Lufthansa vs Austrian Airlines
Both Lufthansa Group carriers, both Star Alliance, both direct from Tbilisi (TBS). Lufthansa flies to Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC); Austrian to Vienna (VIE). Onward European + global network is shared.
Lufthansa vs Austrian Airlines: side by side
| Dimension | Lufthansa | Austrian Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Hub airport | Lufthansa: Frankfurt (FRA) - massive, fast immigration, but lots of walking | Austrian Airlines: Vienna (VIE) - smaller, easier transit, walking distances 15-20 min vs 45 min at FRA |
| Direct TBS fare | Lufthansa: 400-650 GEL one-way to FRA or MUC | Austrian Airlines: 350-550 GEL one-way to VIE - slightly cheaper than LH |
| Onward connections | Lufthansa: Largest network of any European carrier from a single hub - 250+ destinations | Austrian Airlines: 130+ destinations; strong in Eastern Europe (Balkans, Caucasus, Russia) |
| Service quality | Lufthansa: Standard European full-service - meals, drinks, free baggage on most fare classes | Austrian Airlines: Often cited as nicer than LH in cabin - more attentive crew, Viennese coffee on board |
| Connection time at hub | Lufthansa: Minimum 60 min in Schengen-to-Schengen at FRA; 90+ for international transfers | Austrian Airlines: Minimum 30 min at VIE - shortest legal MCT in Europe; smaller terminal helps |
Pick Lufthansa if...
Pick Lufthansa if: your final destination is in North America (LH has more transatlantic options), you want a Munich connection, or you have Lufthansa Miles & More status to leverage.
More about LufthansaPick Austrian Airlines if...
Pick Austrian if: your destination is in Eastern Europe / the Balkans, you want a short layover (Vienna 30 min vs Frankfurt 60 min), or you prefer a smaller, less stressful hub experience.
More about Austrian Airlines