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Air Berlin - The Newest Choice for Premium Transatlantic Service to Europe

By Robert Yost

New York and Dusseldorf, Germany-Air Berlin Group, with their purchase of LTU Airlines, has become a viable, competitive alternative for business class travel to Germany and ports of call throughout Europe. The combination of these two well-established German airlines has resulted in a worthwhile option to be considered when traveling to board a European cruise.

For many years, Air Berlin has provided an extensive network throughout Germany and Europe, with offerings of budget prices on a brand new fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

LTU has been providing charter and premium class service from Germany to North America and Asia for 30 years. The combined carrier now offers a top quality transatlantic business class service with connections throughout Germany and Europe.

Our Air Berlin/LTU business class experience started at JFK Airport’s new Terminal 4. A beautiful facility, which offers dining and shopping, is an immediate advantage for any airline that operates from it. Our efficient check-in was handled by a young agent with genuine interest in us and our travel plans. Our luggage was checked through with priority tags to Milan, one of Air Berlin’s many European destinations.

Air Berlin’s station manager, Jay O’Brien, was on hand overseeing check-in for all passengers and took a moment to personally welcome us and thank us for flying with Air Berlin/LTU. Jay’s long-term experience with a variety of international carriers and JFK is a real advantage for Air Berlin’s operation and eventual growth in North America.

We spent a delightful 2 hours in ‘The Lounge’ in Terminal 4, which is shared by several airlines. The Lounge is host to Air Berlin/LTU business class passengers while they await departure from JFK.

Although a bit compact, the lounge offers comfortable seating, and wonderful views of the airport’s runway operation, along with a selection of snacks and beverages. A server personally welcomed us and provided us menus to select made to order “lite” bites; including a cream cheese, lox and bagel sandwich, butternut squash soup, hummas on toasted pita bread, cheese and crackers, all delivered to us at our table. As our flight left at 5:45 PM, we were unable to enjoy the full dinner service offered by ‘The Lounge.’ We did see the staff setting up for it with white tablecloths, another reminder of the “perks” associated with flying across the Atlantic in business class.

Upon entering the aircraft, we were warmly greeted by the professional, experienced Air Berlin/LTU in-flight crew, most of whom had previously been with LTU for 20 plus years.

The transatlantic Airbus 330/300 was spacious, with comfortable 2-2-2 seating in business class, soon to be replaced by private suites. The efficient crew, lead by Purser Petra Feldkamp, offered champagne, water, and juice and a complete amenity kit, slippers, oversized pillows and blankets followed by the customary pre-departure dinner order.

The food service overall was delicious, with all segments of the meal served at proper temperatures, with a creative wine list including a variety of contemporary white, red and sparkling wines. We especially enjoyed the 2006 “Robert”, a German style white wine produced in France. After cocktails, we enjoyed the smoked salmon starter and followed by a huge caesar. A selection from a bread basket, including wonderful German breads, was offered by the steward. He even suggested a wine tasting, pairing a selection of every wine on the list with the appetizer and main course options. The main course entrees included a Beef Goulash on sauerkraut with traditional glazed German potato dumplings, Lamb in a tomato crust, and my favorite, the steamed filet of sole with white wine sauce and an outstanding prawn risotto.

Meal service was attentive, well executed, and very pleasant. After the typical European cheese and fruit course, we enjoyed a dessert of chocolate mousse cake with raspberry sauce. The morning meal consisted of fruit, a selection of cold cuts, cheese, and another helping of delicious German style breads and croissants.

Individual movie monitors had a variety of recent releases and audio options. The crew consistently walked through the cabin, thoughtfully asking if we would like to be awakened for breakfast. Our connection in Dusseldorf to Air Berlin’s flight to Milan’s third airport, Serro del Orto, near Bergamo was efficient, calm, and a welcome alternative to overcrowded airports like Frankfurt, Heathrow or Charles De Galle. Tip: to avoid going through security again before your connecting flight at DUS, look for the airside connection bus transfer before exiting….we learned the hard way!

The Air Berlin/LTU Business Class Lounge at Dusseldorf is really great! The staff is so welcoming and it is located right near the gates for all their long-haul flights. Comfy seating, all the latest newspapers, magazines and internet access, along with a copious continental breakfast and full bar…in case you are in the mood for a Bloody Mary, make this airline and airport the perfect place to connect.

Air Berlin is Germany’s second largest airline and offers extensive connections throughout Europe. While the airline does not offer a business class service on short haul flights, the connections are convenient and operated with a spanking-new fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Complimentary soft drinks and light snacks are served on board, and in addition, a more substantial meal service is offered for purchase. The meals on the optional for-purchase menu are from the kitchen of Herbert Seckler with accompanying wines from the famous cellar at his well known restaurant, Sansibar on the resort island of Sylt in northern Germany. These satisfying selections may be ordered pre-flight or onboard.

Luggage delivery in Milan was quick and we were on our way in relatively short order. The LTU/Air Berlin flights from JFK to Dusseldorf with continuing service to Milan was one of the best flight experiences in all our years of traveling!

LTU/Air Berlin currently flies from New York, Ft Myers, Miami, and will soon add additional US destinations. For more information, log onto www.airberlin.com.

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