I don't even worry about any status with them for the reasons:
- I have always use the Preferred Check In (Doing mostly early morning fligts to Stansted in a Suit since it is business and have NEVER had an issue in DUS!)
- Free drink and snack on board
- Free newspaper and Magazines (Bunte, Focus, etc) which I only get in C-Class on LH
- Always had an emergency exit seat or bulkhead row!
- WONDERFUL Check In Staff and Cabin crew
- Prices around € 100,- for same day return flight DUS-STN - LH in Eco is around 600,-!!!!
So basically I love AirBerlin on that route (which is my most often used route with them) and think I am being treated better then with LH!!
However, never tried other routes but can amagine the Tourist-Routes might be very different!