Airberlin Bankrupt : Etihad Airways Issues A Statement. Flights Will Continue On Current Schedule.

Air Berlin, Germany’s second-largest carrier, has filed for bankruptcy today. This came after Etihad Airways announced all financial support.

The airline, which has accumulated debt for almost a decade, reported a record loss of 782m euros in 2016.

Flights will continue to operate thanks to a transitional loan of 150m euros from the German government.

It means: All flights from airberlin and NIKI are operating and the current flight schedule as well as booked flights are valid. airberlin and NIKI are continuing to accept future bookings.

Negotiations between airberlin and Lufthansa among others are continuing and are expected to finalize.

Air Berlin CEO Thomas Winkelmann said: “We’re working hard on this situation to do what is the best for the company, our clients.

 In the meantime UAE based Etihad Airways issued a statement:

“We have been informed that airberlin has filed for administration.

“This development is extremely disappointing for all parties, especially as Etihad has provided extensive support to airberlin for its previous liquidity challenges and restructuring efforts over the past six years.

“In April this year, Etihad provided EUR 250 million of additional funding to airberlin as well as supporting the airline to explore strategic options for the business. However, airberlin’s business has deteriorated at an unprecedented pace, preventing it from overcoming its significant challenges and from implementing alternative strategic solutions.

“Under these circumstances, as a minority shareholder, Etihad cannot offer funding that would further increase our financial exposure. We remain open to helping find a commercially viable solution for all parties.

“We expect airberlin operations to continue during administration. We have a commercial relationship with airberlin across a range of areas, including codeshare operations, and we will support airberlin’s management during these difficult times.

“Germany is an important market for Etihad and Abu Dhabi, and we remain committed to providing comprehensive air links as a key enabler of trade and tourism.

Airberlin Launches New Service To San Francisco From Berlin-Tegel

Airberlin has added its new non-stop connection from Berlin-Tegel to San Francisco. Flight AB7396 took off at 9:40 am with about 200 passengers and 12 crew members on board. It is scheduled to land after about 12 hours in the air at 11:55 am local time at the San Francisco International Airport. airberlin now offers four connections per week between the capital of Germany and the California metropolis, whose trademarks include the Golden Gate Bridge and the historic cable cars.

“Alongside Los Angeles and Orlando, San Francisco is the third of the three new routes to the United States we are launching this summer, completing our long-haul expansion strategy. We are the largest provider of long-haul flights in Berlin and Dusseldorf and continue to strengthen our position,” said airberlin CEO Thomas Winkelmann.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Engelbert Lütke Daldrup, CEO of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH, Engelbert Lütke Daldrup, Chairman of the Management Board of Berlin Brandenburg GmbH Airport: “airberlin has today launched its second long-haul service from Berlin-Tegel to San Francisco on the US West Coast and its fifth to the US overall. The Pacific Coast city – not far from Silicon Valley – is not only an attractive, diverse destination for tourists visiting the US, but also an important destination for business travelers. We wish airberlin every success with the new route and excellent capacity utilization.”

All airberlin flights to the United States will be operated by long-haul A330-200 jets. Each of the aircraft is equipped with a Business Class that includes 19 FullFlat Seats. Passengers in the Business Class will enjoy exclusive service as well as a selection of premium food and drinks. airberlin also places great emphasis on maximum comfort in Economy Class as well. airberlin’s passengers sitting in one of the 46 XL Seats benefit from 20 per cent more legroom and thus the largest seat pitch on transatlantic flights compared to other airlines.

