Mumbai30 Dec 23 1 Traveller Economy
Showing International Flight from Vienna
About Vienna
Austria's capital, Vienna, is recognised as one of the most romantic and historically rich cities in the world. The city is known to have contributed significantly to the intellectual and art world with legends like Mozart, Sigmund Freud and Beethoven, the architecture is pristine. With the Danube river flowing through the city of Vienna, there are impeccable locales that should be visited. The Hungarian city is a big hit among tourists around the world. In Austria, Vienna is easily the economic, political and cultural hub for the country. It is also the sixth-largest city in the European Union. Predominantly a German-speaking city, Vienna has a thriving food culture that deserves to be checked out. The city experiences a great number of tourists every year. Not to mention how Vienna is also recognised to be one of the liveable cities in the world.
Best time to visit Vienna
Vienna's backwaters can best be experienced in the months April to May and September to October. Although the summer months are a big hit among a majority of tourists who flock over to enjoy the cool but fresh summer breeze, spring and autumn are ideal. During spring, which falls on the months of April and May, the city experiences chilly weather transiting to hot summers. The temperatures vary between 15 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius, which is ideal for engaging in touristy activities. As the peak season for tourists is later in the summer, this time makes it perfect for checking out some of the biggest attractions without having to deal with the long queues. It is also the best time to book hotels in Vienna as the prices are quite cheap and affordable. Even the flights flying to Vienna are cheap and come with impeccable deals. You should know though that the summers are when some of the best festivals take place, and the city streets are full of lively purveyors. Events such as Vienna Festival, Rainbow Parade and Danube Island Festival keep the spirits high of the locals as well as the tourists.
September to October, which is fall in Vienna, is again a lovely time to visit the city. Even though the temperatures fluctuate between 14 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius, it still manages to maintain a favourable climate that would keep the tourists happy. It is advised that you book your hotel rooms in Vienna a few weeks in advance to avoid any surge in price. In fact, it would be ideal to even get your flight tickets to Vienna booked so that you don't have to worry about the expensive prices. Don't worry, though as you will find some astounding rooms facing breath-taking views to elevate your experience in the city. Plus, the city also witnesses some big festivals such as Vienna Fashion Week, Viennale Vienna International Film Festival and Long Night of the Museums, that attract a lot of crowds. Hence, even though the city might not be too hot for tourists to enjoy the weather in the city, it certainly would give them quite the experience. Winters are also good, provided you are okay with the chilly breeze and the frigid weather.
Places to visit in Vienna
Vienna's fame doesn't just come from the personalities that the city offered to the world (Mozart, Sigmund Freud, to name a few), but also the rich history and architecture that it preserves. You should start your trip from St Stephen's Cathedral, a Gothic structure that has seen various times of history as it was constructed back in the 12th century. You should also visit the Museum of Fine Arts to celebrate the artwork of European stalwarts Velasquez, Rubens, Titian and Van Dyke. Another important location would be the Schönbrunn Palace, which has historical significance for being a hunting lodge turned palace. House of Music (Haus der Musik) is another famous location in the city where revered musicians such as Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, Haydn and Strauss once lived. It is a fascinating museum that cherishes the life and works of the elite musicians of Vienna. While in the city, do not miss Tiergarter, known to be the oldest zoo in the world which houses over 750 animal species ranging from lemurs to tigers. Hofburg Palace is also a beautiful structure that should check out when in the city.
Things to do in Vienna
From Vienna, you can take up a day tour to the Danube Valley and Melk Abbey as a way to unwind from the city's tourist attractions. These places are more nature-friendly and bring about calmness and serenity to a person. You should also try to book yourself a ticket and catch a show at the Vienna State Opera for it holds a very important position in Austria. Another fun activity to indulge in would be to check out the Naschmarkt. It is known to be a big market that comes together for the sale and purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. There are some food stalls and joints here too that will amaze you. Vienna sells history, and you should try to soak in as much as you can. The place bustles with beautiful palatial structures and cathedrals with stunning architectural works. It would be a shame to not explore more of the city. You can rent a bicycle to do the same.
Food and restaurants in Vienna
Austrian cuisine is predominantly meat-based. The city's cuisine is something one should definitely indulge in, but it might be difficult for a vegetarian to survive. Much if their dishes come from their love for meat, which is something that a vegetarian cannot enjoy. Hearty meals such as Austrian taverns, also known as beisls, are basically hefty portions of boiled beef (tafelspitz), goulash (a stew prepared from potatoes and beef) and a schnitzel (deep-fried wiener). To get the best and authentic flavours of an Austrian meal, you should check out Lugecj and Ofenloch, located within Innere Stadt. Of course, if you need to save some money because you're following a strict budget, then you should leave Innere Stadt and walk up beyond the city centre. Innere Stadt is quaint and extremely posh, which would only work for you if you have to the bucks to splurge.
