Austrian Airlines is preparing to end Boeing 767 operations in Austria after 38 years, with the final passenger service planned for 1 December 2026. In an interview published on 30 October, the carrier’s long-haul fleet chief, Captain Michael Umgeher, assessed that neither the Boeing 787 nor the 777 is likely to match the 767’s tenure in the country. The last two aircraft are due to serve Vienna–Washington before retirement.
Lauda Air introduced the 767 in Austria in 1988 and was the type’s European launch customer. The aircraft later operated routes from Vienna to destinations including Australia, Hong Kong, Bangkok, the Caribbean and Kathmandu. Austrian is described as the 767’s last European operator.
The airline’s final three 767s averaged 25 years of age. Keeping them in service would have required substantial investment in maintenance, Umgeher said. Austrian is replacing its ageing long-haul fleet with Boeing 787-9s; he has flown the 767 for 23 years and logged about 14,000 hours on the type. His 787-9 type training is due to begin in January.
Austrian plans a farewell flight on 1 December, described as sold out. The two remaining aircraft are tentatively scheduled to be transferred to Arizona on 8 and 15 December. Those dates remain plans, not completed transfers.