Niki

Niki was founded in 2003 by Austrian Formula One champion and aviation entrepreneur Niki Lauda, initially using assets acquired from the former Aero Lloyd Austria operation. The carrier developed a distinctive Austrian identity while combining low-cost pricing with selected service elements associated with traditional airlines. Air Berlin progressively acquired the company and eventually became its sole owner, making Niki an important part of the German airline group's leisure network. Financial difficulties at Air Berlin ultimately affected Niki, which filed for insolvency and ceased flying in December 2017.

Vienna was Niki's primary hub and the centre of a network spanning 41 destinations across 18 countries through 96 routes. Salzburg, Palma, Graz and Hurghada were also among its busiest departure points. The schedule mixed links between European cities with services to popular leisure markets around the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, Turkey and Egypt. Notable destinations included Barcelona, Belgrade, Bucharest, Antalya, Las Palmas, Tenerife and Arrecife, while Palma functioned as both a major holiday destination and an operational base.

Aircraft associated with Niki's operations included Airbus A320 and A321 jets, Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft, De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400 turboprops and Embraer ERJ-190 regional jets. Its later fleet was particularly associated with Airbus narrow-body aircraft suited to short- and medium-haul routes. The onboard proposition was broadly economy-focused, consistent with its low-cost positioning, although fare products and service inclusions varied over time and through its relationship with Air Berlin. Travellers could purchase food, enhanced seating options or more flexible conditions depending on the fare.

Through Air Berlin, Niki participated in the Oneworld alliance as an affiliate from 2012, giving eligible passengers access to alliance connections and reciprocal benefits while the arrangement remained active. Its frequent-flyer programme was topbonus, the same scheme used by Air Berlin. Members could historically earn and redeem miles on qualifying Niki services and receive benefits according to their status and ticket conditions. Neither Niki's airline operation nor the original topbonus relationship remains active, so historical memberships do not provide access to current Niki flights.

Niki's strongest feature was its useful combination of Austrian departure points and direct services to major European holiday regions, particularly from Vienna and secondary Austrian airports. Its network gave leisure travellers alternatives to connecting itineraries through larger foreign hubs. The principal challenge for travellers today is that Niki is defunct: its former website, schedules, fare rules and loyalty arrangements should be treated as historical information rather than bookable products. Some routes later appeared under other operators, but these are not Niki services and may have different policies.