zappingtv

1. AB is a nightmare in general !
2. If you have Problems with AB you get more support on the Facebook Page !
3. This what Americans call "Carry on" is not a Carry on size in Europe !
3. They did not lost your baggage during the flight, most time your lagguage is at the point of departure !
4. Airberlin is only alive thru Ethiad in a normal marked the will be not operating anymore !
5. Yes you have to call call and write them ... they hope you give up one day ! (its like a Game)

fizban

Update about my lost luggage: AB called me about 27 hours after my flight arrived and told me my luggage was found. It was then delivered to the place I am staying at in Berlin about 5 hours later, or 32 hours after I arrived.

I found a TSA notice in my luggage indicating that it was selected for secondary inspection. So it turns out that it was the TSA who took my luggage out of the flow and probably did not return it early enough to make it on the JFK->DUS flight. I have no idea why TSA would choose to inspect my luggage; apparently it passed muster as nothing was removed from it.

I have no idea really now how to contact AB to see about reimbursing me for about $100USD that I had to spend for socks, underwear, etc while waiting for my luggage. I went to the TXL Lost Luggage counter and they didn't have any better contact information for AB other than their general customer service email address. Oy.

seawolf

If your credit card covers with baggage delay insurance, I would inquire with them first. Most likely easier to deal with than AB.

inpd

The TSA inspection (primary and secondary) is not a reason for the bags to get delayed. That's happened to me many times without delay.

There is a thread in this forum on filing EU262(?) forms/complaints and even companies that will do it for you.

seawolf

EC261/2004 does not cover baggage.

bhomburg

general consensus among German FFs is that AB generally is a pain to deal with regarding lost luggage and pretty much the only option to get compensation when they decide to stall out your claim is to hire a legal representative and take them to court in Germany. Once they communicate with a lawyer, they usually react and pay pretty quickly.
The (Berlin) firm mentioned in this thread a few times comes recommended.

Jens Berg

AB lost my stuff twice, every time --i had a transfer connection. But on both events they transferred my stuff to every place I wanted to in the next 24 hours. Perhaps I am a lucky guy...