To get some cheap and affordable food that continues to express the culture of Austria, then you should visit Gmoakeller in Landstrasse and Motto in Weiden. Although it is recommended that you savour in as much Austrian, you can indulge in some international cuisine too. In the city, you will find Asian and Italian cuisine to continue your food expedition. Remember to carry enough cash for your food as most of their restaurants and food establishments do not accept credit or debit card. Vienna's streets have cafes, desserts and patisseries galore which would leave you in awe of their gugelhupfs (Bundt cake) and apple strudel. Everything they consume is incomplete without wine, so do not hesitate to pick a fine wine for your dining. Or you can call for some beer too to complete your meal.
How to reach Vienna
There is an abundance of flights available that fly to Vienna from India. However, there are no direct flights that fly to Vienna from India. However, thanks to some of the airlines, there are layovers and connecting flights that fly to Vienna. Airlines such as Lufthansa, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, Vistara, LOT Polish Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, to name a few, have regular flights to Vienna. The most popular route to Vienna often picked by tourists is the one connecting from Istanbul. The duration via this route is the least and hence, is the most convenient. Some of the other cities where layovers take place are Warsaw, Doha, Munich, Cairo, Frankfurt, Muscat and Dubai. The duration of flights to Vienna from India is close to 11 hours from Mumbai. However, depending on the airlines that you pick, the duration can extend accordingly. The flight tickets to Vienna are also decently priced, but it might be steep for you if you have a lot of other cities in Europe that you plan to travel to from Vienna. Flight deals to Vienna might be available online provided you book in advance and get more miles.
As a holiday destination, there is a high demand for Vienna from India. People mostly opt to travel to a plethora of cities as part of their European trips. Hence, they start from one place in the EU Union and then travel within the continent. When using this method, Vienna is best reached via Munich by train. Either Munich or Zurich, there are fancy trains that traverse to the beautiful Austrian city. Booking your hotels in Vienna is key to getting great discounts and cheap deals. The city is always crowded with tourists, thanks to its popularity. It is also one of the cheaper vacations one can look for, which makes the accommodations a tad bit difficult to find. If you are planning for a trip, especially during peak season, it is best advised to book rooms in Vienna to avoid the surge in prices.
About Scandinavian Airlines
Scandinavian Airlines, popularly referred to as SAS, is the flag carrier for Scandinavian countries including Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The abbreviation SAS stands for Scandinavian Airlines System, also formally known as Scandinavian Airlines System Denmark-Norway-Sweden. One portion of the headquarters is at the SAS Frösundavik Office Building, located in Solna, Sweden. The main hub of Scandinavian Airlines is located at the Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport. It has connections with about 109 international destinations. The second-largest hub for Scandinavian Airlines is at Stockholm Arlanda Airport while the third one is at Oslo Airport Gardermoen. Some of the smaller hubs for Scandinavian Airlines include Sola, Flesland, Göteborg Landvetter Airport, Trondheim Airport, Værnes, Bergen Airport, to name a few. Reportedly, in 2017, Scandinavian Airlines accommodated 28.6 million passengers and eventually achieved a revenue of 40 billion Swedish kronor. SAS is the eighth-largest airline in the European continent and the largest in Sweden and Denmark.
Founded in 1946, Scandinavian Airlines was birthed by a consortium to bring forth transatlantic operations for Denmark's airline Det Danske Luftfartselskab, Sweden's airline Svensk Interkontinental Lufttrafik and Norway's Det Norske Luftfartselskap. Two years from the genesis, the consortium also extended its cooperation to accommodate European and domestic operations. Eventually, in 1951, the airlines merged under the consortium to create the Scandinavian Airlines System. SAS is also known to be an icon of Swedish-Norwegian-Danish cooperation. SAS is also one of the founding members of the major airline alliance, Star Alliance. They joined the league in 1997, along with Air Canada, Thai Airways International, Lufthansa and United Airlines. Government holdings of SAS have changed with Sweden having 21.4 per cent shares while Norway and Denmark hold 14.3 per cent respectively. The remaining 50 per cent shares are publicly held as they are traded in the stock market. Much recently, Norway announced that they are giving up all the shares to the organisation.
Much recently, the airlines revealed its new livery, which will be rolled out to the whole fleet by 2024. It was initially showcased on their new A350 and A320neo. SAS aircraft is predominantly white with a light beige fuselage that has "Scandinavian" written above the windows and "Airlines" etched below the windows. The airline has used the typeface Rotis SSemi Serif. The classic white SAS logo has been imprinted on the vertical stabiliser and winglets, in blue.
Fleet size of Scandinavian Airlines
Scandinavian Airlines System fleet comprises of 180 aircraft and has aircraft such as Airbus A319, Airbus A320neo, Airbus A330, Airbus A350, Boeing 737 Next Generation, Airbus A320, Airbus A321 and Airbus A340. The airline also has wet leases ATR 72, A320neo and Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The airline has been working on expansion plans for short-haul and long haul flights that fall under its fleet. In 2011, the Scandinavian Airlines announced to order 30 new A320neo aircraft to harmonise their fleet. Their vision is to have an all-Airbus fleet at both its bases in Stockholm and Copenhagen. The plan to have mixed A320neo and A320ceo fleet operations from both the airline bases. As for their Oslo base, SAS plans to keep all the Boeing 737-800 aircraft operations. SAS plans to achieve their eventual goal to have an all-Airbus fleet by 2023.