5 Reasons To Visit Berlin In 2017.

New concert halls, museum opening, urban garden show and ease of travel with new nonstop flights are just some more reasons put Berlin on your 2017 travel list. “Been there, done that” is no concept for Berlin. This year, the city again offers new attractions, highlights, and an ever-expanding cultural scene that adds to the must-do experiences and warrants another, deeper visit in 2017. Berlin in Bloom: International Garden Show (IGA)  April 13 – October 15, 2017  Three seasons of urban green, floral displays and international landscape design will be presented at Berlin’s Marzahn-Hellersdorf district during the city’s first International Garden Show (IGA). Designed by renowned landscape architects, the IGA’s horticultural art will embrace a host of styles ranging from garden classics to innovative landscape design, including Gardens of the World, tropical hot-house displays, acres of perennials and annuals, a rose garden, and regional classics. The natural landscape of the local Wuhle river valley is incorporated in the design.  To complement the horticultural experience, IGA will feature a cable car above the exhibitions grounds, a new visitors’ center as well as an arena seating 5000. The packed calendar of some 2500+ special events includes nine park festivals, sport- and music events as well as educational programs. Accessible by public transportation. General information at www.iga-berlin-2017.de.  Gehry/Toyota-designed Pierre Boulez Hall to open at new Barenboim-Said Academy  March 4, 2017  The heart and public face of the recently opened Barenboim-Said Academy, Berlin’s newest concert hall is housed in the former storage building of the Staatsoper. The Frank Gehry and acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota-designed Pierre Boulez Saalprovides up to 682 spectators with extraordinary perspectives and an intimate music experience.  The brainchild of the general Music Director of the Berlin State Opera, Daniel Barenboim, and the Palestinian-American academic Edward W. Said, the fully accredited academy will serve as an intercultural space, where young musicians from Israel and Middle Eastern countries find common ground for making music and communication. The philosophy is a reflection of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which consists of young Israeli and Arab musicians, as well as the belief that musical education must be enriched by a deep knowledge of the humanities.  Leading international soloists and ensembles will regularly be guests at the Pierre Boulez Hall. It is also the home of the new Boulez Ensemble, recruited mostly from members of the Berlin Staatskapelle. Re-opening of the Staatsoper unter den Linden  October 3, 2017  Completing a seven-year, Euro 296 million renovation, Berlin’s famed Staatsoper unter den Linden concert hall is scheduled to reopen on October 3, 2017. A dedicated historic monument, the concert hall’s exterior appearance remains the same; however, structural, safety, and acoustic improvements throughout the building now elevate the venue to the ranks of internationally renowned opera houses. Built in 1743 in the Prussian classicist style, the Staatsoper has a long history of hosting significant musical premieres. General music director Daniel Barenboim and the Berlin Staatskapelle orchestra, renowned guest conductors and an ensemble of first-rate singers, promise performances of the highest musical quality.  The festive opening concert will be broadcast live on the adjacent Bebelplatz square.  Art Museum Barberini now open in Potsdam  January 23, 2017  Housed in a 1771 palace of Frederick the Great, Potsdam’s new Museum Barberini opens with two exhibitions that are distinguished by their connection to each other: Impressionism: The Art of Landscape, and Modern Art Classics: Liebermann, Munch, Nolde, Kandinsky.  Destroyed during the Second World War, the palace was reconstructed by the non-profit Museum Barberini groups with the support of the Hasso Plattner Foundation. In its 17 galleries, the Museum Barberini will feature changing collections ranging from Old Masters to works from the 21st century. The permanent collection’s focus will be on Impressionism, American modern art, art from the former East Germany, and painting after 1989. The building also houses a shop, a café & restaurant with outdoor seating, as well as an auditorium for readings, concerts and lectures. From Berlin, Potsdam can be reached by public transportation in 45 minutes.  Ease of Travel: Delta, airberlin, Air Canada Rouge offer new nonstop service to Berlin  It will get even easier and more convenient to get to Berlin from the USA and Canada with new nonstop service: In mid April, airberlin will increase its nonstop-service to Berlin to two flights daily from New York’s JFK, as well as increased service from Miami. Starting in May, the German airline will also be offering nonstop service from Los Angeles, as well as San Francisco.  Also in May, Delta will resume flights to Berlin with the launch of nonstop service between JFK and Tegel Airport.  Canadians can look forward to the new Air Canada Rouge nonstop flight from Toronto to Berlin, which will operate four times/week and launch on June 1, 2017. More information on travel to Berlin www.visitBerlin.com.

Airberlin Voted “Best Airline In Europe” And “Best Trans-Atlantic Airline” In The 2015 Global Traveler Tested Awards

 

airberlin, Germany’s second largest airline has received two awards from the readers of Global Traveler for “Best Airline in Europe” and “Best Trans-Atlantic airline” in 2015. In 2014, airberlin ranked second best in these categories.  

airberlin received the awards at a gala on the evening of December 8^th in Beverly Hills, California at the Peninsula Hotel. In attendance were industry leaders from airlines all over the world.  

