Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners) - Which birds for NYC-BUD and VIE-NYC?

I would love your guidance on which of these airlines you’d select for flights to/from Europe.

I am planning to fly into Budapest and out of Vienna. I am Silver with United and plan to redeem miles for the ticket although I’m not sure whether I will fly coach or business as it will depend on business class availability.


To BUD from JFK or EWR:
Lufthansa A340 or 747 or A380
Tyrolean Air (Austrian Arrows) 777 – is this different from Austrian Air?
United 777

From VIE to JFK or EWR:
Tyrolean Air (Austrian Arrows) 777 – this is nonstop which I tend to prefer where possible but if it isn’t a comfortable airline I’d rather connect somewhere
Lufthansa A330, A340, A380

What your preference ranking be of these options? Thanks so much!

Coach on United 777 is excellent (Large Screen, On Demande Entertainment, Food Generally OK but not great)

Lufthansa A340-600 (and not the 300) are very good and new.. They have wifi on board, an On Demande Entertainment (though not a large selection of movies)... Generally stay away from their 747 (some still have only a cathodic TV screen mounted on the aisle for entertainment - BOS-FRA)

Have only flown Austrian shorthaul, so I can't comment...

If you can get c availability I'd go with Austrian. Their 777 in Y has a 3-4-3 config, somstay away.

In C however, food is great and the seat is good for lounging on the day flight. The 4 course meal will take you through the better part of the flight; whichis important as the entertainment system is outdated (still no AVOD)

Depending on when you fly, the fleet may have been equipped with new C seats (full flat) and AVOD. Refit starts in Nov and will be done mid q2 2013.