Friday, December 29, 2023
Austrian Airlines joyfully welcomes a special “New Year’s baby” as it receives a new aircraft from the Airbus factory in Toulouse during the New Year’s Eve weekend. The fifth A320neo, currently flying in white until its Austrian livery is applied in spring, touched down today at 11:46 a.m. Bearing the registration LZR, this short and medium-haul aircraft is fresh from the Airbus factory in Toulouse and is set to transport its first passengers to various destinations within a few weeks. Marking the completion of the A320neo fleet for Austria’s flagship airline, this particular aircraft, registered as Thayatal, joins the ranks of the first four A320neo additions integrated into the Austrian fleet between August 2022 and July 2023.
The Airbus A320neo series is instrumental in Austrian Airlines’ commitment to fuel efficiency and environmental responsibility. Depending on the route, these aircraft can save up to 3,700 tons of CO2 annually compared to their predecessors, thanks to their modern engine technology and improved aerodynamics, leading to a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption. This new addition signifies a crucial step towards enhancing Austrian Airlines’ fuel efficiency, boosting profitability, and making a substantial long-term investment in Vienna as a business hub.
Francesco Sciortino, Austrian Airlines COO, expresses his excitement, stating, “The arrival of our fifth A320neo is a fantastic conclusion to the year for Austrian Airlines and a gift for our passengers who can anticipate elevated travel comfort on board. In the years ahead, Austrian Airlines is committed to modernizing both its short and medium-haul, as well as long-haul, fleets. The utilization of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, coupled with sustainable fuels, remains a key driver in achieving our ambitious climate targets.”
Beyond its environmental impact, the new A320neo further enhances passenger comfort with its capacity of 180 seats. The innovative Airspace Cabin, featuring slimmer side walls, provides passengers with increased personal space, particularly in the shoulder area. Notably, the new cabin design allows for up to 60 percent more hand baggage capacity compared to the previous model. Additionally, a flexible lighting system adapts to passengers’ natural biorhythms, creating a more comfortable ambiance on board by bathing the cabin and washrooms in warm red or cooler blue tones based on the flight phase and time of day.
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