A guide to Vienna International Airport (VIE)

If you’re flying to or from Austria, there’s a good chance you’ll pass through Vienna International Airport.

by staff writers / July 12, 2019

Here's all you need to know about Vienna International Airport. Image credit: NicoElNino/iStock — Here’s all you need to know about Vienna International Airport. *Image credit: NicoElNino/iStock*

Thanks to airport remodeling and expansion in the early 2000s, Vienna Airport now sees 30 million passengers a year pass through its terminals. Having this handy guide plus an airport map can help you get where you want to go smoothly.

Airlines flying out of Vienna International Airport (VIE)

Vienna Airport has four terminals: Terminals 1, 1A, 2 and 3. Terminal 2 is undergoing refurbishment, so the airlines that would normally be stationed there have been temporarily relocated. Branching off each of the terminals are several concourses, where you’ll find the gates, shops, and restaurants. Use this helpful list to see which terminal you should head to.

Terminal 1

Aegean Airlines
Aer Lingus
Aeroflot
Air Algerie
Air France
Air Malta
Air Moldova
Air Serbia
AirBaltic
ASL Airlines France
British Airways
Condor
EasyJet
Eurowings
Finnair
Freebird Airlines
Germania
Iberia
Iraqi Airways
Jet2
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Laudamotion
Pegasus Airlines
People’s
Rossiya Russian Airlines
S7 Airlines
Saudia Airlines
Tarom
Turkish Airlines
Ukraine International Airlines

Terminal 1A

Air Cairo
Air Europa
Belavia
Blue Air
China Airlines
Corendon Airlines
Corsair International
CSA Czech Airlines
Flybe
FlyEgypt
Flynas
Georgian Airways
Level
Norwegian
Onur Air
SkyWork Airlines
SunExpress
SunExpress Deutschland
Syrian Air
Transavia Airlines
Transavia France
TUI Airways
TUI Fly Germany
Ural Airlines
UTAir
Volotea
Vueling
Wizz Air

Terminal 3

Adria Airways
Air Canada
Air China
Air Dolomiti
Air India
Air Via
ANA All Nippon Airways
Arkia Israeli Airlines
Austrian
BH Air
Brussels Airlines
Bulgaria Air
Croatia Airlines
EgyptAir
El Al
Emirates
Ethiopian Airlines
EVA Air
Germanwings
Hainan Airlines
Iran Air
Korean Air
LOT Polish Airlines
Lufthansa
Luxair
Montenegro Airlines
Nordica
Nouvelair Tunisie
Qatar Airways
Royal Jordanian Airlines
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
SWISS
TAP Air Portugal
Thai Airways
TunisAir

Airlines without a permanent terminal

Air Madagascar
Air Mauritius
Air New Zealand
Air Seychelles
American Airlines
Asiana Airlines
Delta Airlines
Japan Airlines
LATAM Airlines Brasil
Malaysia Airlines
Olympic Air
Plus Ultra Lineas Aereas
Qantas
Singapore Airlines
Stobart Air
United Airlines
Welcome Air

Airport lounges at Vienna International Airport

Vienna International Airport has six lounges available for passengers. Many are in Terminal 3, while others are spread across the various concourses, most of which branch off from the central area between the terminals.

Some of VIE’s lounges are available only to Schengen passengers, which are passengers flying between EU countries that have no border controls between them. The Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Non-Schengen lounges are open only to passengers who are bound for non-Schengen airports.

JET Lounge

This Schengen lounge is located right after security near the entrances to Concourses B and C. Passengers with first-class or business-class tickets on a wide variety of airlines, including Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam airlines, have access to this lounge, as do members of their frequent flyer clubs. In addition, cardholders with American Express Gold and higher cards issued in Austria, Diners Club cards, and various other credit cards can enter the lounge, and passengers flying any class can purchase access as well. Priority Pass, Lounge Key, DragonPass, and some other club members also enjoy access to this lounge.

The JET Lounge features a snack buffet with salads and soups, as well as self-serve beer, wine, and liquor selections. PC workstations are available with free Wi-Fi for those who need to get some work done before their flight, and a shower lets travelers freshen up before flying. Smokers can find a dedicated area to indulge before boarding.

Catch up on some work at an airport lounge. Image credit: jacoblund/iStock

AIR Lounge

Just after passport control in Concourse D is this non-Schengen lounge. The same groups that can access the JET Lounge are also able to visit the AIR lounge, and all passengers with a same-day boarding pass for any flight can purchase access.

The hot and cold buffet at this lounge has a menu that changes daily, featuring primarily central European foods, with self-serve alcoholic drinks. A prayer room is available for Muslim passengers, and a smokers’ booth keeps the air in the rest of the lounge clear. TVs, international newspapers, and free Wi-Fi are also offered.

SKY Lounges

Vienna International Airport is home to two SKY Lounges, both in Terminal 3. One is designed for Schengen passengers, and the other for non-Schengen passengers. The Schengen SKY Lounge is accessible by the same passengers who have complimentary access to the AIR and JET Lounges. As with the AIR and JET lounges, any passenger with a same-day boarding pass may buy access.

Seating in the Schengen lounge is divided into smaller areas with privacy screens, and some reclining chairs with footrests are available as well as a massage chair. Showers are available, as is a smokers’ booth. A separate workspace provides individual desks for business travelers. The hot and cold buffet features soups, salads, sausages, and snacks, and there’s a small self-service bar as well.

