SAS and Austrian Airlines…your comments
 

Before anyone mentions it, I also posted this on the Airline Forum, but thought I would probably get more responses here.

I leave for my 3 week vacation to France/Italy next Wednesday and would like your comments regarding SAS and Austrian airlines. I've never flown on either of these carriers before and would very much like to know from those that have flown with either their opinions. I leave out of IAD into CPH and CPH into Nice on SAS and returning out of Florence into Vienna and Vienna into IAD. Your comments are appreciated.

Thanks,
jdc

I've flown both, both are fine companies, good service. Lost baggage on connecting flight with Austrian not their fault but they were extremely helpful in getting it sorted.

Hi jdc26, we used SAS last year for four internal flights within Europe, didn't have any problems at all but just don't buy any bagel/sandwiches on board, we felt they were substandard and inedible.
We had no delays, staff were not overly friendly but were professional. We wouldn't hesitate to fly with them again.
Hope you have a great holiday.

Thank you both for your comments.

jdc

I've flown SAS ONCE and had a very BAD in-flight experience involving seating assignments and more.

Would I expect you to automatically have the same sort of experience?

NO.

Hopefully your own experience will be good and uneventful.

Lufthansa is in negotiations to buy SAS.

Lufthansa currently is in talks with practically every other smaller airline in the European airline industry. And it's the small airlines actually approaching LH rather than the other way round, looking for a solid stakeholder in times when fuel hedges and a sound balance sheet becomes ever more important. Also LH is regarded by most European goverments who still own stakes in their domestic airlines as a reliable partner accepting and actually preserving the national identities of its brands as its track record with Swiss shows.

There is roughly 3 players (LH, AF, BA) outside the discount carriers who will eventually consolidate the market. The high fuel prices and current (financial) market and economic environment works as a catalyst.

Takeovers in the industry are a long way, though, as a general remark. There are practically no hostile approaches and before airlines take an equity stake, they usually consider whether it's worth it to promote their own brand in the potential target airline's market (doesn't make sense for LH with SK as both are Star Alliance), expand co-operation and only put in equity as a last resort (and, if possible, it's accretive).

All that said, SAS from my experience is a reliable airline with, I agree, inedible sandwiches!

Just to add: LH and AF are also among 3 parties short-listed to make a proposal for the 43% stake of Austrian State Holding OeIAG in OS (Austrian), the third party reportedly being Russian airline S7, which in turn is rumoured to have made the best offer.
Now, what these offers look like, is again a complete mystery. Could be actual offers for the shares, could also be co-operation and/or cash lending scenarios.

Bookings on OS should still be safe and OS actually has very good onboard service and food.