Austrian Airlines launches first-ever Boeing 787 Dreamliner with service to New York

It’s a new era at Austrian Airlines . The flag carrier of Austria took off Monday with its first-ever flight aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to its inaugural destination: New York City.
The Vienna-based carrier recently took delivery of its first 787-9, and it inaugurated the new jet Monday with nonstop service to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The return flight to Vienna departs Monday evening.
It’s the first in a series of Dreamliner deliveries Austrian expects this summer and beyond; each will feature a spiffy and all-new business class cabin with lie-flat seats.
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Eventually, these 787s will replace the Boeing 767 and 777 jets making up the carrier’s current wide-body fleet.
Ahead of the late-afternoon departure from Vienna, airline leaders cut the ribbon at a gateside ceremony in the Austrian capital.
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The aircraft’s inaugural service departed to JFK just after 5 p.m. local time.
In keeping with its planned itinerary going forward, the jet is expected at JFK just after 8 p.m. local time. It will then depart JFK bound for Vienna at 9:45 p.m., with a next-day arrival just before noon local time.
Cabin interior
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Austrian’s new Dreamliners are arranged in a three-cabin configuration.
Up front, travelers will find 26 business-class pods. Each appears to have direct aisle access, entertainment screens and ample storage.
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The carrier shared photos showing the tan-colored pods with black seat coverings and bright red headrests — fitting the airline’s signature color scheme.
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Though the aesthetics are different, the pods appear to be a very similar product to what you’ll find in business class on American Airlines’ Dreamliners. (I had the chance to fly in those seats just last week.)
A business-class pod on an American Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Austrian’s Dreamliners also offer 21 seats in premium economy, with 247 seats in the main cabin — each with an inflight entertainment screen.
Overhauling its wide-body fleet
This is far from the only 787-9 the carrier will add to its fleet.
The carrier expects to have a total of two Dreamliners in service by sometime this summer, according to a spokesperson for Lufthansa Group, the airline’s parent company
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The airline expects a total of nine 787 deliveries by 2028, which will help it phase out its existing long-haul fleet of Boeing 767 and 777 jets.
“This year marks a significant turning point for Austrian Airlines,” the carrier said in a statement. “Fleet modernization and growth with the Boeing 787-9 has begun.
Booking with points and miles
Hoping to book a flight on the Austrian’s new 787-9 with points or miles? There are a few ways.
Austrian is a member of the Star Alliance, making it an alliance partner with North American carriers United Airlines and Air Canada — and a potential option for booking partner awards.
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