European Budget Airlines

I travelled Air Berlin last fall from Malaga to Munich (through Mallorca) and then LTU (bought by Air Berlin) from Dusseldorf home to Vancouver.

I really liked this airline.

The flight to Munich was good but was delayed about 40 minutes.

The flight home from Dusseldorf was great!

For a discount airline I found the service was excellant, I was surprised.

The seats are a little tight for an overseas flight but I don't expect lots of room from discount airlines.

I would fly Air Berlin again.

There are two slight problems with the European budget airline. Most, not all, use out of the way airports which can be difficult and time consuming to reach. Second, mostly have extreme tight restrictions on luggage, checkin, etc., and will charge for nearly everything. As long as you understand these limits, they are fine.

Last June I used Air Berlin to fly 20 passengers from Paris Orly to Munich (MUC) on some of those bargain airfares you occasionally see. The flight was super cheap, clean, friendly and left at the scheduled departure time. I highly recommend them.

Last August my husband flew Air Berlin from Vienna to Sophia, Bulgaria round trip--excellent flight. They even let him carry on the E7 fishing pole he bought during the 2-week trip. Northwest Airlines out of AMS of course wouldn't let him so he had to give it up...(why he thought he could, I don't know! I guess he was just trying to challenge the system!)

I booked hubby and son on Air Berlin from Paris to Hanover a couple of years ago. He said it was absolutely fine. It usd Orly in Paris, which is not a bad airport.

I myself have used Vueling ( Paris to Rome) and thought it was fine also.

As pointed out, read carefully, and adhere exactly to luggage restrictions,, they make alot of money on "overwieight" baggage. I had planned on taking only carry on, but pre paid to check one bag,, since to prepay was only 5 euros, but if I didn't and had to check a bag the charge was something like 15 euros at the airport. Ended up I did just carry on, but I figured better safe then sorry( this was in the middle of my trip so though suitcase might be heavier then when I had left home, LOL )

We flew Air Berlin from Dusseldorf to Berlin last March and it was great! It ranks at the top of my European budget airline list.