Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners) - OS service VIE-DXB-VIE

Dear all

as I could not find relevant information in the seating thread as well as in the lounge thread, here are some questions:

Has anyone done VIE-DXB or vv. during the past months? Which kind of aircraft was it?
On www.aua.com it seems that all 737-800 are operated by LaudaAir. Does this incorporate any disadvantage or problems?
The aircraft for my booking always changes between 737-700 and 737-800. What are the main differences? Is it right that one of the 737-800 offers real business class seating?

What kind of food is provided on this route in Y and C?

Is it worth to upgrade the flight in one or both directions?

Which lounges are the best to use for an OS SEN at departure (in the night)? Are the LH SEN/BIZ lounges already open? Do they offer "real" food like in Germany?

Are there fast lanes in Dubai airport?

Any other information that might be useful is also much appreciated.

Rgds
Seb

Even if it is pretty funny that an OS SEN is asking for the lounges at VIE I would recommend the C lounge at the plaza which is at least to me more relaxing than the SEN lounge at the A- wing, which is most likely where your gate is. As for the seats just check out aua.com about the so called new premium business class on mid range flights. The have a schedule about the start of that class.

Even if it is pretty funny that an OS SEN is asking for the lounges at VIE I would recommend the C lounge at the plaza which is at least to me more relaxing than the SEN lounge at the C- wing, which is most likely where your gate is. As for the seats just check out aua.com about the so called new premium business class on mid range flights. The have a schedule about the start of that class.

Thanks a lot for your kind reply. Honestly, I meant lounges on departure in DXB ;)

Unfortunately, my flight is before the introduction of the new seats into the 737-800, so any other information about the current airplane/seating/... would be much appreciated!

Seb

http://www.aua.com/th/eng/about_flight/onboard/classes/premium.htm

Start date: Between Vienna and: Start date: Between Vienna and:
15 July Damascus........................................27 August Jeddah
15 July Astana............................................ 28 August Riyadh
23 July Teheran..........................................2 9 September Dubai
24 July Cairo............................................. .29 September Erbil

Strange that TLV isn't included ?

I think you can only use the *A lounge in DXB.
they usually have some sandwiches and nibblers, IIRC a bit more (e.g. cheese) in the F-section.

NB: check when OS opens their check-in at DXB. not too pleasent to wait around there otherwise...

A/C:

they are currently using a Lauda 737-800. Seating in Y is 3-3 and in C it's 2-2. Seats in C are really different with more seat pitch but nothing special. I personally found them quite comfortable but other posters disagreed.

Priority queue in DXB

yes, there are priority lanes for F/C class in DXB, both on arrival and departure. My experience is, that they don't help that much.

Lounge:

There is a *A lounge close to gate 25, used by LH, LX, OS, TG and SQ. It's usually a bit crowded in the night, as LH, LX and OS depart at almost the same time. The lounge has no free WLAN but in the F-Section some champagne and cheese. Not so bad, but also nothing to write home about. Was there last night, LH 631 was delayed for 2 hours because of a technical problem.

tnx for the useful information. there has been equipment change for the inbound as well, its now also 737-800 (instead of 737-700).
I am not sure if its worth using miles to upgrade - any ideas?

tnx for the useful information. there has been equipment change for the inbound as well, its now also 737-800 (instead of 737-700).
I am not sure if its worth using miles to upgrade - any ideas?

It´s not worth to use miles to upgrade in C. Maybe on the return (night) flight, if you like to have more space.