Vienna Airport

After the recent reconstruction the Airport has become much less user friendly with madly long corridors tasteless and grim upholstery it responds more to some self-aggrandizing lofty dreams to become a mule Heathrow-cum-Sheremetevo than to the basics of efficient and gemütlich customer service in Central Europe.

We made a mistake by arriving at Vienna airport before the counter was opened. Surprised to find only 3 seats in the whole of Terminal 3 and they were supposed to be reserved for people with special needs. So all travelers had to stand or sit on the floor. There were only four check-in counters First Class Business/VIP Web Check-in passengers and the economy class. Good luck to the economy class passengers who did not check in online and had tax refund to claim. You would find yourselves scrambling for time having to queue up for stamping of your receipts and another queue to claim the money. All in all the airport looked unbelievably 20 years behind time you probably won't realize it until you land in Dubai.

Travel INN-VIE-ZAG. Austrian has opened a new terminal on June 5 however the services are very poor. Upon arrival there are no signs to the lounge in the luggage hall. Although it was promised that there will be no unnecessary security controls for travellers coming from the European Union which was always the main problem at this airport this is now extremely bad. The conditions deteriorated compared to the prior situation. No priority security check for Star Alliance Gold and business in a very small place. It seems that Austrian Airlines and Vienna airport are completely unprepared for the opening of the new terminal. At all very bad experience.

We transited through Vienna airport from Istanbul to Heathrow there were quite a few shops there and found somewhere to have a drink and eat felt a bit closed in - the windows have slats on them making it seem a bit dreary. At an airport as most people like to see what is going on outside when sat around. It was busy on the day we were there and seemed a bit crowded as the terminal does not seem very big. It was clean and smart though.

Too few options for seating before check-in not a good idea to come earlier and wait for the opening of flight check-in. On the plus side the electronic check-in run by Austrian airlines is flawless and they have enough people at the luggage drop-off to help the more technology challenged. Very through security at the gates but is efficient and reasonably fast.

Arrived from LHR with Austrian Airlines. Extremely hot terminal passport control efficient with no queue and a relatively short walk to baggage delivery where luggage arrived quickly. Departure from VIE a very different story. Again extremely hot terminal which became very uncomfortable. Had checked in online so only had to print off boarding pass which was done quickly. Terminal outdated and very crowded due to outbound and arriving passengers all using the same area. Slow gate security and passport control. Extremely limited seating at the gate with most passengers having to stand. No organised boarding just a rush once the flight opened. Will try to avoid this airport in the future.

Fairly efficient but remodelling over the years has resulted in a lot of visual pollution and the removal of a lot of seating areas except at the gates that only open prior to departure. Staff are friendly and the place is clean but it's increasingly crowded-feeling which is a shame.

Vienna-Gatwick. Decent enough airport limited facilities and seating areas landside but this improves once you go through passport control where there are good shopping areas and eating options. Boarding speedy enough and staff efficient and quite pleasant.

I used it for transit couple weeks ago. First strange detail is having Schengen and non-Schengen wings they have non-Schengen gates at Schengen wing. It causes major trouble to those who are in transit from non-EU to other non- EU country. Physically they have to cross Austran border twice: on leaving arrival gate and on approach to departure gate. Big deal if you don't have visa for that. Double immigration control for those going let say from Russia to USA. Duty free selection is poor and prices are unreasonable. Food selection is very good though. Lack of fresh air. Ventilation is not sufficient. Layout of the airside area is strange but du to small size of the building is bearable. Departure was via bus gate from claustrophobic area downstairs. Overall it does the job but lacks comfort and functionality. Bags did my connection safely.

The beautiful city of Vienna is really let down by its airport. Upon arrival poor signs and long walks to luggage delivery area. The modern CAT City Airport Train connects the airport to Wien-Mitte station every 30 mins - reliable service at EUR9 one-way travel time 16 mins. However cheaper options exist - using shuttle busses or S-Bahn S7 line. Upon departure check-in area hopelessly overcrowded. Airside areas have a lot of shops but nearly no seating facilities. Security check performed prior to entering the gate - however do not go in before boarding as gate room is quite warm and stuffy with inadequate seating. On the positive side both public and airside cafeterias offer tasty Austrian food at decent prices.