Austria’s national carrier is the eponymous Austrian Airlines, with its central offices in Vienna, and its main hub at Vienna’s international airport, also known as Wien Schwechat. The Vienna airport is known throughout the industry for its singular ability to move passengers quickly and conveniently to connecting flights, almost always in 30 minutes or less. Passengers waiting for flights to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, can find just enough time to enjoy the airports boutiques, coffee shops, cafes, and lounges to make the wait seem even shorter.

Austrian Airlines was founded in 1957 and serves 117 travel destinations with its major focus on Eastern Europe and the Middle East.  Many of the flights to Eastern Europe and the Middle East are handled by a subsidiary of Austrian Airlines called Tyrolean.  Austrian Airlines has over 8,500 employees.  The airline is a member of the Star Alliance and the Austrian Airlines Group.  The Star Alliance is the largest airline alliance in the world with 24 members.  The airline operates a flight that consists of planes built by Airbus and Boeing.

Austrian’s frequent flyer program is Miles & More. Used by 13 European airlines and by over 15 million people, Miles & More is the most popular frequent flyer scheme in Europe. It permits its members to earn and use their frequent flyer miles on all 13 member airlines as well as all the carriers in Star Alliance.

Austrian Airlines is a leader in airline safety, beginning with armed monitoring of its flights in 1981.  At least two undercover sky marshals are on each Austrian Airlines flight. Austrian Airlines staff, especially its pilots and flight attendants, receives frequent safety training with a special focus on in flight safety and technology.

Austrian Airlines wants to be known for its customer service, prompting the airline to launch an extensive customer service program in 2006.  Dozens of new and attractive features were created, ranging from free snack service in the economy class, new passenger lounges and inclusive ground services. Austrian Airlines calls the program a success, pointing to many industry surveys that have given the airline top rankings in customer service and quality.  Austrian Airlines customer service focus ties in with Vienna International Airport’s promise to keep its passengers moving quickly without having to wait longer than half an hour for their connecting flights.

In February 2009, the airline appointed Dr. Andreas Bierwirth and Dr. Peter   chief co-executives, with equal management rights. Austrian’s board of directors anticipates this new and unique management team will boost the airlines’ bottom line despite declining passenger numbers. In 2008, the airline carried 10.7 million passengers, down from 2007, and further loss of traffic is expected in 2009. Emphasizing its well-known strengths, Austrian Airlines is maintaining its image as the carrier of choice for flights from Europe to the Middle East, adding four flights each week to Jordan’s capital, Amman.

In its rocky past, South Africa has experienced turmoil and suffering, still, the country is starting to re-invent itself.  As a matter of fact, tourism numbers for South Africa have increased every year for the past ten years.

Flights that fly into South Africa usually schedule departures for evening, which allows them to land early in the morning.  The biggest majority of these flights will land in Johannesburg, but most tourists that book cheap flights to South Africa, head for Cape Town.  As South Africa’s oldest city, Cape Town offers visitors top-notch restaurants and a pulsing nightlife. 

Not many airlines service Africa, and because of that, flights fill up rather quickly.  Nevertheless, it is certainly possible to find a cheap fare to South Africa, although you will have to do some planning and follow some advice.  The number one tip is to plan your flight far in advance. Do not be afraid to book that flight at least two months ahead of time.  Because Africa is a land of that offers a myriad of pastimes, and a diverse climate, the ideal time for booking a cheap flight is hard to pin down.  The determining factor is what you intend to do, although you should keep in mind the reversal of seasons.  November through February is summer in the southern hemisphere.  For those who want to see wild game, it is best to come in spring, which would be August through October.  For the whale watchers, mid-June to October is when the Southern Right Whales can be seen, and you will want to come between August and December for Humpbacks.

Booking your flight from Europe is definitely the cheapest way to go.  If you already live in Europe, that is not a problem.   However, if you are flying from the US, you may want to ask your travel agent to book a flight to Europe first, before flying on to South Africa.  If at all possible, hit the off-season, November to mid-December and January to March, and that flight from the US to Europe will be very reasonable.

There’s a number of budget airline companies that operate regionally in South Africa, so if you want to save money, regional hubs are the way to go.  ACSA, or Airports Company South Africa, run all ten domestic and International airports, and there are six different airlines offering domestic flights. On top of that, you can find numerous charter services as well.  Keep in mind, every one of these airlines will offer you something unique in terms of pricing and routes, so it is a good idea to make advance plans. 

You might also want to check into regional hubs as a way to save on a flight to South Africa.  Several budge airline companies operate regionally in South Africa.  There are also ten different domestic and International airports.  All of these airports are run by ACSA, or Airports Company South Africa.  As for domestic flights, six different airlines offer those within South Africa, and there are a number of charter services, as well.  Keep in mind that each airline offers a little something different, with varying price packages and schedules, so preplanning will help you find the best options for the least amount of money, based on your travel plans.

The options for flying to South Africa cheaply are limited, but if you plan ahead, you can certainly fly cost effectively.