Having just discovered that your Austrian flight is delayed through the online flight status, the next course of action may not be clear. Do you proceed to the airport as initially scheduled or do you stay put at home or your hotel? Flight delays can be as short as 30 minutes or as long as 23 hours, potentially leaving you to wait it out at the airport for an entire day. So, the question is, are you obligated to spend 23 hours at the airport, waiting for Austrian Airlines to solve the situation?
The answer to this question depends on several factors.
Read on to learn more.
Your Austrian Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home or Head to the Airport?
What to do if your Austrian flight is delayed?
What’s your current location? Still at your home or hotel?
Or have you already reached the airport?
Scenario 1 – You Are at the Departure Gate, Awaiting Your Flight
You are currently at the departure gate waiting for your flight when a delay in the flight’s schedule is announced. What’s your next move?
Your best bet is to continue waiting at the gate for any additional updates regarding your flight status.
Scenario 2 – You Are at the Airport, But You Haven’t Yet Passed through Airport Security
If you’re at the airport awaiting your turn to pass through security, and you learn that your flight is delayed, it’s advisable to stay where you are. Prior to moving any further, ensure to verify if there have been any changes to your flight’s check-in time. In case the check-in time has been postponed, it’s wise to delay passing through security.
Hold off until further instructions before proceeding through security.
Did you already check in online?
It’s better to wait. Don’t advance until check-in starts.
Scenario 3 – You Are at Home or Hotel
Your Austrian flight is delayed, and you are still at home.
Verify whether the check-in has been postponed or not.
You can acquire this information by calling Austrian or inquiring with the airport information desk.
If the check-in time is postponed, there’s no need to rush to the airport right away. Stay at your hotel or home. But if the check-in time remains the same, it’s advisable to adhere to your initial plans and proceed to the airport as per your schedule.
If the check-in time is postponed, remain home for now.
If check-in is not postponed — proceed to the airport as planned.

How to Check Austrian Flight Status Online?
Here are varying methods to verify your flight status online:
- The airport’s website (the airport your flight is leaving from);
- Your airline’s website (austrian.com in this instance);
- Flight trackers like Flightradar24.
Checking your flight’s status before departing for the airport is highly recommended, especially for flights scheduled early in the morning. You certainly wouldn’t want to reach the airport at 5 a.m. just to discover that your flight has been delayed or even cancelled, causing you to wait for several hours. To avoid that, it’s better to check the status right after waking up. It’s also a good idea to check it again before leaving your house or hotel to ensure there haven’t been any unexpected changes.
Frequently travellers become aware of the delay:
- Via a text message or email from the airline, alerting them of the postponement;
- Upon checking the flight status online;
- On reaching the airport, or even at the gate.
What If You Are Going to Miss a Connecting Flight Due to a Flight Delay?
If you have a connecting flight with Austrian, you’re secured in the event you miss your connection. Austrian will organise the next flight for you at no extra charge, so there’s no need to worry about organising a new flight independently. Simply seek the Austrian staff at the airport for help if you miss your connecting flight.
However, if you have a self-transfer flight, missing your connection is your responsibility, and you’ll have to buy a new flight. But if your Austrian flight is delayed or cancelled, you might be eligible for Austrian flight delay compensation or Austrian flight cancellation compensation for the particular disrupted flight.
Right to Care at the Airport
Travellers who are compelled to wait at the airport due to a flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding are entitled to certain privileges (i.e., they have a right to care).
- During a short delay of 3 hours or more that occurs during daytime, Austrian is obligated to provide complimentary food and drinks, as well as two forms of communication (such as phone calls, emails or faxes), typically provided through coupons.
- In the event of an overnight delay, Austrian is required to provide free hotel accommodation, transportation to and from the airport, and a meal or two at no cost to the passenger.
If you haven’t received any of these benefits, contact Austrian for assistance.

Could You Be Entitled to Austrian Flight Delay Compensation?
Absolutely, you may be entitled to Austrian flight delay compensation.
If your flight was delayed by 3+ hours, or if it was cancelled without at least 14 days’ notice, you might qualify for compensation of up to 600 euros under EU regulations, provided the delay or cancellation wasn’t due to extraordinary circumstances.
This applies irrespective of the ticket price and nationality. Ensure you have your boarding pass and other travel documents, as they could be necessary when filing for compensation. If you need help with the procedure, our partners offer services to assist you in claiming your compensation from Austrian Airlines. You can use the compensation claim form below to make a claim.
Can You Get Flight Delay Compensation in Case of an Austrian Airlines Strike?
In the event of an Austrian Airlines flight being delayed or cancelled due to a strike, there are two potential scenarios – it’s either a strike by Austrian Airlines employees or a strike unrelated to the airline.
Generally, if the strike is caused by airport staff, air traffic control, or a labour strike not directly involving Austrian Airlines, you won’t be eligible for compensation. Such circumstances are considered extraordinary, and airlines are rarely held responsible.
However, if the strike is by Austrian Airlines’ own staff, it’s likely that the airline will need to compensate passengers. Always scrutinise the specific circumstances of your delay or cancellation, and verify any information provided by the airline.
Read more: Austrian Strike Compensation
Can You Get Flight Delay Compensation in Case of Technical Problems with the Airplane?
Indeed, if your Austrian Airlines flight is delayed due to aeroplane technical issues, you might qualify for flight delay compensation.
In most cases, these issues aren’t treated as extraordinary circumstances.
However, there might be exceptions in certain situations, such as if the technical problems were caused by hidden manufacturing defects.
What is your experience with Austrian flight delays? Have you ever experienced a flight delay with Austrian? How did the airline resolve the situation?