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We recently reported how the struggling Air Berlin Loyalty Program Top Bonus filed for bankruptcy. The unraveling of the airline continues, with reports in the German press that the company will cease long haul flights from Berlin by the end of September. Although no official announcement has been made, the reports are given more credibility by the fact that Reuters has reported that Lufthansa is set to pick up 17 of the airline’s long haul aircraft, and their associated transatlantic routes.
Which Flights Are Affected
Again, we'd still hope for an official statement, but specific dates have been reported on when these routes will end.
- Berlin – Abu Dhabi – October 1, 2017
- Berlin – Chicago – September 30, 2017
- Berlin – Miami – September 25, 2017
- Berlin – New York – September 25, 2017
- Berlin – Los Angeles – October 1, 2017
- Berlin – San Francisco – October 1, 2017
- Düsseldorf – Boston – October 1, 2017
How to deal with the situation if you have a ticket on one of these flights can be a tricky question as the airline hasn't made a statement about the cancellations publicly. However, if you booked with Air Berlin it is highly recommended that you get in touch with the airline to work with them on a solution. If on the other hand, you have booked through one of Air Berlin’s Oneworld partners (e.g., BA or AA), then you should contact your airline and try and work something out with them.
We'd hope that something would be published on the Air Berlin flight information page, but nothing.
Overall
It is never a happy situation when an airline goes under since passengers tend to lose out. If your travel plans are essential, make sure to take independent steps and start scoping out some alternate travel options on top of working it out with the airline.
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Sad. I enjoyed my flight on AB. The discount airlines are always turning air travel in cattle cars. RIP AB
I read that this was going on. Has the airline finally declared bankruptcy? Little by little AB has been canceling things,etc. I wonder if any airline is picking up passengers reservations? It’s sad when a cheap option is lost, just like when a local shop is lost, etc. So is the way of the business world.
Any word on people being able to burn all their miles? Or are all their miles just gone from their accounts?
We haven’t heard anything about anyone redeeming 🙁
Fortunately not having booked my next flight with AB, although the prize was very good.
Still sad when a an airline goes bankrupt.
It seems that also Dusseldorf flights to Caribbean are cancelled from September 25.
In my opinion just a crazy person can still make a booking with them!
Will someone buy this airline?
I’d guess no, but someone would buy their assets.
It’s sad because it’s a cycle, who would have confidence to book a ticket with them now beyond the next week or so, which in turn will ensure they do fail to recover.
Such a shame for them to end. It was a good one world choice for Europe.
There are reports of some status passengers being refused access to lounges at outstations. AB is winding down.
Is this true for both one world lounges and 3:rd party lounges?
It is very sad to seemingly see the end of Air Berlin. I hope that someone will come in at the last moments to save at least part of the company and its name. Unfortunately though that does not seem very likely.
With new discount airlines flying to Europe I am not surprised that this happened!
Oh Air Berlin……. Why do you even have service to LAX from Berlin. Seems a waste to me.
Its a shame they made AB go bankrupt!
RIP Air Berlin…
too bad- direct flights to berlin aren’t too common
Not a surprise.
this is so very sad
Air Berlin ending is probably the ultimate outcome
It’s going to be very interesting to see who picks up the various parts of this business. I imagine it’s not going to be good for competition in that part of the world.
Shame to loose my 60 000 topbonus miles…
It’s so strange to see that airberlin still has an ongoing “Sale” – though no one knows what is going to happen in the future. It’s sad that this situation will be around for at least another week – if not longer.
Paving the way for the regional Lufthansa monopoly…
airberlin’s customer service is non-existent now anyway. terrible airline that needs to be improved.
All my points are gone 🙁
I feel bad for all those who thought they were getting a great “deal” on the winter JFK-Germany flights
I enjoyed my flight on AB last year from ORD to TXL…sad to see AB flights become history.
They had recently announced new routes to Toronto and Chicago, launching in 2018. It’s a shame they are no longer happening as well.
That’s always a danger to airlines specially with all the new budget airlines happening
This is a story that has been repeated many times in the Aviation industry. Sometimes there is no warning at all. I remember when Canada3000 shut down leaving employees and passengers stranded. Although it’s never fun to lose any money, the warning that people have received on this one alows for some mitigation of the loss.
It seems that Air Berlin is keeping long haul routes only from Dusseldorf.
Anyway, in some time all routes should be closed and Air Berlin disappearing completely.
Maybe Lufthansa will take some airplanes and some routes moving them to Eurowings.
Let’s see what happens.
Not surprised, but still sad to hear.