Its all true I am afraid. Air Berlin will be withdrawing all services from all the UK regions by the time winter ends. Stansted will remain to have flights to Germany only. Air Berlin have citied the UK Airports landing fees and charges as part of the reason, however it should also be bourne in mind that the acquisition of both Condor and LTU following the take over of Deutche BA has given the airline many other opportunities now to expand its business case in other directions and regretably the UK is not part of that business plan to such a high degree.
I am sure many people will agree its a shame to loose possibly the best LCC in terms of service from so many routes in the UK.
Nivsy
It is always the same isn't it - just when you find something that works well at a good price - it disapears! It was so convenient for us to fly to Palma from Stansted with Air Berlin - have tried Easyjet but they are not really my cup of tea - hate the scrum on boarding.
Could still use Air Berlin but it means a change of plane in Germany which makes the journey much longer than it need be.
What with the GB arm of BA being bought by Easyjet there soon won't be a lot of choice for the short haul flights.
Think I might just have to grin and bear Easyjet - will not fly with Ryanair though!!
Pippa
Could still use Air Berlin but it means a change of plane in Germany which makes the journey much longer than it need be.
What with the GB arm of BA being bought by Easyjet there soon won't be a lot of choice for the short haul flights.
Think I might just have to grin and bear Easyjet - will not fly with Ryanair though!!
Pippa
How very disappointing 
for all regional airports concerned. It does reduce our choices, and I am sad that that we are the losers. 
for all regional airports concerned. It does reduce our choices, and I am sad that that we are the losers.
What may be of some interest, is Air Berlin will launch long haul services from Dusseldorf from May 1st 2008 to China. Shanghai and Beijing will get 5 times weekly service utilising the A330 wide-body.
As reported in this forum, Air Berlin acquired LTU a few months ago and this is the first of I should think a few long hauls. The equipment is ofcourse that of LTU. I should think while it is a shame to see the nice colour scheme of LTU go - the A330's in Air Berlin colours will be smart.
Nivsy
As reported in this forum, Air Berlin acquired LTU a few months ago and this is the first of I should think a few long hauls. The equipment is ofcourse that of LTU. I should think while it is a shame to see the nice colour scheme of LTU go - the A330's in Air Berlin colours will be smart.
Nivsy
Wonder if they will continue with the LTU Business class which was a great option on long haul flights.
Air Berlin will fly to New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Fort Myers, Beijing and Shanghai from Dusseldorf commencing 2008. An improved "Relax Class" will replace the former Business Class of LTU on leisure travel flights and seats will be offered in "Premium Business Class". This type of seat can be adjusted to a fully horizontal position.
Upgrading of the former LTU aircraft has commenced - although I do notice LTU aircraft around Dusseldorf and Munich recently still to get to the paint hanger. With decent prices expected this could be a nice alternative for UK pax if they find Dusseldorf as a suitable route instead of transiting via London.
Nivsy
Upgrading of the former LTU aircraft has commenced - although I do notice LTU aircraft around Dusseldorf and Munich recently still to get to the paint hanger. With decent prices expected this could be a nice alternative for UK pax if they find Dusseldorf as a suitable route instead of transiting via London.
Nivsy
German airline dba wound down
Air Berlin is to close subsidiary dba and is preparing a redundancy scheme for staff not wanting to transfer jobs.
The Munich-based airline, which started life as British Airways offshoot Deutsche BA in 1992, was acquired by Air Berlin two years ago.
All flights are to be discontinued in a month's time.
Dba currently operates nine aircraft. Three older Boeing 737-300s are to be retired from service in November.
The airline's 120 pilots and 175 flight attendants are to be offered comparable jobs within the group and at their current locations.
"A redundancy scheme is being prepared for those dba employees who do not want to accept such offers," Air Berlin said. "Ongoing discussions, also involving staff representatives, are currently being held with the unions concerned.
With permission from Travelmole
Air Berlin is to close subsidiary dba and is preparing a redundancy scheme for staff not wanting to transfer jobs.
The Munich-based airline, which started life as British Airways offshoot Deutsche BA in 1992, was acquired by Air Berlin two years ago.
All flights are to be discontinued in a month's time.
Dba currently operates nine aircraft. Three older Boeing 737-300s are to be retired from service in November.
The airline's 120 pilots and 175 flight attendants are to be offered comparable jobs within the group and at their current locations.
