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As part of extending the flight services offered, particularly to the United Arab Emirates and North America, Air Berlin already began enhancing the level of comfort on board its A330-200 long-haul fleet at the start of this year. In ‘Economy Class’, new seats equipped with anti-thrombosis cushions and individually adjustable head rests offer improved comfort. In ‘Business Class’, customers can expect fully automatic reclining seats which provide improved comfort whether passengers are sitting or lying down.

Starting today, Air Berlin will connect the German capital Berlin with the American city of Los Angeles on the west coast of the United States. The summer schedule features 3 weekly flights with an Airbus 330-200 from Berlin towards Hollywood. The inaugural flight was celebrated this morning in Terminal B at Berlin-Tegel.

source: rustourismnews.com

Airberlin is planning to install Etihad‘s popular fully flat business class beds in all its long-distance planes, which means a more comfortable sleep, direct aisle access and better privacy.

The airline, which is partner to both Qantas and Etihad, hopes that superior seats will woo business travellers onto its Germany-bound flights.

Germany’s second largest airline, Air Berlin, has reported worse-than-expected losses for 2011 as it continues its efforts to downsize.

The budget carrier reported a net loss of 271.8m euros ($322m; £205m) for the year to 31 December 2011. It made a loss of 97.2m euros in 2010.

Air Berlin blamed the weather, strikes, rising fuel costs, the Arab spring and a new tax for its poor performance.

source: bbc.co.uk

Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi and Air Berlin, Germany’s second-largest airline, announced a strategic partnership Monday that will see Etihad become Air Berlin‘s largest shareholder and gain access to new European routes as it seeks to keep pace with its larger Gulf-based rival, Emirates.

Under the terms of the agreement, Etihad will increase an existing 3 percent stake in Air Berlin to just over 29 percent through the purchase €73 million, or $95 million, in new shares while providing up to $255 million in loans to finance new jet purchases.

source: NY Times.com

Germanwings Chief Executive Officer Thomas Winkelmann plans to take over some of Air Berlin routes from the Cologne/Bonn airport.

Air Berlin, Germany’s second-biggest airline, said Aug. 18 it will cancel unprofitable routes, reduce flight frequencies and partially withdraw from regional airports to focus on its four main hubs.

source: bloomberg.com

The veteran chief executive of Air Berlin has resigned after launching a sweeping package of cuts to routes and its fleet aimed at ensuring future profitability.

Mr Hunold’s departure highlighted the turmoil hitting European airlines, which have struggled to produce profits amid fierce competition and setbacks including Japan’s earthquake, unrest in the Middle East and north Africa and disruption caused by an Icelandic volcano.

source: FT.com

In future, Air Berlin and Iberia are offering selected flights under joint flight numbers.

The connection possibilities from and to Madrid will improve for Air Berlin passengers as a result of the agreement. Iberia in turn will benefit from the extensive domestic route network and the good connections to destinations in Germany and Scandinavia via the Air Berlin hub in Berlin.

In a further step, plans are underway to expand the codeshare agreement to the frequent flyer programs of both airlines, Air Berlin‘s topbonus as well as Iberia’s plus.

source: the FINANTIAL

British Airways and Air Berlin will start codesharing on around 40 flights from early July.

BA customers can buy direct Air Berlin flights to Nuremburg, Munster and Paderborn through ba.com.

In addition, customers can use ba.com to book connecting flights on selcted routes from airberlin’s network,  including main German gateways and other destinations such as Palermo and Brindisi.

Airberlin will join Oneworld in April 2012. Its entry is sponsored by BA.

source: abtn.co.uk

Air Berlin expects to start flying as part of the Oneworld alliance of airlines in early 2012 in a move analysts said would bolster its position against German flagship carrier Lufthansa.

In a first step, Air Berlin has entered code-sharing agreements with Oneworld members American Airlines and Finnair. Bilateral agreements with British Airways and Iberia will follow.

Joining the Oneworld alliance would allow Air Berlin to share pricing, scheduling and other information within the alliance.

source: Reuters