The non-Schengen lounge is similar to the Schengen lounge, though it has no windows. It’s open to passengers with the same qualifications needed for the Schengen lounge who are traveling with same-day boarding passes to non-Schengen countries.

Austrian Airlines / Star Alliance Lounges

Austrian Airlines hosts a pair of lounges in Terminal 3, one for Schengen passengers and one for non-Schengen flyers. Each lounge has separate sections for Austrian Airlines’ HON Circle members, for Austrian Airlines Senator Club members and Star Alliance Gold members, and for business-class flyers. A separate business-class lounge is available in Vienna Airport’s Concourse D. In addition, Austrian Airlines passengers of any class with a same-day boarding pass may purchase access to the appropriate lounge on a one-time basis.

In the HON Circle lounges, designed for Austrian Airlines premium members as well as SWISS and Lufthansa first-class passengers, guests have personal assistant service available to meet their needs. Workstations provide a spot to get your work done before you fly, with computers and printers available. A couple of day beds provide a spot to take a nap, and recliners with ottomans enjoy views of the tarmac or the TVs. A self-serve bar features premium liquors, an espresso machine is available, and an exclusive menu is offered. Showers are also available.

The Senator Lounge offers a hot and cold buffet as well as a self-serve bar. While this lounge is relatively small, it does offer a place to sleep if you have a delayed flight. A small workspace with printers is also available.

The business class lounges are open to business-class passengers with same-day boarding passes. Most of the seating here is around tables, giving you a chance to eat comfortably or review some work, and there’s a small workstation area as well. Several shower rooms are available, and a hot and cold buffet is kept well-stocked.

Hotels near Vienna International Airport

Vienna International Airport makes it easy for you to hold meetings with clients and colleagues, thanks to two hotels within the airport itself. The NH Vienna Airport Hotel offers a full business center and meeting rooms of all sizes in its conference center, and the Moxy Hotel also provides flexible meeting space. In addition, the airport itself provides conference rooms in the VIP terminal area.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious place to stay overnight or longer, you can find what you need just up the road from the airport.

HEINHotel Vienna Airport

The HEINHotel offers not only high-end guest rooms but full apartments with separate living rooms and kitchenettes. The hotel’s fitness center features a sauna to help you relax, and a running track along the Danube River invites you to get outside. Breakfast is included with your room, and the hotel bar is ready to tempt you with culinary delights in the evenings.

Relax in a sauna during a long stopover. Image credit: qwerty01/iStock — Relax in a sauna during a long stopover. *Image credit: qwerty01/iStock*

Shopping at Vienna International Airport

Vienna Airport encourages you to shop by relaxing the normal rules regarding what you bring into the airport and onto your plane. Here, you can buy liquids such as liquor or fragrances outside security and take them through security with no worries as long as they’re in an airport-approved shopping bag. In some cases, you can also carry that shopping bag as an extra carry-on. The airport is also happy to have you do your holiday shopping ahead of time, holding your purchases for you until the next time you pass through Vienna.

You’ll find plenty of luxury shopping opportunities at Vienna International, with most shops awaiting you in the concourses off Terminals 1 and 1A holding the C and D gates, and in the concourses holding F and G gates that branch off Terminal 3, as well as in the Plaza in Terminal 1. At all gates, you’ll find outposts of the Heinemann Duty Free Shops, where you can pick up not only find liquors, electronics, and tobacco, but also fragrances from designer brands including Bvlgari and Giorgio Armani, as well as beauty products from Chanel, La Prairie, Elizabeth Arden, and Lancome.

Plaza

Pick up your designer favorites at Salvatore Ferragamo or Longchamp. If you can’t decide between your favorite designers, The Fashion Gallery features tantalizing choices from a large range of luxury brands. High-end jewelry awaits you at FreyWille or Swarovski, whether for yourself or as a gift for someone special at home.

C Gates

This concourse isn’t a shopping magnet as some of the others are, but you can still find the basics you need for travel at Manner or Schmitt, Senses of Austria and Trunk. And of course, the Heinemann Duty Free Shop is ready to help you with luxury items.

D Gates

You won’t want to miss more designer boutiques in this concourse, including shops from Versace, Swarovski, and Liska. Fill out your carry-on with travel necessities and reading material from Schmitt and Trunk.

F and G Gates

You’ll find plenty of designer fashion to choose from when you arrive at the F and G gates, including boutiques from Ermenegildo Zegna, Hugo Boss, Longchamp, Dolce and Gabbana, and Michael Kors. Women can head to Wolford for high-end shapewear and swimwear, or stop in at Liska if you’re looking for a fine outfit. Luxury timepieces from designer brands are on display at Watch & Jewelry.

If you need to upgrade your travel electronics before you fly, stop in at one of the two Capi stores in this concourse, or pick up reading material and souvenirs at Convenience Partner or Flavors of Austria.

Restaurants at Vienna International Airport

No matter where you go at VIE, you’ll find a spot to grab a bite before you board your plane. You’re especially in luck if you’re in the mood for fine coffee and some of Vienna’s famous baked goods. Try these favorites, depending on the part of the airport you’re headed for.