- Many new direct connections in 2013, including non-stop from Berlin to Chicago
- Dusseldorf and Berlin hubs strengthened
- Partnerships enhanced and synergies expanded
- New airberlin Business Class with full-flat seats and more privacy
2013-03-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — For airberlin guests, travelling in 2013 will be even more varied and more comfortable. The airline is ready for takeoff with new destinations, a new Business Class and a larger network for summer 2013. The airline, along with its strategic partner Etihad Airways and the members of the oneworld® alliance, offers destinations on all continents. airberlin has overhauled its network, is further expanding its hubs in Berlin and Dusseldorf and reinforcing its position in its key markets.
The USA is a strategic growth market for airberlin. The new non-stop connections between Berlin and the financial metropolis of Chicago starting in March 2013 underpin at the same time Germany’s second largest airline’s strategy of further expanding its existing synergies with theoneworld partner American Airlines. The airline offers numerous connections from all airberlin destinations in North America with American Airlines as part of codeshare, meaning that almost every region of the USA is available to airberlin flight guests.
airberlin is also increasing the number of non-stop connections from Berlin and Dusseldorf to Miami and also adding to the number of non-stop flights between Dusseldorf and New York JFK as well as providing year-round standardised departure and arrival times to ensure more consistency in the schedule. The frequency from Dusseldorf to Los Angeles is also being increased enabling airberlin flight guests to fly daily from Germany to the west coast of the USA by also using the three-times-a-week connections from Berlin as of May 2013.
From Berlin and Dusseldorf to the world
The offered weekly connecting services from Berlin are being increased compared to Summer 2012 from around 7,600 to around 11,000 and from Dusseldorf from around 3,000 to around 4,050 weekly services, At the start of 2013, airberlin added five new non-stop connections from Berlin into their flight schedule. In addition there are four new connections to the European capitals of Madrid, Bucharest, Warsaw and Sofia as well as the new non-stop connection to the USA’s trade and logistics’ centre of Chicago.
In addition, the frequencies for the key routes were increased, such as those to Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. As such, airberlin is continuing to strengthen its hub in the capital city. In summer 2013, airberlin is flying from Berlin to 65 direct destinations.
With 46 percent of the market share in Berlin-Tegel, the airline is the clear market leader.
The airberlin hub in Dusseldorf is increasing in significance with a strengthened expansion of frequency to destinations in Europe and the USA. In summer 2013, flight guests from Dusseldorf can select from more than 70 direct connections on airberlin.
As a market leader in Palma de Mallorca, airberlin will be expanding the routes between Mallorca and the core markets Germany, Austria and Switzerland. airberlin is flying in summer 2013 from 22 destinations in Germany, five in Austria, and two in Switzerland to Mallorca. Overall, for summer 2013 there are around 500 weekly connections from Germany, Austria and Switzerland to the popular holiday island.
En route globally with Etihad Airways and oneworld partners
Through the strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, airberlin guests have an additional 31 code share routes available via the hub in Abu Dhabi. From there, they can continue on to destinations in Asia, the Mideast, Australia and Africa. New additions for 2013 include increased flights to Colombo, Tokyo and Brisbane as well as new connections to Ho Chi Minh City.
In the future, airberlin will increasingly draw on the network synergies with strategic partner Etihad Airways and the oneworld airlines and thereby further maximise the potential of the partnership. On 20 March, airberlin celebrated its first year as a member of the oneworld alliance. The intensified cooperation with Etihad Airways, oneworld and other partners is a central building block for positioning the airberlin network to meet the challenges of the future. Currently, airberlin has code share agreements with 14 airline partners around the world.
airberlin invests in improved service and greater travelling comfort
So that their flight guests can enjoy a maximum of convenience and service, Germany’s second largest airline has continually improved its product. As part of this, airberlin recently introduced a new Business Class. The new cabin configuration with 19 seats offers flight guests even more privacy as well as direct access from every spot to the aisle.
The majority of spots additionally offer individual seating. A full-flat function quickly transforms the new seats into a comfortable sleeping configuration and guarantees a relaxing flight. In addition, a massage function is offered. An individual in-flight entertainment system with 15-inch monitors provides entertainment on board for every seat. More than 200 hours of entertainment is available to choose from, with current film highlights, TV series, music, games and a USB interface.
The new Business Class on Germany’s second-largest airlines offers not only an excellent product, but also guarantees a seamless travel experience with its partner Etihad Airways and the members of theoneworld alliance. With the introduction of the new airberlin Business Class, airberlin guests are able to enjoy a new amenity kit. With high-quality products from renowned brands such as Rituals, L’Occitane and Institut Karité, the amenity kit ensures a comfortable flying experience.
The new seats in Economy Class, equipped with an anti-thrombosis version and an individually adjustable headrest, have been ensuring improved seating comfort since the beginning of 2012. In addition, a new in-seat entertainment system in Economy Class offers individual entertainment at the highest level. Every seat is equipped with a monitor with which the guest can select an individual entertainment program from among an extensive selection. airberlin has a new surprise in store in 2013 for younger guests, too. The popular children’s toy is available on board in a new edition starting in spring at no charge.
Press contact
Uwe Berlinghoff
Phone: +49 (0)30 3434 1500
Fax: +49 (0)30 3434 1509
abpresse@airberlin.com