Styrian Spirit  www.styrianspirit.com
Author: Markus Wechselberger, 2004

BEST OF STYRIAN SPIRIT

Bill Bryson, a very humorous writer, once said: “There’s no business where customer satisfaction is less regarded than in the aviation business.” Well, that may be true for many airlines, but not for this one.
 
Just to say it as easy and clear as it could get: WOW! We’ve never been so surprised and fascinated by a fine, local airline like Styrian Spirit.
It seems that despite economical difficult times and the well-known controversial escape into the low-cost sector there’s still hope – there is a way to get customer’s satisfaction back...


”Best Fare – Business Air”

Styrian Spirit flies towards the trend: outstanding service, delicious catering and one class: business. That’s already rare, but if you get affordable tickets on top of that, you’ll surely agree:
That’s for what we’ve waited so long!
Styrian Spirit was introducted in March of 2003 and got a point of focus on Austrian’s sky. The cooperation with Swiss International Air Lines connects Graz with a world wide route network of more than 70 countries.


Aircraft / Cabin

Since the start, Styrian Spirit operates with three Bombardier Canadair Regional Jets (CRJ200). A fourth CRJ200-jet will expand the fleet coming December 2004 – this one will have a newly created name and livery: “Salzburg Spirit”, as a tribute to their new destination in their network. From 20th September, they’ll have a connection with Zurich three times daily.

All aircrafts are state-of-the-art and are also equipped with so called “Head Up Guidance Systems”, which allows pilots to land even when the conditions aren’t that good. Passenger’s safety means a lot to them – that’s why the aircrafts get serviced by an experienced crew in an own JAR 145 certificated firm.


Modern cockpit of the CRJ200 - jet

The jets offer space for around 50 passengers and a crew consisting of two stewardesses and two pilots. The first thing that catches your eye when you enter the cabin is a wide, roamy and clean cabin, comfortable leather-seats, a great seat-pitch and a wonderful legspace.
On my retour flight from Graz to Zurich, I never felt crowded or disturbed.



What you will like most when you get a window-seat is that the windows
are lower than in other planes. This really gives you the feeling of flying!

Network / Route

Styrian Spirit flies from Graz to Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Zurich and also to Krakau. Apart from that, they expand their services with flights on Saturdays to holiday-destinations such as Linz-Olbia, Graz-Corfu, Graz-Split and Marlburg-Corfu. From 10th July till the end of October, they’re offering retour flights Graz-Dubrovnik.
As already revealed, from 20th September, “Salzburg Spirit”, in cooperation with Swiss International Air Lines, will start their flight Salzburg-Zurich. They’ll fly three times per weekday. One flight every Saturday and Sunday is offered as well.
Let’s consider again that Styrian Spirit is called “The best fare airline”. So what holds you back from totally happiness?
An outstanding service and a delicious catering.

  


@Lounges

To make you feel more comfortable until the departure of your flight, Styrian Spirit (depending on what sort of ticket you booked) invites you to the Robert Stolz Lounge in Graz and the SWISS Business Lounge in Zurich.

  
Robert Stolz Lounge:
Situated next to the waiting area, after the security check, you can relax a bit. The lounge is not very big and honestly also not a hit – except a television and a limited offer of cold and hot beverages (self-service), there’s nothing special about it. Apart from that, because the curtains are closed, you might feel caged.

You’ve free internet access (so you also have in the waiting hall by the way) and can get some international newspapers


 

SWISS Business Lounge in Zurich:

When I visited this lounge, it just got renovated, so only a little part was open for the public. Despite of that, it wasn’t crowded and had a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The design is modern but warm. The lounge is quite big and offers beside many beverages, snacks, fruits and special presents also free internet access.

When it’s ready, I’m sure it allows some great views on the airport’s traffic. Very nice lounge where you’ll feel welcome.





Service

What should be outlined is that nothing could take the flight-attandants away their calm – just minutes before the departure, the crew was informed that a Lufthansa flight to Zurich had been cancelled and that these passengers were supposed to fly with Styrian Spirit. No problem at all – nothing reminded me of the stress which may have occured.

I was given a warm welcome with a smile, which wipes out every inconvenience I would have had before starting my journey, by two very friendly stewardesses. They offered me a drink prior departure, guided me to my seat and helped me with my handbags. Generally, the service can be described as very attentive, polite but not obtrusive. Throughout the flight, the stewardess asked wheter I wished something else or not and if everything is to my full satisfaction. I had the impression that the friendliness is not forced, that the atmosphere is not stiff but more relaxed, and apart from that the crew really loves their jobs and gives this excitement back to the passengers – that’s how it should be!

Catering

After receiving over 9.000 pictures ofinflight-food from almost all the major airlines in the world, from economy, business or first class – this catering is really oustanding. We’ve never seen something like that before. We’re sure that Styrian Spirit even belongs to the very best in the world – and just remember that it’s a tiny but fine airline with styrian roots.

Now start getting hungry...

To begin with, they hand you a menu with a folded white table-cloth and napkin. After that, the stewardess lays your table and offers an aperitif – in my case a glass of prosecco, water or fresh orange juice. Worth pointing out: Real cuttlery and an excellent presentation.

The meals are attractively decorated and also makes the heart of every gourmet swelling! Do&Co chief Attila Dogudan does his best.




Preparing the Styrian Feta cheese on leaf salads with pumpkinoil


My lunch consisted of “Chicken Curry salad, Styrian Feta cheese on leaf salads with pumpkinoil and Rigo Jancsi / White and dark mousse au chocolat with silvered chocoalte.” Wonderful. You can serve yourself from a bag of fresh little rolls, selected wines and soft drinks. Now imagine to see the Alps passing underneath you...




On my return-flight, I got “Sliced beef in red wine sauce with wild rice, leaf spinach and baby carrots” and for dessert a “Royal tart with raspberry coulis”. I’ve never eaten so good on an aircraft.



What can I say more? Styrian Spirit is an example that even a small, but fine airline can prove that it’s well possible to offer an excellent product with outstanding quality and personal service for competitive prices.
Everything was not common – it felt like being admitted to a special club – my word, is was! Styrian Spirit – just excellent!

Zurich Airport