One of my customers made, few months ago, a request of a survey report on low-cost airlines worldwide. For myself and two of my assistants it was the beginning of several flights. Not being a supporter of low-cost airlines I decided to assign most of the survey to my assistants keeping for myself only the airlines that, from advertisement or web site, are offering a better service. To make an acceptable report it is necessary to take at least two flights on different routes.
Surfing the Air Berlin website I was able to book two sector flights. 124 Euro (airport taxes and fuel surcharge included) to fly from Milano-Orio al Serio (that means Bergamo) in Italy to Düsseldorf in Germany/return; and then 58 Euro (airport taxes and fuel surcharge included) to fly from Münster-Osnabrück in Germany to Palma di Maiorca in Spain/return.
The day of departure I reach Orio al Serio airport early evening, two hours before the scheduled departure. I leave the car at remote parking lot and I take the free shuttle bus to the terminal. The check-in procedure takes less that 10 minutes. I get surprised when the check-in agent asks “window or aisle?” as most of low-cost give just a plastic boarding card. The despite the fact that my luggage weighs 25 kilos I’m not charged for extra luggage. I spend my time visiting the few shops that are around the airport; then I pass the security control and it is time for boarding. A bus takes us to the aircraft that is parked at a remote stand. The aircraft is a Boeing 373-400 (from the registration number I know that it has been built in 1996) that looks pristine. The cabin is clean and bright. The seats are allocated in row of 3+3. The seat pitch of 32” is similar to the one of more famous airlines like Alitalia, Air France,Lufthansa (and of course 3” more that the infamous 29” of Ryanair and EasyJet), so there is room for your legs even if you are tall. The cabin crew is courteous and efficient, and speaks English and German. After take-off I get a small tray with two slices of salami and a small piece of cheese, a roll and a slice of cake. I get also a choice of a soft drink or coffee or tea (wine and alcohol are sold at 3 Euro). Definitively not bad for a low-cost. One hour after take-off , we land at Düsseldorf airport. $0 minutes later I’m already in my rented car on my way to the hotel that is near Münster-Osnabrück.
The next day, at 6 AM, I check-in for my flight to Palma di Maiorca. Again fast and no charge for luggage overweight. Unfortunately the flight is delayed 30 minutes without any explanation. This time the aircraft is a Boeing 737-800 (delivered in 2001). This is a full flight. All are Germans going to vacation at the sun of Baleari. After take-off the cabin crew starts a beverage service (soft drinks free, wine and alcohol at 3 Euro). 30 minutes later I get a tray with lunch (very strange as it is only 9 in the morning) consisting of a small salad (cabbage, carrots, celeriac, mayonnaise), a deep fried chicken breast, two rolls, a slice of tiramisu. And then again another round of drinks. The quality of foods and drinks are similar to the ones of Lufthansa (that is my preferred airline within Europe). Small monitors are placed around the cabin and passengers can view a short movie or a TV program as well as the flight path. We land in Palma di Maiorca after two hours. In the evening I take the flight back to Münster-Osnabrück and the next morning I fly back to Milan. On both return flights I get the same foods I got on the way out.
Finally a low-cost airline with services and quality that can be compared without fault to the major European airlines. Snack and foods and soft drinks are free of charges. Despite the facts that the rules allow only 20 kilos for registered luggage there is not a strict control on the overweight. The aircraft are quite new, clean, well maintained. Within the limits of my 4 flights I can say that Air Berlin flights leave and arrive on-time. Air Berlin has established in 1972 as a charter airline feeding holiday destinations on Mediterranean and Aegean seas from Germany. Few years ago Air Berlin went under reorganization. First they introduced the service called “air shuttle” that links Berlin, Hamburg and Düsseldorf with the main destinations within Europe. The charter services have been replaced by regular flights that departs from Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and other city in Germany with destinations on Mediterranean and Aegean seas as well north Africa.
Air Berlin fleet right now includes Boeing 737 (400,700,800 series) and expect to receive some Airbus 320 during 2005.
Surfing the Air Berlin website I discovered that the prices for holiday destination are always very competitive while if you wish to get a low cost ticket on the “air shuttle” service you must book 3 or 4 months ahead (a green four-leaved clover shows the flights available at 29 Euro). You can book and buy online or calling their call center (Euro 0,06 per minute from Italy). You can change your flight without charges till 24 hours before the scheduled departure. The ticket is refundable against a nominal fee. Air Berlin leaves and arrives in the main airports and not in remote military or civil airstrips.
Air Berlin has a frequent flyer scheme, called “TOP BONUS”. You get miles for every flight that you can redeem for a free ticket.
More details
Class flown most frequently
Economy
How often do you travel with this airline
Rarely
Where did you book
Directly with this airline
Safety
Very safe
How well does it cater for disabled people
Very well
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