A new international route is coming to Western Norway. Here's what tourists planning to visit Norway or Bergen locals keen to explore Central Europe need to know about the new seasonal service.
From June 2026, Austrian Airlines will introduce a direct flight between Vienna and Bergen, making it easier for travellers to move between the Norwegian fjords and one of Central Europe’s great cultural capitals.
The service will operate three times per week from 1 June to mid-September 2026, with discussions already underway about extending the season from 2027 onwards.
The route reflects a notable increase in Austrian interest in Western Norway. According to Fjord Norway, overnight stays by Austrian travellers rose by 11% in 2024, suggesting a growing appetite for fjord landscapes, hiking, coastal towns and outdoor adventure.
Benefits for Travellers in Norway Too
While the new route supports inbound tourism, it also opens up appealing options for Norway-based travellers. Vienna is a significant European hub with excellent rail and flight connections across Central and Eastern Europe.
Cities such as Budapest, Prague, Kraków, Ljubljana and Zagreb become easier to reach with one straightforward connection.
Vienna itself offers a rich cultural break, from grand imperial architecture and classical music to coffee houses, art museums and riverside walking paths along the Danube.
For travellers in Western Norway, having another international gateway outside Oslo also adds flexibility. Bergen residents in particular will gain a new route to Europe that avoids the need for a domestic connection first.
A New Way to Explore More of Norway
From an inbound perspective, the route also connects neatly with domestic travel. Bergen is an important hub for Widerøe, making onward journeys to smaller fjord towns, the coastal islands or northern airports relatively straightforward.
Visitors could, for example, fly into Bergen, travel north by bus, ferry or coastal ship, and then return home via Tromsø or Evenes using Austrian’s existing routes to Northern Norway.
This avoids doubling back and makes it easier to experience more of the country in one trip.
A New Star Alliance Connection
Austrian Airlines is part of the Star Alliance network, alongside airlines such as Lufthansa, SWISS, United Airlines, Air Canada and ANA.
This is especially relevant for frequent flyers in Norway or beyond who collect miles through Miles & More (Lufthansa Group), United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan or other Star Alliance programmes.
Status benefits such as lounge access and priority services will depend on the traveller’s membership level and fare type.
Travellers who usually fly SAS should note that SAS and EuroBonus moved to SkyTeam in 2024, so EuroBonus points cannot be earned on Austrian Airlines.
However, for those already using Star Alliance loyalty schemes, Bergen–Vienna will provide a new and potentially convenient routing option.
Part of a Wider Trend
Western Norway continues to be one of the country’s most popular regions for international visitors, especially in summer. The fjord landscape, coastal culture, dramatic hiking routes and well-connected towns remain a major draw.
Tourism leaders in the region emphasise the importance of improving direct international links to spread travel beyond Oslo and encourage longer, more sustainable stays.
Flights between Bergen and Vienna are scheduled to run from 1 June to mid-September 2026, with three departures per week. Ticket sales are expected to open well in advance of launch.
If demand is strong, Austrian Airlines aims to extend the seasonal service further into the year from 2027.
