While airberlin is about as “no frills” as airlines get, I do find them incredibly convenient for getting around Europe. Since they joined oneworld it’s great to be able to redeem British Airways Avios for travel on them, given that their availability is generally excellent and you can book last minute.
Continue reading: Review: Airberlin Economy Class Frankfurt To Catania
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Haha. There are MANY airports like that in Europe. This month I've been in FAO, VCE, MLA, GDN. All airports where locos reign supreme!!
So was the middle seat empty? Wondering how well that ploy works? I'm thinking not too well most of the time in the US.
Lucky, what was the baggage allowance on an avios economy ticket on Air Berlin ?
@ Ben -- Being a low cost carrier has nothing to do with the services provided. Just look at the US, where Southwest and JetBlue are undeniably more "full service" than the legacies. Instead being a low cost carrier is more about the business plane/approach to fares, and airberlin self identifies as such, as far as I know.
@ Varun -- That's a great question, though I'm not positive, to be honest. I know my baggage allowance as a oneworld Emerald, though am not sure what it would have been if I didn't have status.
Lucky, how did you get free seat assignments? The AB website didn't recognize my OW Emerald status and wanted to charge me.
Hey Lucky,
If you think this was no frills I need to know if you've ever had the pleasure of flying airasia?
@ Michael -- Hah, nope, and as I acknowledged in the review, there are definitely lower frill airlines that even charge for soft drinks.
"While airberlin is about as “no frills” as airlines get [...]"
Well, I don't really agree with wou there, especially since you're reviewing an intra-Europe product. In terms of economy class in Europe, it's actually one of the better. (not including TK lol, they're in a league of their own)
Intra-Europe travel is very different from domestic flying in the US.
Lucky, did AB weigh your carry on luggage in either direction of the trip? What airlines in Europe tend to weigh carry on luggage?
@ chitownflyer -- They didn't. In theory most European airlines do, but it really comes down to the agent. And in this case they didn't seem to care.
It's safe to say Lucky, you are missing NOTHING! I would love a free drink and some in-flight entertainment on airasia. Oh well at least it's cheap!! You should give the Airasia X "flat bed" a bash some day though, a review of that would be hilarious!
Excellent timing! I booked a very similar flight CTA-MUC, with 7500 Avios/pp and ~50 bucks in taxes for 2 tickets. It was really the best option to get from CTA-MUC without a connection, and also good value of points as it would have been 400-500/pp cash value.
Nice to be prepared for what is to come.
Seems like a great way to use Avios. Paying double the points to fly in business can make sense if you need higher baggage allowance or if OW airline actually has true J. I know that S7 does but not sure what other Eropean OW airlines do.
P. S. Curiously, S7 actually upgraded my dad from Y to J on an Avios award last year. Not sure why but he wasn't complaining 🙂