Air Berlin

Air Berlin
Maarten Visser from Capelle aan den IJssel, Nederland · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Airline	Air Berlin
IATA	AB
ICAO	BER
Founded	1978
Ceased	2017
Hubs	Berlin Tegel Airport
Focus cities	Düsseldorf Airport, Palma de Mallorca Airport
Frequent flyer	topbonus
Alliance	Oneworld
Fleet size	134
Destinations	171
Headquarters	Berlin, Germany

Air Berlin was a major German airline that operated from 1978 to 2017, offering flights to numerous destinations in Europe, North America, and other parts of the world, including London, Paris, Rome, New York City, and Los Angeles. The airline was a member of the Oneworld alliance, which also included American Airlines, British Airways, and Qantas. Air Berlin's main hub was located at Berlin Tegel Airport, with additional focus cities at Düsseldorf Airport and Palma de Mallorca Airport. The airline's frequent flyer program was called topbonus, which allowed passengers to earn points on flights with Air Berlin and its partner airlines, such as Niki, Belair, and Etihad Airways.

● History

Air Berlin was founded in 1978 as a charter airline, initially operating flights from Berlin to destinations in the Mediterranean region, including Ibiza, Mallorca, and Antalya. In the 1990s, the airline began to expand its route network, adding flights to Amsterdam, Brussels, and Zurich. Air Berlin also became a member of the Oneworld alliance in 2010, which further expanded its network and allowed passengers to earn and redeem points on flights with other member airlines, such as Cathay Pacific, Finnair, and Iberia. The airline's growth was also driven by its partnership with Etihad Airways, which acquired a 29.2% stake in Air Berlin in 2011. This partnership allowed Air Berlin to expand its network to destinations in the Middle East and Asia, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Bangkok.

● Destinations

Air Berlin operated flights to a total of 171 destinations in 49 countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Spain. The airline's route network included numerous destinations in Europe, such as London Heathrow Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport. Air Berlin also operated long-haul flights to destinations in North America, including John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City and Los Angeles International Airport. The airline's network also included destinations in South America, such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as well as destinations in Africa, including Cairo and Tunis. Air Berlin's partnership with Etihad Airways also allowed it to offer flights to destinations in the Middle East and Asia, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

● Fleet

The Air Berlin fleet consisted of 134 aircraft, including Airbus A320-200 and Airbus A330-200 planes. The airline also operated Boeing 737-700 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which were used on short- and medium-haul flights. Air Berlin's long-haul flights were operated using Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which offered a range of amenities, including lie-flat beds in business class and personal entertainment systems in economy class. The airline's fleet was maintained by its own maintenance division, as well as by external providers, such as Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines. Air Berlin also had a codeshare agreement with American Airlines, which allowed it to offer flights to destinations in North America.

● Services

Air Berlin offered a range of services to its passengers, including in-flight entertainment and in-flight meals. The airline's business class product, called XL, offered lie-flat beds, gourmet meals, and personalized service. Air Berlin's economy class product, called Euro Shuttle, offered a range of amenities, including free meals and drinks, as well as personal entertainment systems. The airline also offered a range of check-in options, including online check-in, mobile check-in, and self-service kiosks at the airport. Air Berlin's partnership with Etihad Airways also allowed it to offer its passengers access to Etihad Airways' lounges, including the Etihad Airways lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

● Bankruptcy and Cease of Operations

Air Berlin filed for bankruptcy in August 2017, citing financial difficulties and a decline in demand for air travel. The airline's operations were initially continued under the supervision of the German government, but all flights were eventually ceased on October 28, 2017. The airline's assets were sold to Lufthansa and easyJet, which acquired many of Air Berlin's routes and aircraft. The closure of Air Berlin had a significant impact on the German aviation market, with many passengers and employees affected by the airline's demise. The European Commission also approved the acquisition of Air Berlin's assets by Lufthansa and easyJet, subject to certain conditions, including the divestment of certain routes and slots. Category:Defunct airlines