The travel world was already buzzing with rumors: Air Berlin is stopping direct and non-stop flights between Germany and Thailand.
Now that Etihad has taken over a large number of shares, AB's flights will not go beyond Abu Dhabi, Etihad's home port, from 1 April.
It is probably an emergency measure, to try to limit the loss of Air Berlin somewhat. It is remarkable that Air Berlin does report the new stopover on its own website, but not how many hours the transfer takes. It is clear that Etihad takes over the flight to Bangkok from the Gulf State, but sometimes also operates the flight to and from Düsseldorf. It is not clear whether the connection between Abu Dhabi will be maintained with the new Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft in the world. Contrary to what was customary at AB, passengers can no longer reserve a seat online. They should now try this at the departure airport or, if available, at the web check in.
Where last year AB still operated non-stop flights at relatively low prices, in April this is now 850 euros for a flight from Düsseldorf to Bangkok, while the same economy ticket costs almost 1100 euros in September. The flights depart from DUS at 20.20:06.20 PM and those from Bangkok at XNUMX:XNUMX AM in the morning.
I can now think of no reason to fly with Air Berlin compared to other airlines.
The advantages they already had, namely price and departure times, have disappeared. The comfort in the planes of hard seats and little legroom was not something to get into a jubilant mood either.
The flights from Abu Dhabi-Bangkok are with the boeing 777-300 ER and the stopovers, if I calculate them manually, will be about 1,5 hours on the way there and 2,5 hours back.
In itself it is of course a shame, good competition is never gone, and to date, as far as I know, no airline flies directly from Dusseldorf Bangkok anymore.
Then again Eva or China. Shame. Düsseldorf does have a pleasant airport.
The other way is from Brussels with Thai, not cheap but a reasonable service, and what is most important to me: directly, because all those security checks these days are getting pretty boring to me. So just take off your shoes once, take off your belt, take off your jacket, etc. etc.
Now I already have a ticket for bkk to Dussoldorf in June and back has already been booked in December 2011.
Is that going to change, weird, haven't heard anything yet.
I'm flying in June. Just checked Airberlin's checkmytrip. Nothing has been modified yet.
My last direct contact with Airberlin was on March 1st and there were still direct flights there.
I wonder since when this change is official.
We fly to BKK from AMS in May via Dubai with a transfer time of 3 hours in the outward flight and 8 hours in the return flight. Cost price 500 euros. A bargain and for us, older people, the stopover is "healthy" to get some exercise. Emirates is also a good airline.
I think 3 hours is just about doable, but I really can't enjoy much longer. Then rather a slightly higher price for the ticket, paid just under €700 a few years ago with a waiting time of about 3½ hours on the return flight, I think I remember.
I agree that Emirates is a good airline and it was nice to fly the A380 once.
Have read somewhere that Emirates will maintain services with the A380 to and from Schiphol.
Another option is with Jet Airways Brussels-BKK vv, with a stopover in Mumbai or New Dehli. And yes, also with strict controls.
Air Berlin so wanted to be the cheapest.
This idea has been punished. They have to submit to social legislation in Germany. Very high personnel costs.
You can never recoup that then it goes wrong.
Just look at the Thai: Low personnel costs (just ask a flight attendant what she earns) and more expensive tickets.
Air Berlin will have to take a different approach.
I think this is pretty crappy from Air Berlin. So from now on to Brussels.
No more AirBerlin for me either. Flown with them 6 times. I think it's a shame. Venlo to Dusseldorf is only half an hour. Fly now with Eva Air.
Don't the flights from Brussels with JETAIR stop from April 1? Then there is EVEN less to choose 🙁