“We feel honored to receive this award by the readers of Global Traveler. It shows that airberlin is well recognized and accepted by travelers from the United States to and within Europe. The awards urge us to even improve our service and product to remain a good host for our passengers up in the air and on the ground”, said Roberto Cuesta, Vice President the Americas.  

airberlin has consistently improved its service offering on board ensuring a safe and comfortable travel experience for its customers. For example, airberlin now offers 46 XL seats on all trans-Atlantic and long haul flights providing an extra six inches of comfort and space for travelers. Its business class offers world-class cuisine and FullFlat seats providing optimum comfort and privacy with access to the aisle from every seat. In addition, airberlin is expanding its route network to the United States, adding Boston, San Francisco and Dallas/Fort Worth to its flight plan in May 2016. airberlin will fly four times a week from Boston and Dallas/Fort Worth, and five times from San Francisco to Dusseldorf, the airline's main long-haul hub. One additional weekly service from Los Angeles and New York (JFK) to Dusseldorf will also be added. Overall, airberlin will introduce 15 additional weekly flights to and from the USA from next summer, taking the total of flights departing Dusseldorf and Berlin for eight destinations in the United States each week to 58.

About airberlin

airberlin is one of the leading airlines in Europe and flies to 138 destinations worldwide each year. The second largest airline in Germany carried more than 31.7 million passengers in 2014. airberlin offers a global route network through its strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, which has a 29.21% share in airberlin, and through membership of the oneworld^® airline alliance. topbonus, the frequent flyer program of airberlin is one of the leading programs in Europe with more than 4 million members. The airline with the award-winning service operates codeshare flights worldwide with 21 airlines. The fleet is among the most modern and eco-efficient in Europe. Together with other airlines, airberlin belongs to Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand with which Etihad has been uniting shared activities since the end of 2014.

Airberlin Offering Special Holiday Meals And Lower Fares On Black Friday Starting At $499 Round Trip To Berlin Or Dusseldorf From US.

Travelers who spend Thanksgiving on board of one of airberlin’s flights from JFK and Miami to Berlin or Dusseldorf or from Fort Myers to Dusseldorf can choose a traditional Thanksgiving meal above the clouds: To acknowledge the US national holiday, the airberlin crews will serve turkey breast with gravy and dried cranberries, accompanied by green beans and carrots with sliced almonds and cornbread stuffing on the 26th of November.

On the 26^th of November, airberlin will launch a Black Friday promotion offering some of the lowest fare deals of the season for travel to Europe. Fares start from $499 including taxes from New York (JFK) to Dusseldorf or Berlin; or from Chicago to Berlin based on round trip travel. Other fare offerings include Miami to Berlin from $499 as well as, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf or Zurich from $549. The special offer ends December 1st, 2015 with applicable travel period from January 4^th through March 27th, 2016.

In addition, airberlin recently announced new service starting in 2016 from Boston, Dallas and San Francisco to Dusseldorf and is offering special fares for travel periods from May 6th through May 31st/June 15th and August 24th through October 31^st with the Black Friday sale. As Dusseldorf is very well connected with airberlin’s network in Germany and the rest of Europe, travelers can find fares for flights from Boston to Berlin or Vienna starting from $799, from $899 for flights from Dallas to Copenhagen or from San Francisco to Milan from $899 – all for a round trip. Other European cities include Helsinki, Krakow, Salzburg, Rome and many more. The travel period varies depending on the departure city.

airberlin is Germany’s second largest airline and as a member of oneworld^® passengers can accrue and redeem mileage with anyoneworld partner. On board guests will enjoy European-style service with a choice of meals, beverages and over 200 hours of in-flight entertainment.

To book visit airberlin.com, contact the call center at 1-866-266-5588 or a travel agent

Airberlin Welcomes A New Season With “Fall” Fare Specials As Low As $599 Round-Trip To Europe From The US

Fall is here and leaves are dropping as well as fares with airberlin’s sale from now through October 19, 2015. Flights to Europe can be booked from New York for as little as $599 including all fees and taxes for a roundtrip ticket to the Nordic countries as well as from $629 from Chicago to Poland. In addition fares start from $749 from Miami to Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Flights are available from November 1^st, 2015 until March 27^th, 2016 or from March 28^th through April 14, 2016. Fares vary depending on dates of travel and destination.

airberlin offers a wide array of European destinations from its U.S. gateways that include Chicago, Miami and New York. The sale can be booked online at airberlin.com, through the airline’s service center at 1-866-266-5588 or through your travel agent. In addition, as a member of oneworld^® travelers will be able to accrue and redeem mileage with any airberlin oneworld partner such as American Airlines. Certain rules and restrictions apply which can be viewed on airberlin.com.

For more information visit airberlin.com.

About airberlin

airberlin is one of the leading airlines in Europe and flies to 138 destinations worldwide each year. The second largest airline in Germany carried more than 31.7 million passengers in 2014. airberlin offers a global route network through its strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, which has a 29.21% share in airberlin, and through membership of the oneworld^® airline alliance. topbonus, the frequent flyer program of airberlin is one of the leading programs in Europe with more than 3.8 million members. The airline with the award-winning service operates codeshare flights worldwide with 22 airlines. The fleet is among the most modern and eco-efficient in Europe. Together with other airlines, airberlin belongs to Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand with which Etihad has been uniting shared activities since the end of 2014.

