Review of AirBerlin?

Are you sure that the United and Lufthansa flights are actually different flights? Sounds like a codeshare. I don't think that United actually flies to Dusseldorf. I've flown AirBerlin in Europe, but not long haul. They have new A330s, so there shouldn't be any problems with the planes. Most of the complaints that I've read is that they, as a low-cost carrier, don't have the customer service as the standard, higher cost carriers. When I flew them, it wasn't bad at all. No frills, but it's no RyanAir.

Yes, I think it is a codeshare. I was reading that Air Berlin doesn't have the individual Entertainment monitor for each seat. On a domestic flight that wouldn't bother me, but on a long haul flight it helps the time go by quicker. I like the fact that the AirBerlin flight is a direct flight though.

OK, for those few of us who haven't flown recently, what's AVOD?

I used them for several flights last year and they were fine. I agree that you aren't pampered as much but they aren't Ryanair either. I haven't made a long haul flight but the short ones were okay.

It looks like we're getting this question now on a weekly basis. Air Berlin is great, much better than Lufthansa in economy class. They fly brand-new Airbus A330 and unlike on Lufthansa you've got inseat-video, free earphones, a free amenity kit (in economy class!). For a small fee you can even book an "XL-Seat" which comes with an adjustable head-rest and even more leg room...

"They fly brand-new Airbus A330 and unlike on Lufthansa you've got inseat-video, free earphones, a free amenity kit (in economy class!)." Cool on the amenity kit, but Lufthansa has AVOD in seat as well. :)

I read online on another blog that AirBerlin doesn't have AVOD on all of the long haul flights yet.

Lufthansa only have in-seat entertainment in economy class on A380s and B747-8s... NOT on the 747-400s, NOT on the A330s and A340s...

Yes, I'm aware of Lufthansa not having AVOD in the 747. I fly to Europe once a year and appreciate the AVOD. I flew Lufthansa long haul 747 last summer.

Munich to Dulles summer 2011 on Lufthansa A330 (or 340, can't remember which) and it did have full seat-back video/audio in economy.

Audio video on demand

thanks

Andreas: Huh. I've never been on a LH flight without it, but if it's out there, it's out there.

Your welcome. Yes, August 2011 I flew Lufthansa from America to Germany on a 747 and the plane didn't have AVOD. Not sure if Lufthansa's entire fleet has been updated by now though.

So basically sounds like everyone here who has used Airberlin likes it right, pick cheapest with best flight times for me a direct fly wins, easier to sleep on way over.

As Andreas says, this question has been asked several times before here. Here's one thread about it: Link. My comment is on the bottom. I'd certainly fly them again.