For the first time in decades, a US flagged airline carrier will fly into Vienna. American Airlines will begin direct service from Philadelphia to Vienna in May 2027.
Austrian codeshares with United Airlines, so I’m hopeful this competition will improve costs.
I did the new American Airlines non-stop from Budapest to Philadelphia. They used a 787 Dreamliner. I fly the cheapest seat that includes the ability to select a seat so I can sit towards the front and on the aisle. My multi-city trip (Budapest to Philadelphia / Dulles to Valencia) was about $800.
It was the most comfortable cheap seat I have ever been in and the overhead was actually large enough for luggage. In Philadelphia we arrived early but the gate was broken or some such nonsense and we sat looking at the airport for about an hour. Not happy with Philadelphia. Flight service was … ehhhhhhhhh. Well it sure wasn’t Turkish Air. Food pretty yuck.
For the convenience and price I can live with everything, but what happened in Philadelphia. At one point the pilot said we needed a new gate but the person in charge of that at the airport wasn’t available. What??
Okay, so please don't vilify PHL - gate issues or other nonsense can happen anywhere. Once was remoted at Heathrow for over 40 minutes, before they got the busses over to us, door unopened, AC off. And all the busses had to be loaded full before any could head to the terminal.
As for the Vienna flight, it will be on an Airbus A321XLR, as will the new Porto flight, the Reykjavik flight will be an Airbus A321neo. This is actually pretty exciting for travelers from the Philly/Delaware Valley/Harrisburg area, getting more flights choices that will not require traveling first to the New York or DC airports to cross the Atlantic. And a way into the middle of Europe without having to go Lufthansa through Frankfurt.
Okay, so please don't vilify PHL.
Not my intent, but PHL no jewel. I am just happy they brought back a direct flight. I would have preferred a better airport and one with more connections, DFW maybe. But to get to Central Europe this fast and cheap is a great deal.
Wait, A321's to Vienna? Narrow body? Thats interesting. I havent been on one on a long haul flight in years. But if doing it opens the market, great.
Emily, any nonstop to Canada? I ask because Bpest got one and that's almost as good. Long time in coming for Vienna and Budapest. I miss the non stops on Czech and Malev.
Yes, Air Canada flies direct from Vienna to Montreal and Toronto. I’ve done it.
Thank you, Emily, for this info. I have wanted to visit Vienna for years. This fight will make it much easier.
I have researched the type aircraft planned for this flight. It is a narrow body with just one aisle. My concern re this aircraft is the positioning of the lavatories. One at the front for business class and two or three at the rear for the economy cabin (most of us). I can see difficulty getting to the rear to use the lavatory when needed. There are often times when it is impossible to navigate around flight attendant's trolleys but with a two aisle configuration it's easier. I always prefer the bulkhead seat in main cabin plus. It's going to be a long trip back to the lavs.
All that being said, I am more likely to fly to Vienna because I can take this flight. I like to stay well hydrated and am at an age when I use the lav more frequently than in the past. I'll need to take this into consideration when I do take that long awaited trip to Vienna.
Thanks again for this good news! I appreciate your contributions to this forum.
Traveler Girl
travelergirl, take the widebody to Budapest, then the train to Vienna.
Mr. E, I've thought about exactly that!
Mr E., Lufthansa goes direct to Toronto.
I am ending a trip to Germany and Austria in Vienna. Still looking at how I want to travel back to my home here in Arkansas. Philly would be great if it were running now as I can fly direct to Philly. BTW, I think Philly has improved. East Coast airspace is too crowded, but that impacts every airport in the region.
Then it wasnt very good if today is an upgrade. Terrible signage and not very clean. But the best Uber driver ever. He waited while tge airport gate keepers had lunch. He waited over an hour.
The direct to PHI from Budapest is running now. Pretty okay flight and nice planes.
Nooo.
That’s a long flight on a single aisle aircraft.
