Hello and servus!
I’m Mara, and I completed my apprenticeship as an industrial clerk at Eurowings Technik. When the chance came up to do part of my training abroad, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I packed my bags and headed to Vienna for a four-month internship at Austrian Technik.
From the very beginning of my apprenticeship, I had my heart set on Vienna. A few years earlier I had spent a long weekend there and was instantly captivated by the city’s architecture, culture, and all the green spaces. So when I learned that there was a way to do an internship within the Lufthansa Group, I knew exactly where I wanted to go.
In early May 2024 my adventure began. To get into the Austrian spirit right away, I booked a flight with Austrian Airlines. On board, passengers are welcomed with classical music, “The Blue Danube,” as I later learned over a casual lunch with my colleagues.
I landed in Vienna on a Saturday, which gave me a whole day to settle in before starting work. I made the most of it: diving into the famous coffeehouse culture, strolling through the city, and spending time in the many beautiful parks. That little weekend tradition stayed with me throughout my stay.
Monday came, and it was back to the airport, this time not as a traveler but as part of the team. I was greeted with such warmth by the Maintenance Planning department. After the usual paperwork and access badges were sorted, I was soon inside the security area where the Austrian Airlines Technik offices are located.
During my four months, I got a real insight into Austrian Technik’s structure and the responsibilities of the Maintenance Planning team. Their job is all about organizing and coordinating aircraft maintenance. I focused mainly on Base Maintenance planning. That is the kind of in-depth work carried out on aircraft outside of regular flight operations. The planes are inspected from top to bottom, repaired where needed, and brought fully in line with safety and regulatory standards.
One of the real highlights for me was the location of the office itself, right in the security area and just steps from the hangar. With an escort, I could head into the hangar on my way to work or after lunch, and we took advantage of that often. Since I was mostly used to the A320 family at Eurowings, I was especially fascinated by the long-haul aircraft up close.
All in all, I loved my internship in Vienna. I met so many kind and welcoming colleagues and once again proved to myself why Vienna so often ranks as one of the most livable cities in the world.
Best,
Mara
