We want to ensure that you can easily find your way around the airport. It can be difficult to orient yourself, especially if you are flying for the first time. With a little preparation, you will soon feel like a frequent flyer.
Getting around airports
Getting to the airport
Allow plenty of time to get to the airport on the day of departure.
Even before you leave home, we recommend you put a tag or sticker on your bag. This can prevent confusion in the baggage claim area on arrival and makes it easier for you to identify your bag.
Ideally you should arrive at the airport two to three hours before departure. For flights within the EU or if you have already checked in online, 90 minutes are sufficient. Remember to plan a buffer for possible traffic jams or train delays on your journey to the airport.
Once you arrive at the airport, you will find that most large airports are divided into different terminals, which may be far away from one another. You should therefore find out in advance the location of your departure terminal.
Check-in counters
The information boards in the departure hall display the flights for the next few hours. There you can see which counters you can use to check in and when they are open. The employees on the counter will help you check in your bags and print your boarding pass. To prevent problems during check-in, check your baggage allowance in advance. Then show your boarding pass when boarding the aircraft. Please keep your boarding pass and your ID always to hand on intercontinental routes for possible checks.
Tip: avoid the queues at the counter and check in using the machines. The check-in deadlines vary depending on the airport.
Security and passport controls
You must pass through the security control before going to the gate. These controls are necessary to examine your carry-on baggage for hazardous items and liquids. Please find out in advance what you are permitted to take with you in your carry-on baggage.
Find out before starting your trip which airports within our Austrian route network offer screening checkpoints.
Passport control is also mandatory for non-Schengen flights. Even if you are already at the airport, you should still make your way to the security control in good time as it can take some time to reach the gate.
Gate
Your boarding pass and the ground staff at the check-in counter can inform you about your gate, which is where passengers wait to board the aircraft. Nevertheless, you should regularly review the information boards, since gates sometimes change at short notice.
We recommend that you download the Austrian App, because your mobile boarding pass always shows the gate you must go to. By clicking on the update button, the information is revised and you are kept fully up to date.
Boarding
During the boarding process, i.e. when entering the aircraft, we call our guests in groups. This procedure allows quick and convenient boarding for all passengers. A video explaining the boarding procedure for short and medium-haul flights is available alongside this article.
Quick boarding
At many airports, including Vienna Airport, it is possible to scan your boarding pass yourself as you board. Place your boarding pass on the scanner with the barcode facing down. After a brief inspection, the barrier is released and you can pass through to the aircraft. If your seat has changed at the last minute, you will receive a new paper section at the quick boarding device showing the new seat information.
Group boarding
In order to ensure quick and comfortable boarding, we divide the boarding process into the following groups:
On continental flights
On intercontinental flights
Arrival
In non-Schengen countries, you will need to go through passport control upon arrival. This applies to countries that are not part of the European Union (EU). These passport controls do not apply to countries that are part of the EU. If you have checked baggage, follow the signs to the baggage carousels. Since your baggage has to be brought from the aircraft to the baggage claim area, there is sometimes a short wait. Each flight number is assigned to a specific baggage carousel, which can be found on the information screens. Random customs checks are carried out in the Arrivals terminal, so you should find out about customs regulations and possible export bans before departure.
