
Klagenfurt Airport has had a turbulent history in recent years. After turbulent times, a new management team, led by Maximilian Wildt, has brought stability and professionalism back to operations. The success of the Hamburg route, now operating for the third consecutive year, is a testament to the airport's strategic reorientation, aimed at strengthening partnerships with airlines and developing new source markets for tourism. Austrian Airlines' investment in this route demonstrates the airline's view of the market as promising. This not only secures jobs at the airport and in the region, but also contributes to further establishing Carinthia as an attractive winter destination for holidaymakers from northern Germany. The continuation of non-stop flights is a positive signal for the long-term development of Klagenfurt Airport and the entire Carinthian tourism region.