Air Berlin

Berlin-Abu Dhabi-Phuket. Good things first: Flight crew very friendly very helpful making the best of the basic services Air Berlin provides. You receive a glass of wine with dinner (but they have to explain: only one!). Headphones are charged for 3 Euro. The onward boarding pass (Air Berlin flight Air Berlin plane) from Abu Dhabi to Phuket has to be picked up personally at Etihad counters in Abu Dhabi as Air Berlin cannot issue them - in Berlin! Overall - if cheaply priced ok. If expensive definitely not.

FRA-TXL. The check-in area was nice and fast. The plane was in good shape left on time and they served a snack. Flight attendants were very attentive. Upon exiting the plane they handed out chocolates. Would happily fly them again.

TXL-AUH-TXL. Outbound flight to Abu Dhabi very lightly booked. Average meal was served and we got small bottles of water as an extra service. Old seat layout without in-seat entertainment. Return flight was fully booked. My seat reservation had been given away despite the fact I checked in 120 minutes ahead of the flight. The aircraft was fitted with new seats. The new economy seats were disappointing the pocket is too small to even fit an iPad or a bottle of water; and the passenger behind me used the touchscreen like a woodpecker waking me up every time. Before departure the crew told passengers would have to enjoy the entertainment system without sound. The sun started rising but there was no effort to close the window blinds. As promised the crew mercilessly started serving breakfast 120 minutes before landing. Again loud announcements that woke everyone up. All in all an unpleasant experience.

Flight from Abu Dhabi to Phuket return. Codeshare with Etihad. Inflight entertainment zero seats small and service very mediocre. After serving an average meal the crew disappeared. On a 6-7 hour flight one would expect them to serve at least water between the main meal and the turkey/cheese roll before landing.

TXL-ZRH-TXL weekly. Most of the time very punctual crew not always friendly but watch out if the flight is late in into TXL on Friday evenings. Only passengers with connecting flights can disembark. I do have a gold card with AB as did several of the people next to me but still we were hindered in getting out by a loud FA. So far I have always booked them as they are cheaper than LH or Swiss but I will definitely review that.

Flew Berlin-Frankfurt which was fine. On the return Tel Aviv-Berlin. Flight delayed by an hour. No hot food just a sandwich - I expected a lot more on a medium haul flight. Staff were a bit rough around the edges and wore an awful black uniform. You had to pay 3 Euros for headphones to listen to the inflight entertainment. Money was the main motivation to fly them but not the overall service. Fine for short-haul but not for medium haul. The flight itself and landing etc were fine.

DUS-MIA on A330-200. Unacceptable business class seat same as 6-8 years ago on LTU Airlines. They may call it "economy plus" but it has nothing to do with international long distance business class. IFE ok FA - only men - friendly but lack professional skills. Food below business standard just "superior economy" - same for drinks. Flight departed 40 mins late - no explanation given. Luggage delivery at MIA airport ok.

Düsseldorf to Vancouver. Our flight was delayed by 11 hours! Air Berlin did not offer passengers any compensation for the delay not even a meal coupon or a coffee. Onboard staff were also rude. They did not offer any explanation for delay when asked. The seats were relatively comfortable but the meals were below average. The overall quality is that of a typical budget airline. The worst customer service experience I have ever witnessed.

Trip from Rome Fiumicino to Frankfurt. Due to 'technical issues' was forced to return to the airport twice and then rescheduled the following day. Staff were extremely unhelpful during this ordeal. We sought a flight with another airline the following day. Air Berlin have not been helpful since this endeavour in responding to enquiries.

HAM-MUC-HAM: B737 700 and A320. Flights were 85 and 50% full on respective legs. Passengers greeted with unmotivated and crew giggling amongst themselves. Aircraft's clean enough and service friendly. Soft drinks and chips served. Both flights on time. Recently prices have gone up LH is offering cheaper tickets. I think its time to upgrade to LH.