Airline profile · Europe

Austrian Airlines

AustriaFull-service carrierStar Alliance memberSince 1957

OSIATA code

AUAICAO code

Austrian Airlines (IATA OS, ICAO AUA) is Austria's largest airline and a Lufthansa Group network carrier based at Vienna International Airport. It carried about 15.0 million passengers in 2025 with 67 aircraft, and Star Alliance lists about 130 airports in 58 countries. It has been a Star Alliance member since March 2000.

Founded: 1957
First flight: 1958
Headquarters: Vienna Airport, Schwechat, Austria
Country: Austria
Main hubs: Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Airline type: Full-service carrier
Alliance: Star Alliance
Loyalty: Miles & More
Parent: Lufthansa Group (Deutsche Lufthansa AG)
Ownership: A network airline of the Lufthansa Group, which acquired Austrian Airlines in 2009.
Callsign: AUSTRIAN
Website: austrian.com

How travel agents book Austrian Airlines

GDS distribution

Austrian Airlines content is available through the GDSs, but tickets issued through EDIFACT GDS connections carry the Lufthansa Group Distribution Cost Charge (DCC). From 1 January 2026 it was EUR 17.50 to 18.00 via Amadeus, EUR 22.00 to 22.50 via Sabre and EUR 23 via Travelport, and the Amadeus rate rose to EUR 19 (USD 22) from 5 May 2026.

NDC

Austrian sells NDC content through the Lufthansa Group NDC programme. Travelport launched retail-ready NDC content from Lufthansa Group airlines including Austrian on Travelport+ in December 2023.

Direct channels

Direct channels include austrian.com and the Austrian app, and agencies can use Lufthansa Group NDC connections and agent channels.

Notes for travel agents

The DCC applies to Austrian, Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines and Air Dolomiti tickets issued over EDIFACT; infant tickets are exempt. NDC and direct channels avoid the charge or carry a lower one, so compare channels before ticketing.

On ReservationHub

ReservationHub gives agencies GDS content from Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport plus NDC and low-cost channels in one platform. See the full list on our integrations page.

History of Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines was formed on 30 September 1957 through the merger of two young companies, Air Austria and Austrian Airways, set up after the Austrian State Treaty restored the country's independence. Its first flights ran from Vienna to London. The airline traces its story back to ÖLAG, Austria's pre-war airline, whose first flight in 1923 linked Vienna and Munich.

Austrian joined Star Alliance in March 2000, together with its group airlines Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways. Lauda Air was merged into Austrian in 2013 and Tyrolean in 2015, according to Star Alliance.

In 2009 Austrian became part of the Lufthansa Group, which now counts it among its network airlines alongside Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines and ITA Airways. Since 2023 it has been renewing its long-haul fleet with Boeing 787-9s to replace older 767s and 777s, and it is also taking A320neos for European routes.

Milestones

1923First flight of predecessor ÖLAG, Vienna to Munich, on 14 May.
1957Austrian Airlines formed on 30 September by merging Air Austria and Austrian Airways.
2000Joined Star Alliance in March with Lauda Air and Tyrolean.
2009Became part of the Lufthansa Group.
2015Tyrolean Airways merged into Austrian.
2023Announced long-haul renewal with Boeing 787-9s.

Fleet

Airbus A320 Airbus A320neo Airbus A321 Boeing 767 Boeing 777 Boeing 787-9 Embraer E195

Aircraft types in service as of 2025

At 31 December 2025 Austrian had 67 aircraft: 29 A320s, five A320neos, six A321s, three Boeing 767s, six 777s, two 787s and 16 Embraer jets. In April 2023 it announced Boeing 787-9s, some transferred from Lufthansa and some from group orders, to replace its 767s and 777s by 2028. New aircraft are allocated centrally within the Lufthansa Group shortly before delivery.

Network and hubs

Vienna is the Austrian Airlines hub, with a strong network to Central and Eastern Europe and long-haul routes to North America, Asia and Africa. Star Alliance lists about 130 airports in 58 countries for Austrian.

In 2025 Austrian carried around 15.0 million passengers, up 3%, on 124,038 flights, with a load factor of 81.6%. The Middle East conflict reduced its earnings that year. Vienna connects into the other Lufthansa Group hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Brussels and Rome.

Austrian Airlines: frequently asked questions

What are Austrian Airlines codes?

Austrian Airlines uses the IATA code OS and the ICAO code AUA, with the radio callsign AUSTRIAN. IATA lists the company as Austrian Airlines AG dba Austrian, so tickets and GDS displays show the OS code for its flights.

Is Austrian Airlines part of Lufthansa?

Yes. Austrian Airlines became part of the Lufthansa Group in 2009 and is one of its network airlines, with Vienna as its hub. It uses the group's Miles & More loyalty programme and sells through Lufthansa Group distribution channels.

Does Austrian Airlines charge a GDS fee?

Yes. Austrian tickets issued through EDIFACT GDS channels carry the Lufthansa Group Distribution Cost Charge. From 1 January 2026 it was up to EUR 18 via Amadeus, up to EUR 22.50 via Sabre and EUR 23 via Travelport, and the Amadeus rate rose to EUR 19 on 5 May 2026.

When did Austrian Airlines join Star Alliance?

Austrian Airlines joined Star Alliance in March 2000, together with Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways from the Austrian Airlines Group. Both of those airlines were later merged into Austrian, which remains the alliance member for Austria.

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Sources

Profile updated 4 November 2026 by the ReservationHub team. Airline details change: confirm schedules, fares and policies with the airline before booking. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.