Austrian Airlines (OS) has announced the launch of new direct flights from Vienna (VIE) to Ponta Delgada (PDL) in the Azores, Portugal, also dubbed the “Hawaii of Europe”. On the same day, the airline launched its online fan shop, selling branded merchandise, including clothing, flight accessories, and miniature aircraft models.
The airline’s brand-new flight route to PDL will also be the longest operated by its continental A320neo fleet and will take just over five hours. The scheduled flights will operate weekly on Tuesdays until early September and are described by OS as a particularly demanding destination. It highlights that from an operational perspective, it is more complex than typical routes, requiring extensive planning, including fuel management, routing and alternate airports. This is likely because the destination is an archipelago of nine volcanic islands featuring dramatic scenery and changing weather temperatures.
Captain Christoph Mosser said:
“Our team prepared extensively for the launch of this new destination. Our experience operating long-haul flights across the North Atlantic has been invaluable, and we also exchanged expertise with our colleagues at Eurowings and Edelweiss. I find the Azores absolutely fascinating and a truly unique holiday destination that is still relatively undiscovered. It is certainly not a typical summer destination – temperatures remain pleasantly moderate in summer and mild throughout winter. The weather changes quickly, but that is part of what makes the islands so diverse and captivating, just like their spectacular landscapes.”
Austria’s leading airline has also launched its online merchandise shop, so “customers can bring a piece of Austrian Airlines into their homes.”
In May 2026, the airline previewed its new brand identity, “feels like flying“, in a move to modernise the airline’s image. This new style features in its new logo and updated cabin design, while also being curated into its new shop products, many of which allow passengers to be “prepared for take-off'”.
Have you ever flown to the unique Azores? Share your experiences in the comments below.
