Helsinki Flyer

27.7.2010 14:30:00 - OMX Helsinki, News
Finnair Plc Investor News Finnair and Air Berlin to cooperate in Europe-Asia traffic
The oneworld airline alliance and Air Berlin, Germany's second largest airline,
have agreed that the airline will become a member of the alliance. Air Berlin
is expected to join the alliance at the beginning of 2012. At the same time
Finnair and Air Berlin also agreed on bilateral cooperation.

Finnair and Air Berlin begin a code-share cooperation in November 2010, within
which the companies plan to cooperate commercially in traffic between Germany
and Finland, and later in Finnair's Asian traffic. At the same time, the
companies also plan to cooperate in terms of their frequent-flyer programmes.

"For Finnair, cooperation with Air Berlin will provide a stronger foothold in
Central Europe, which will support Finnair's Asian strategy significantly,"
says Finnair's President & CEO Mika Vehviläinen.

"Air Berlin's network covers the area of Europe with the highest purchasing
power. Cooperation will lead to numerous new, fast connections from
German-speaking Central Europe via Helsinki to Asia. We will provide for
business passengers a competitive alternative, which will boost our corporate
sales in an important market," says Vehviläinen.

For Finnair's Finnish customers, closer cooperation with Air Berlin will also
open up new destinations in both German-speaking Europe and the Mediterranean
area.

Finnair Plc
Communications
27.7.2010

lemieux66

I´m not familar with the Finnair´s network.
Any idea how this cooperation could expect Air Berlin customer´s Asian destination choices?

KIXJNB

Finnair's focus of expansion has been East Asia for a while. They have a very comprehensive network to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya - better than BA, same as LH). They also fly to Seoul, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.

Helsinki Flyer

And HEL is in the right direction when flyig to East-Asia from Central/Western/Southern Europe. Look at great circle mapper.

TXL-HEL-PEK is 4627 miles.

http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=TXL-hel-PEK

TXL-ZRH-PEK is 5376 miles.

http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=TXL-ZRH-PEK

TXL-LHR-PEK is 5670 miles.

http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=TXL-LHR-PEK

hazinheira

http://www.airberlin.com/site/landin...eworld_EN.html

berlinflyer83

Has anyone seen information about when they'll officially be a OW member?

Kingfisher has already joined, and AB was saying beginning of 2012. Haven't seen any more news or information.

I would've expected to see some signs of change...maybe new signage at the airports, or them introducing a new level of topbonus? Will they have an equivalent of emerald?

Himeno

Kingfisher hasn't joined yet. They do on Feb 10.
Air Berlin joining OW is stated as "Early 2012", not beginning. "Early" could be anything before May. The last news we had about Air Berlin was on November 2 and that was mostly an update and release of an advertising campaign about their joining the alliance.
It is believed, though by no means confirmed, that Air Berlin will join OneWorld on June 3, when the new BER airport opens.


If they don't created a third elite tier, then they'll likely do what BA did. Not have Ruby.
topbonus Classic would be nothing, topbonus Silver would be OW Sapphire and topbonus Gold would be OW Emerald.

the810

If Silver becomes Sapphire, it will be rather easy Sapphire.

WilcoRoger

airberlin and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will integrate their frequent flyer programs from January 15, 2012, as they roll out their recent partnership."

http://www.airberlin.com/site/pressn...=3567&LANG=eng

the810

Your link doesn't work. Try this: http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/E...wsListing=true

I don't think this should be problem with OW. CSA works with Etihad too and they are still in SkyTeam

Please note that Etihad owns share in airberlin.

Monty_GER

I asked the AB facebook team a couple of weeks ago and they told me that it is still scheduled for april 2012.

Since they are working on ther IT at the moment to fit into the OW system I am optimistic that april could work.

S.

the810

I wonder how they gonna handle lounges. They got their own at 3 airports in Germany, but what about other airports? Just third-party lounges?

I'm especially interested what will happen with VIE base - I suspect that once Skylink will be opened they move more flights to jetbridge gates (so less flights from B gates) and perhaps take over some premises which are now used as OS lounges (which will be moving to Skylink terminal)?

Monty_GER

It is unlikely that the start to establish own lounges everywhere soon. The easiest and most flexible way is to relay on 3rd party lounges and on the lounges of other OW Airlines.

But if they really want to attract premium costumers there will be no alternative as to rise the number of AB branded lounges within the next years. (maybe OW does require them to do that)

S.

berlinflyer83

AA partners with Etihad, so it's certainly not a problem for OW.

WilcoRoger

"partnering" is a lot less than "integrating" - as in "Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and airberlin will integrate their frequent flyer programs from January 15, 2012, as part of the rollout of their recent partnership."

As I read it, Etihad and airberlin will have one FFP - just like LH and LX have.