In September 2017, I took an around the world tour using Aeroplan, flew in business class for all the legs, except for KIX-HND.
Used 150,000 points for redemption, using the 1 stopover - 1 destination - 1 stopover and unlimited layovers rules, and booked it via phone. Total taxes were around $700 in addition to the points spent.
Itinerary was: YYZ-MUC-CGN-VIE-HKG-KIX-HND-YYZ using Air Canada, Lufthansa, Austrian, All Nippon Airways, Starflyer, and Air Canada again on the way back from Haneda.
I'll be posting several other trip reports in the next few days/weeks with various different segments.
Equivalent trip report (with additional takeoff/taxi and/or landing) video is also part of the video trip report.
Link to video report:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOij9T0IiAM
Hope you enjoy!
Flight Details
AUSTRIAN AIRLINES - OS196/OS67
COLOGNE TO VIENNA/VIENNA TO HONG KONG
September 10+11, 2017
OS196 - 9/10/2017 - 20:00 to 21:30
OS67 - 9/11/2017 - 17:45 to 11:10
OS 196 SEAT: 02F (E95)
OS 67 SEAT: 09K (B777-200)
Leg 1 – CGN-VIE
September 10, 2017
OS196 - 9/10/2017 - 20:00 to 21:30
OS 196 SEAT: 02F (E95)
Checked in. Security- left side for business/first class passengers.
Some aircraft airside – A380 Emirates
Got both my boarding passes for 2 Austrian flights in Cologne.
Lufthansa logo on the boarding pass.
Visiting the first lounge which Lufthansa Senator lounge, having some soup.
Also trying a variety of foods. Small hot selection (sauage). Other foods not available.
Good selection of beverages, open bar, fruits and soft drinks available.
Nice cubicle with walls with chargers for some time to relax.
Shot of the E195 that I would be taking for this short flight to Vienna.
Evening sky – taxiing to the runway
On Lufthansa and many European carriers, business class is regular economy seats with the seat empty. I
Nice dinner setup for this short-haul flight. Was delicious – and signature Austrian Airlines triangular dishes.
Asked for a cup of decaf coffee – instead got a pot since I’m the only one that asked for it.
Arrival in Vienna. Had to take the shuttle bus to the terminal though.
A quick 30 mins or so later, checked into my hotel Moxy Vienna Airport which is a 15 minute walk from the terminal. I had a stopover here overnight prior to my next flight to Hong Kong the next day.
Decided to take advantage of my evening flight and explore Vienna during the day. Walked back to the airport to take the train to Wien HBF
A shot in from of Wien HBF. Visited the cathedral and walked for several hours getting lost. Finally headed back to the airport to check in for my flight.
The Moxy Vienna where I stayed.
Leg 2 – VIE to HKG
September 11, 2017
OS67 - 9/11/2017 - 17:45 to 11:10
OS 67 SEAT: 09K (B777-200)
A number of lounges were available to me, this one was the SKY Lounge which I’d visit after the Austrian Lounge.
Having a bitter melon soda and an expresso in the Austrian business class lounge. Also a separate lounge entrance for first class passengers.
Selection wasn’t great, had some pastries and some fruit, but that’s about all.
Decided to hop over to the SKY Lounge where they had some Sweet Berries tea which I had found to really like in Europe, and had a couple other snacks. Didn’t want to eat too much knowing I’d be stuffed on my long haul flight. First time flying Austrian airlines – and lucky to be in business.
Booked their ‘king’ seats which is super super wide, They are 1-2-1 and 2-1-2 alternating rows. I had the window seat. As you can see the row in front had 2 seats.
Blanket nicely wrapped. So much space, but downside is that window is a bit further for the view.
Shot of the cabin.
Menu1
You order breakfast prior to the flight departing, so you can get as much sleep as you wanted. Total flight was around 12 hours gate to gate, and was able to get quite a bit of sleep.
Dinner service starting, with some assorted nuts.
Great IFE, large screen.
Appetizer, smoked salmon, vegetables and salmon tartar.
Soup up next.
Main course – Viennese goulash
They had a menu with 10 different variety of coffees, picked one but cant remember. Super full after all the food.
And in case you weren’t full – galley had more food.
After a nice long rest – got a breakfast which was ordered prior to takeoff.
Had to have a cup of coffee of course. Bacon and eggs.
After meal service – it was about an hour and a half prior to landing in Hong Kong.
Overall
Austrian airlines has excellent food – and especially with their coffee selection.
Service was great and attentive, and had no complaints.
Feedback is welcome!
Other
Have written a few other TRs in the past few years but my old host is no longer working.
Already created some videos so if you want to watch them now, you can!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hof_2XRN9hw Air Canada: Toronto to Munich [Business]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxPI9RMRSlc Lufthansa: Munich to Cologne [Business]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX-2XFYztp0 Starflyer: Osaka to Tokyo [Economy]
Must be the boarding pass that messed me up.