"A redundancy scheme is being prepared for those dba employees who do not want to accept such offers," Air Berlin said. "Ongoing discussions, also involving staff representatives, are currently being held with the unions concerned.
With permission from Travelmole
Looking at Air Berlin's summer timetable it looks as though they are no longer flying to Munich from Stansted. This is a pity, as we used this route earlier this year and were very pleased with them.
With the demise of DBA for Air Berlin services out of Munich, and some re-structuring going on regarding what services will be operating out of Munich come 2009 - it certainly does look that Munich-Stansted has (at least for the time being) been withdrawn for 2009.
Nivsy
Nivsy
TUIfly and Air Berlin are likely to join forces.
TUIfly will also go into long-term wet lease contracts with Air Berlin and TUI .
17 aircraft will be operated for Air Berlin and 21 aircraft will be operated under TUIfly charter in Germany.
Each will take just under 20% cash stake in each other.
Nivsy
TUIfly will also go into long-term wet lease contracts with Air Berlin and TUI .
17 aircraft will be operated for Air Berlin and 21 aircraft will be operated under TUIfly charter in Germany.
Each will take just under 20% cash stake in each other.
Nivsy
I just hope they use Air Berlin's reservation system - the TUIfly one is rubbish!!
Tomorrow - Tuesday 27th July - Air Berlin will accept an invitation to join the alliance of "One World "which includes BA, Iberia, Finnair, American Airlines and others.
Lets just hope this is advantageous to the carrier and does not indicate a reduction of the services this gem of an airline provides. Maybe we will see them at Heathrow yet!
Nivsy
Lets just hope this is advantageous to the carrier and does not indicate a reduction of the services this gem of an airline provides. Maybe we will see them at Heathrow yet!
Nivsy
Flying Air Berlin next week (UK to Italy). Just wondered, do they allow passengers to take their own snack (sandwich, drink etc) on board? Thanks
hi, unless things have altered AB always provided a very nice filled roll and a hot drink gratis when they flew to Palma from Stansted. oh! and sometimes a newspaper and certainly a sweet or kitkat on leaving the aircraft. as reported on this thread AB is sorely missed in the UK for amazing value and service. 
http://www.airberlin.com/site/flug_service_an_bord.php?LANG=eng
You may find the above link of interest. Enjoy the Air Berlin Service...
Nivsy
You may find the above link of interest. Enjoy the Air Berlin Service...
Nivsy
Many thanks for the replies.
Ok, just read their FAQs with regards to baggage allowance on their website (link for reference: h**p://www(dot)airberlin(dot)com/site/flug_gepaeck_luggage.php?LANG=eng), and just need a bit of clarification please. From what I can gather, am I entitled to a free checked-in baggage allowance (20kg max) and a free cabin baggage (which I assume is hand luggage) allowance (6kg max, 8kg inc laptop)? I did email them for clarification, but got a long email back in German, which I do not understand. Thanks
PS. Traveling from UK to Italy.
PS. Traveling from UK to Italy.
dansulema
I've only just read this thread,but maybe I can answer your questions.
They don't normally weigh your hand luggage (though this may have changed as I haven't flown with them this year) The hand luggage weight is seperate to your checked luggage so you can carry up to 26KG or 28Kg total in your hand luggage and hold luggage bags( one up to 20kg and one 6-8KG). I have read both the German and English pages and they give pretty much the same info.
They normally serve a meal or a snack but you can take your own food on board.
Air Berlin are an excellent airline and I don't expect you to have any problems with them.
If you have any more questions just ask.
Judith
I've only just read this thread,but maybe I can answer your questions.
They don't normally weigh your hand luggage (though this may have changed as I haven't flown with them this year) The hand luggage weight is seperate to your checked luggage so you can carry up to 26KG or 28Kg total in your hand luggage and hold luggage bags( one up to 20kg and one 6-8KG). I have read both the German and English pages and they give pretty much the same info.
They normally serve a meal or a snack but you can take your own food on board.
Air Berlin are an excellent airline and I don't expect you to have any problems with them.
If you have any more questions just ask.
Judith
Thank you very much for your reply Judith. It's been most helpful. 
Agree with Judith. The weighing of hand /cabin baggage can be done on occassion - although usually at Spanjish Airports for Air Berlin flights.
Post a Reply
Please sign in or register an account to reply to this post.
Similar Topics