airberlin to Milan-Linate + Lounge Hopping in Tegel

[Airfurt]

I think its time for some good stories about my favorite airline - airberlin - during this hard times:

Pictures: http://www.robisintheair.de/airberli...class-mailand/


It's the 21st of July and my wife's birthday. We just left our daughter at Grandma and we are on the way to Berlin Tegel Airport. Today I am taking her to Milan by airberlin. But before we get into the plane at around 5pm, we will visit two lounges, which can be visited as a frequent flyer from airberlin at Tegel Airport.

Small lounge hopping at Tegel Airport

Our first stop is the Airfrance Lounge on the 2nd floor in Terminal A. I really like the lounge. The staff is friendly, the little snacks to eat are quite good and there is always an iced cold crémant to drink :-). You also have a nice view over the apron and it is pleasantly quiet today (I had also other times here). After my wife and I have touched glasses on the upcoming, childless weekend, I am joined by a glass of Gin Tonic. Finally, a few Viennese with Dijon mustard and continue to the so called "Hardware Store" - the terminal C. The probably most terrible place, from which one you can fly away. It is dark, loud, undressed and somehow grubby.

To my surprise, the security check was very fast and we can go straight into the new "World Citizen Lounge". This is spread over two floors, with ground floor and first floor being relatively identical. There is a bar area with small snacks and drinks and various seating options. Downstairs, it is rather "lounger" above rather more open. It is interesting however on the last floor, because there is the rooftop terrace - and I is soo cool! We took place at the lounge seats to enjoy the view (I probably a little more than my wife) and a cool beer before heading to our airberlin flight to Milan.

airberlin to Milan

We have to force one's way from the lounge to the gate, it is hopelessly overcrowded. Hardly imaginable if you have not seen it with your own eyes. The boarding begins with delay, but we are witnessing an abduction ... A horde of women abducts her girlfriend and future bride on a hen party farewell to Milan. She is already wearing the veil and her eyes are covered with a sleeping mask.

She is escorted by two friends, on the way to the plane - a really funny idea :-). The best thing though was that the entire crew had played from beginning to end. Since the name "airline with heart" gets again a very special meaning. At all, the crew was just great, always with a good saying in stock, flying is great fun likes this way!

The flight time from Berlin to Milan is slightly longer than to Munich. Unfortunately, it is very cloudy and you can only catch a glimpse of the Alps. When the flight attendants go through the aisle with their trolley and we buy a small snack. The sandwich with soft drinks costs 7.50 € and tastes well. As we crossed the Alps, the Airbus makes its way through the thick clouds and fires individual thunderstorms.

We reach Milan Linate on an apron position and picked up by the bus. The crew did not reveal the name of the destination, but only: "Welcome to point, point, point ...", simply strong. Now you can take the bus to the terminal and from there take the line 73 to the city center. The next two nights we spend at the Four Points by Sheraton.

Thank you for flying with me
What are your experiences with airberlin?

[jb1]

I am happy you had a better experience than my trips with Air Berlin.
2 out 3 trips have been disastrous.
Once on my way from Oslo to Salzburg delays occured, baggage was lost and they didn't bother to compensate and ruined days of skiing. They did offer compensation in form of vouchers. I made use of them for a trip to the Azores. They managed to fail to load my luggage onto my connecting flight even with an overnight stay between flights and a delay of a couple of hours. The luggage arrived after a day or two.

It is a pity how a large country like Germany doesn't have a major second airline anymore, but they failed to impress when I was a passenger.