Air Berlin

I flew to Europe on June 15 from Fort Myers (FL) to Duesseldorf. My previous trip was in January 2013 (Berlin- Miami). Company changed their fees on June 1st and nobody had a courtesy to let me know that even though I am their top bonus member (frequent flyer program). I called before my flight to double check and asked if there is anything else I should be aware of (I flew with them few times before so I was familiar with their policies) and teller forgot to mention they changed baggage fees (from 50Euros to 200$). Customer service representative at the check in desk forgot to mention that too and she just transferred me to the cashier and it was than when I found out about the charge! I don't mind paying but I do mind being ripped off! Besides that their seats are very small and food quality could be better (a lot better).

TXL-VIE a weekend trip 26/7-28/7. Both flights delayed: in Berlin they announced 10 mins but it turned to be 25 mins when we boarded. There was an apology from the captain. Return flight also delayed this time nobody announced anything and we had to wait. When for a 55 mins flight you have a delay of 20 mins it is not that good. I found the crew not necessarily rude but there was no feedback from them there were just doing their job and waiting to finish and go home. I keep asking myself how small a sandwich can become? At Air Berlin they succeeded to make the snack smaller and smaller. The Inflight Entertainment is becoming more and more "commercial" and there are no more films or cartoons.

Very satisfied with my first long-distance trip on Air Berlin. Kind and humorous staff both on the planes and at the airports. The food was tasty and more than enough also plentiful drink runs. Then before the staff retires for about 2 hours one receives a small bottle of water-never had that happen before. As can be seen the staff presence is great throughout the flight. The Inflight Entertainment is good too although the TV series were a bit outdated. The plentiful amount of films made up for that again though. On the night flight we were given a large amenity kit with tooth brush and paste socks ear plugs and a eye mask. Only problem is the tiny seat pitch. Even if the person in front of you doesn't put back his chair your knees touch the seat in front of you.

At Dusseldorf airport now waiting for a flight to Milan Malpensa. Our flight was about to board at 4.45pm they started boarding when all of a sudden we were told the flight was cancelled and with no further instruction or explanation other than to go get our bags and get our tickets re-issued. The Air Berlin staff are rude unhelpful and did not give us any alternatives other than to cancel flights or get on an even later flight out of Dusseldorf. This was my first experience with Air Berlin and it will be my last.

Business class from LAX to Berlin as LH had a technical so they offered this: Great One World Lounge in LAX far better in every way than the place that LH shares. New plane. Crew interested and friendly. Business seats were a trip back in time - far from flat and also cheap-uncomfortable so very stupid when they compete with flat beds on the route. Food was about OK only but no "class". Overall: was nothing like a Business should be at the price.

AUH - HKT and return as part of Etihad codeshare. Out in old business class configuration and return in new configuration which is the same as Etihad's business class. Food and beverage offer was not quite as sophisticated as Etihad's but not far from it and I found the food to be very tasty and well presented. The staff were also good in my opinion - being warm and attentive. The old business class seat would not be that comfortable for sleeping on an overnight flight but the layout actually worked well for a daytime flight. IFE was good with enough variety and choice to keep most people happy. All in all I was quite impressed and would be happy to fly their long haul business class product again!

Air Berlin carries its passengers in very low regard. After several plane issues a problem with the door opening and other mechanical problems we sat on the plane at the gate for 30 minutes. While most of the plane had connecting flights the airline did not hold the planes. After flying 11 hours from LAX to Berlin I counted twelve of us that missed the connecting flight to Zurich due to the airline's failures. Had they held the plane it could not have been delayed more than ten minutes. So I had to wait five hours in the Berlin airport for the next flight. The airline's response? A measly $10 voucher not accepted by many businesses in the airport.

Air Berlin from TXL to VCE and back. Everything went extremely smoothly. Free seat next to me (as a Topbonus Gold member) pre-ordered food was on board and very nice (Indian vegetarian curry) cabin crew very friendly and professional both flights a few minutes ahead of schedule luggage among the first 5 bags on belt. Air Berlin at its best!

Departing Catania Sicily Italy on June 30th we arrived at the airport 2.5 hours before scheduled departure time. Massive line for check-in only one woman and one desk checking in 2 flights. No weather nor equipment issue purely bad management and under-staffing. 3 hours in line not a single announcement. By the time we arrived in Dusseldorf our flight (business class) to JFK was long gone. Told the next flight they could get us to Chicago on was the following afternoon - 24 hours later! Told they'd booked us into the airport hotel and they gave us two 10 Euro food vouchers. Flew back to Chicago on Lufthansa/the Star Alliance. Despite business-class having angled seats the food service and punctuality of the flight were flawless. As a lifetime-gold/million-miler on American this experience was sufficient for me to alter my habits and to focus on the Star for my future air- travel needs. Air Berlin's 'service' was utterly lacking.

We came prepared we flew from LAX to DUS. Flight was smooth and food ok. Crew was just like every other flight crew. We took a tape measure and measures the seats front to back and side to side. The seats are the same on all the different airlines we flew except for jet blue which had a 1 inch larger seat. The reason why the seats seem close is because they recline to a greater degree.