Austrian Airlines and the Spanish Riding School are announcing a special cooperation: the name of the world-famous institution now adorns the fuselage of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (OE-LPL).
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While at the Spanish Riding School the noble Lipizzaners soar through the air during their most famous lesson, the “capriole”, the name “Spanish Riding School” of the historic institution will now fly around the world with Austrian Airlines.
Founded in 1565, the Spanish Riding School still stands for tradition, elegance, perfection, beauty, a large piece of Austria and above all: horsemanship at the highest level. The world-famous performances of the Lipizzaner stallions and their riders take place in the magnificent baroque Winter Riding School, the most beautiful riding hall in the world. Around 360,000 people visit the Riding School every year. Around 87 percent of visitors come from abroad – with Americans being the second largest visitor group at 16 percent. Austrian Airlines plays a decisive role in this: the airline connects Vienna directly with six major US airports, making the centuries-old equestrian experience ideally accessible for the particularly enthusiastic US public as well as for all international guests from Europe or Asia.
As part of the cooperation, Austrian Airlines will take over the sponsorship of a stallion from the Spanish Riding School. Specifically, it is a 12-year-old Lipizzaner with the official name Favory Wera. His rider is Christian Bachinger, an extremely experienced rider who has been working for the Spanish Riding School since 1981. He has passed on his knowledge and expertise to the young rider Theresa Stefan, among others, who presents Favory Wera in the demonstrations.
In addition to OE-LPL, another 787-9 Dreamliner already bears the name of a Vienna landmark: last year, OE-LPM was given the name “Schönbrunn Palace”. The naming concept “Highlights of Vienna” is intended to symbolize the strong bond that connects Austrian Airlines with local tourism and thus also with the history of Vienna’s sights.