Austrian Airlines has recently expanded its fleet with the addition of its fifth Airbus A320neo. The aircraft, registered as LZR and arriving directly from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, touched down at 11.46 a.m. This new addition, currently in white, will be adorned with the Austrian livery in the upcoming spring.
The A320neo, designed for short and medium-haul flights, is slated to begin service within a few weeks. This latest aircraft completes the A320neo fleet for the national carrier, joining four others integrated between August 2022 and July 2023. Notably, the A320neo’s advanced engine technology and improved aerodynamics enable up to 20% less fuel consumption, potentially saving up to 3,700 tons of CO2 annually per aircraft compared to its predecessors.
Austrian COO Francesco Sciortino Comments on Fleet Expansion
Austrian Airlines emphasizes this acquisition’s role in enhancing fuel efficiency, profitability, and reaffirming Vienna as a key business hub. Francesco Sciortino, Austrian Airlines COO, remarked, “The arrival of our fifth A320neo is a wonderful end to the year for Austrian Airlines and a gift for our passengers, who can look forward to even more travel comfort on board. In the coming years, Austrian Airlines will modernize both its short and medium-haul fleet as well as its long-haul fleet. The use of modern and fuel-efficient aircraft is, alongside the use of sustainable fuels, the greatest lever for achieving our ambitious climate targets.”
Innovations in Cabin Design and Passenger Comfort
The new aircraft, equipped with the innovative Airspace Cabin, offers enhanced comfort. It features slimmer side walls for increased shoulder space, 60% more capacity for hand baggage, and a flexible lighting system that aligns with passengers’ biorhythms. This system adjusts the cabin and washroom lighting to warm red or cool blue tones, depending on the flight phase and time of day, to enhance passenger well-being.