It is a rare occasion to be truly impressed by an airline meal. My flight from Vienna to New York’s JFK on Austrian Airlines flight 87 was, hands down, the best business class dining experience in 2011!
Austrian Airlines is Austria’s largest carrier and offers a global route network of 130 destinations with a strong presence in Central and Eastern Europe. Austrian Airlines serves just three North American destinations (JFK, IAD & YYZ) with trans-Atlantic nonstop service to/from the company’s hub at Vienna International Airport. As a result, Austrian is perhaps not as well known in the USA, as its parent company, Lufthansa with 18 North American gateways.
The Vienna hub is great for connections throughout Europe, but the airport facilities have not kept pace with the increase in passenger volume. Airport security is still done at individual gates for each flight, creating unavoidable lines and tremendous crowding just prior to boarding. Even after a brief pre-departure stay at an overcrowded Austrian Airlines business class lounge, standing in an endless line at the gate was unavoidable.
Once onboard the Austrian Airlines triple seven, the rush and sense of crowding dissipated, as we settled into wide, comfy Business class seats (starting in 2012, all business class long haul aircraft are scheduled for installation of new flat beds and a state of the art entertainment system). The in-flight staff was gracious, professional and very welcoming. The dining experience simply an inspiration!
Austrian Airlines has a unique arrangement for onboard catering. It has an exclusive contract with Austria’s premier catering company, Do & Co that truly raises the bar for premium in flight dining. Along with operating a variety of top quality restaurants and catering concerns in Austria, Do & Co’s jewel in the crown is Demel’s. Established in 1786, this Vienna confectionary epitomizes the ultimate in Austrian pastry and Viennese coffee.
Every Austrian Airlines long haul flight has a dedicated onboard chef. An employee of Do & Co, the specially trained chef is responsible for the entire dining experience from preparation to presentation. Each delectable course is then served with finesse by the Austrian Airlines cabin staff making the dining experience truly memorable.
Our meal started with a selection of cocktails and fine Austrian wines. In fact, over 400 Austrian flight attendants have been trained as onboard Sommeliers at the Austrian Wine Academy. They are knowledgeable in “Austrian Wine Culture” and wine pairing. Recently the airline placed first in the “Best Wines On The Wing” industry competition. My favorite on this flight was the Austrian dessert wine, a Kracher Cuvee Beerenauslese, with its sweet shades of grapefruit and pear.
Meal service began with an impressive antipasti buffet selection from the trolley. It consisted of Caesar Salad with prawns, marinated salmon, air dried beef, grilled vegetables, hummus, lentil salad and fried chicken breast. This was followed by a soup course with a delicious beef consommé. Main course choices included veal escalope, wild mushroom goulash or fillet of salmon with orange risotto followed by a cheese selection from the trolley.
Desserts were inspired by traditional Austrian recipes including deep fried apricots stuffed with marzipan laced with sour cherry ragout and hot vanilla sauce. Just outstanding!
Then to top it all off, the Viennese Coffee menu includes a selection of 10 popular Austrian coffee specialty drinks, one more fantastic then the next. I indulged with the Weiner Eiskaffee; a double espresso served with vanilla ice cream and freshly whipped cream!
The pre-arrival snack consisted of a delicious selection of Viennese sausages with sauerkraut and a delectable pear nougat tart. I topped it off with another Viennese specialty coffee.
As a Star Alliance member you can earn miles on a variety of star members, so on your next flight to Europe, I highly recommend crossing the Atlantic on Austrian airlines…just for the dining alone! For more information visit: www.austrian.com.