As part of their long-haul aircraft plan, in 2013, the airlines and Airbus signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) where it was stated that the airline plans to buy twelve new-generation aircraft along with six options. As part of the agreement, the plan was to replace the ageing A340-300s with A350-900s and A330-300Es. The first eight Airbus A350-900s for Scandinavian Airlines is expected to be delivered by 2019 with long haul options kickstarting at the beginning of 2020. The new Airbus fleet operating for SAS is set to follow international routes by connecting with cities such as Tokyo, San Francisco, Beijing, Hong Kong, New York and Shanghai.
Scandinavian Airlines Baggage Allowance
Scandinavian Airlines' baggage allowance varies depending on the ticket type of passenger. If you are a EuroBonus member, which is their mileage plan, the baggage perks are better compared to a regular economy class passenger. According to the Scandinavian Airlines standards, the maximum weight of the checked bag is 32 kg. The passenger will have to pay a nominal fee if the weight exceeds the said number. Simultaneously, the dimensions of the check-in baggage stand at 158 cm (this includes the length + width + height). Strollers or pram can also be considered as checked baggage and will need to adhere to the weight check of 23 kg and not more than that. Depending on the weight of the baggage, if it exceeds the standard margin, the passenger will have to pay an extra fee to accommodate the baggage. Details of the fees for extra baggage can be found on the official website of the Scandinavian Airlines System website. Usually, delicate and fragile items such as sporting equipment, strollers and musical instruments are allowed onboard, often they are sent in the checked baggage. Hence, it is essential to pack them properly and avoid any damage or mishandling of the equipment.
Baggage that can be carried onboard is also limited as one bag, and a small handbag/laptop bag is allowed with the passenger. The rule applies to all the classes and should be followed. The weight and size of the luggage that is being carried for overhead and under the seat need to be checked beforehand. The weight and size will be mentioned and might vary depending on the economy class and business class. Hence, the best way to approach this would be to check for more details at the airlines or peruse through their website. All the details concerning the baggage have been mentioned by them. The clauses for baggage also differ depending on the country or continent you are travelling to or from.
Scandinavian Airlines In-flight services
SAS Business - Scandinavian Airlines' in-flight services for the business class, are quite elite. The services range from a massage seat installed onboard which converts into a fully flat bed to being pampered with a champagne flute along with a three-course meal. The overall experience of flying in business class of SAS is quite good. They have entertainment systems installed as well with 15.4" HD screen for entertainment, free seat selection and free WiFi services. The private seat further offers power outlets too for individuals to charge laptops, phones and other electronic gadgets.
SAS Plus - SAS Plus is more like the Premium Economy class for Scandinavian Airlines. The cabin is blessed with exquisite in-flight services that range from piping hot meals to chilled beer. You can choose your seat for free too. Not to mention how the airline also has double checked-in baggage allowance reserved for passengers flying from SAS Plus. The wide-body aircraft seating is configured in a 2-3-2 pattern. The seats are also wide than the ones you would find in the economy. The premium economy class ticket also enables you to access the lounges as well as fast track security procedures at the airport. The seats are comfortable and reclining with adjustable headrest and entertainment system of 12" HD screen.
SAS Go - SAS Go is the economy class of Scandinavian Airlines. The airline touts the economy class to be their best value class which offers great in-flight services as well as promises a comfortable journey. At the economy class, you are eligible to purchase snacks and light meals, including beverages from the airlines' menu. A pre-order for the meal can also be made while purchasing the air ticket. WiFi is available for free at the economy class. If you need to choose a seat, you will need to pay a certain fee. The airline offers personal entertainment systems to the passengers along with meals that are included if you are travelling from the US and Asian countries. There are power outlets to charge electronic gadgets too along with great reclining seats.
Popular routes and top cities for Scandinavian Airlines
Scandinavian Airlines has terminated some of its domestic routes and international routes following some cost-cutting. They have completely terminated flights to the Middle Eastern cities. However, they still are well-connected to some of the big international cities in the world. These include Stockholm, Geneva, Bangkok, Istanbul, London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Boston, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, Zurich, Madrid, Saint Petersburg, Warsaw, Oslo, Alta, Amsterdam, Luxembourg City, Riga, Tokyo, Milan, Rome, Dublin, Budapest, Delhi, Athens, Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Paris, Nice, Helsinki, Hong Kong and Beijing, to name a few. Much of the flights from Scandinavian Airlines are well-connected with European cities.
Why travel by Scandinavian Airlines?
Scandinavian Airlines has some limited connectivity as it does not primarily cater to various international destinations. However, when it comes to domestic route connections, the airline is perfectly networked. Some of the biggest perks of travelling via SAS is the ability to reach Scandinavian cities without much stress. You can book Scandinavian Airlines flights on their website as well as on some specific travel portals. Further on their website, you can also do your web check-in, find out about the flight status and know more about the Scandinavian Airlines' flight schedule.
