Country: Austria ·
Hub: Vienna (VIE) ·
Alliance: Star Alliance ·
IATA code: OS
24-hour free cancellation: Yes — full refund within 24 hours of booking on US-issued tickets with departure 7+ days away.
Typical refund timeline: 7–20 business days for credit card refunds.
Austrian Airlines is the flag carrier of Austria and a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group. Austrian operates from Vienna (VIE) to four US cities: JFK, EWR, ORD, and IAD (seasonal). Because Austrian is part of the Lufthansa Group, its fare rules mirror Lufthansa's closely and it uses the same Miles & More loyalty program. Austrian's product is distinctive for its Austrian-themed in-flight service, including specialty coffee and Viennese-style cuisine.
Austrian Airlines fare brands and Lufthansa Group alignment
Austrian's economy is sold in three brands matching the Lufthansa Group structure: Economy Light ($150 change fee, no cancellation refund), Economy Classic ($150 change fee, cancel for credit), and Economy Flex (free changes, full refund). Premium Economy is $100 to change. Business class changes are free of fees with fare difference. Miles & More miles work identically on Austrian, Lufthansa, Swiss, and Brussels Airlines.
Vienna as a Central/Eastern Europe hub
Vienna is the best hub in Western Europe for connections to Central and Eastern Europe, including Budapest, Prague, Warsaw, Kyiv, Belgrade, Bucharest, and Sofia. If you're flying US-Eastern Europe, Austrian via Vienna is often faster than connecting through Frankfurt, Munich, or Amsterdam because the layover times are shorter at Vienna. Schedule changes or cancellations on the US-VIE legs often disrupt onward Eastern Europe segments, requiring careful rebooking.
Multi-airline itineraries: Austrian + Lufthansa Group partners
Austrian itineraries are often combined with Lufthansa, Swiss, or Brussels Airlines on a single ticket. The most-restricted fare in the itinerary typically dictates the change rules. Look at the ticket prefix to know which airline owns the ticket: 257 = Austrian, 220 = Lufthansa, 724 = Swiss, 082 = Brussels. The owning airline handles all changes regardless of which carriers operate the segments.
EU261 protection and Austrian consumer law
Austrian flights are protected by EU Regulation 261/2004. If Austrian cancels your flight or causes a 3+ hour arrival delay, you may claim €250–€600 in compensation per passenger. Austrian's online claim portal is faster than Lufthansa's but still benefits from agent escalation for complex cases.
Austrian Airlines change & cancellation fees in detail (2026)
| Fare class | Change fee | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $150 | $250 |
| Premium Economy | $100 | $175 |
| Business | $0 | $100 |
| First / Suites | $0 | $100 |
Indicative fees per passenger per direction. Fare difference may apply. Refundable fare types have different rules — call to verify your specific ticket.
Common reasons US travellers call about Austrian Airlines
- Change an Austrian Airlines US-Vienna ticket
- Cancel and recover Miles & More credit
- Rebook after a schedule change on the US-VIE routes
- Handle Lufthansa Group multi-airline tickets
- Process Premium Economy or Business class changes
Austrian Airlines FAQ
Economy Light and Classic: $150 USD per passenger per direction. Premium Economy: $100. Business: free. Fare difference always applies. Light fares cannot be cancelled for cash refund.
Yes — Vienna is the best hub for connections to Central and Eastern Europe. Short layover times and a well-organized airport make it preferable to Frankfurt or Munich for many routings.
Yes — Austrian is part of the Lufthansa Group, so Miles & More miles accrue and redeem identically across Austrian, Lufthansa, Swiss, and Brussels Airlines.
You're entitled to a full refund within 7 days OR a free rebooking. Under EU261, you may claim €250–€600 compensation if the cancellation was within 14 days and within Austrian's control.
No name transfers between passengers. Minor spelling corrections (under 3 characters) are usually free if requested before check-in.