I have a couple of options for flights from Vienna to Portland, OR:

1. Lufthansa from Vienna to Frankfurt, then non-stop from Frankfurt to PDX. (shortest option, time-wise)

2. Austrian Air Vienna to Washington DC, then United from Washington to PDX. (this option would allow me to use my Economy Plus seating on United.)

The unknown factor to me is Austrian Airlines. Good? Bad? About the same as Lufthansa? Seat comfort is #1 priority.

About the same as Lufthansa.

Be aware that option 2 will mean you will have immigration and customs in Washington. I would take option 1.

I flew Austrian Airlines out of Dulles a few years ago, and it was the best flight I've ever been on. I was in business class, and it was definitely superior to the same class on other airlines, more like first class in terms of space and comfort.

I would do the Lufthansa. I will try never to transfer in D.C. again! Good luck. (Since the non-stop PDX-FRA came to Portland, that's the way I go to Europe.) CJ

Excellent advice about going through customs in Portland instead of Washington D.C. I haven't connected in D.C. , but you reminded me how horrible this experience was at ORD and DFW.
It's been a few years since I've been to Europe so my memory had faded on the hassles of claiming bags, waiting in line, running to catch the next flight, etc. Ugh!

I pick airlines by the price. He who is charging the least wins.

Thanks for asking this. I'm flying on Austrian Airlines to Mumbai next month and had no clue about this airline.

I don't think a connection in DC is all THAT bad, but compared to Portland, yes, it's probably not desirable.

Lufthansa is going to buy Austrian Airlines. They already cooperate.

That's too bad. Lufthansa was the airline I flew home on after the Austrian flight over, and Lufthansa business class felt more like economy.