Europe Is At Your Doorstep With Airberlin’s “Discover Europe Special” With Rates At Low As $599 Round Trip Including All Fees

“Discover Europe”: With airberlin’s special promotion starting September 17^th valid through September 21^st, flights to Europe can be booked from $599 including all fees and taxes for a roundtrip ticket. Flights are available from November 1^st, 2015 till March 18^th, 2016 and depart from airberlin’s U.S. gateways Chicago, Fort Myers, Miami and New York to various cities in Europe within the airberlin network.

airberlin operates to premier cities throughout Europe that include Berlin, Budapest, Krakow, Milan, Oslo and Zurich just to name a few. The sale can be booked online at airberlin.com, through the airline’s service center at 1-866-266-5588 or through your travel agent. In addition, as a member of oneworld^® travelers will be able to accrue and redeem mileage with any airberlin oneworld partner such as American Airlines. Certain rules and restrictions apply which can be viewed on airberlin.com.

Travelers will enjoy European style service on board that includes cold and hot meals in addition to complimentary beverage service throughout the flight in both economy and business class. On demand entertainment system provides more than 200 hours of continuous movies, television programs, and more to make the hours fly by.  

For more information visit airberlin.com.

About airberlin

airberlin is one of the leading airlines in Europe and flies to 138 destinations worldwide each year. The second largest airline in Germany carried more than 31.7 million passengers in 2014. airberlin offers a global route network through its strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, which has a 29.21% share in airberlin, and through membership of the oneworld^® airline alliance. topbonus, the frequent flyer program of airberlin is one of the leading programs in Europe with more than 3.8 million members. The airline with the award-winning service operates codeshare flights worldwide with 22 airlines. The fleet is among the most modern and eco-efficient in Europe. Together with other airlines, airberlin belongs to Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand with which Etihad has been uniting shared activities since the end of 2014.

Airberlin: Tax Season Provides Relief With Europe Fare Specials Starting At $698 From New York To Copenhagen

  

                                                  

Airberlin, Germany second largest airline, has released new fare specials in both business and economy class just in time for tax filing season.  Economy class fares start from as low as $689* from New York to Copenhagen, $749* from Chicago to Gdansk, Krakow or Warsaw, $799* from Miami to Moscow or $949* from Los Angeles to Vienna or Salzburg for example. Many other exciting destinations are also offered during this sale such as Barcelona, Budapest, Rome and Zurich just to name a few.

The sale starts on April 14^th and runs through April 20^th,2015. The travel period for economy class fares are valid from April 14^th through May 15^th and August 24^th through October 26^th, 2015 for shoulder season and from May 16^th through June 30^th for high season.

In business class travellers will benefit from some of the lowest fares of the season, such as from New York to Moscow from $2,099**, Chicago to Helsinki for $2,599**, Miami to Moscow from $2,699** or Los Angeles to Copenhagen from $3,252**. The applicable travel period for the business class sale is from June 27^th through August 29^th, 2015 from New York, Chicago or Los Angeles and from June 27^th through September 26^th, 2015 from Miami.

To book visit airberlin.com, contact your travel agent or the airberlin service center at 1-866-266-5588.

*Sample roundtrip fares, including taxes, per person, for travel in Economy Class. Fares are listed in U.S. Dollars. Additional booking and baggage fees may apply. Fares may not be available on all flights and dates. airberlin operates seasonal nonstop service from Los Angeles (LAX) to Dusseldorf (DUS) between May 7 and October 31, 2015. Other restrictions may apply. 

**Sample roundtrip fares, including taxes, per person, for travel in Economy Class. Fares are listed in U.S. Dollars. Additional booking and baggage fees may apply. Fares may not be available on all flights and dates. airberlin operates seasonal nonstop service from Los Angeles (LAX) to Dusseldorf (DUS) between May 7 and October 31, 2015. Other restrictions may apply.Sample roundtrip fares, including taxes, per person, for travel in Business Class on long-haul flights. Travel within Europe between Berlin (TXL) or Dusseldorf (DUS) and the final destination is offered in Economy Class. Fares are listed in U.S. Dollars. Additional booking and baggage fees may apply. Fares may not be available on all flights and dates. airberlin operates seasonal nonstop service from Los Angeles (LAX) to Dusseldorf (DUS) between May 7 and October 31, 2015. Other restrictions may apply.