AB to introduce Business Class on European flights
Oct 27, 2016, 4:30 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Bonn, Germany
Programs: TK Elite, LH FTL
Posts: 647
Yes, I saw that press release as well. I flew to TXL-ARN-TXL this week and business class had one passenger each way (I sat in row two, so I should know). Outbound, he might have connected from an overseas flight, but on the return he was connecting to DUS. I did notice that the crew went out of her way to take care of him, even shaking his hand upon deplaning. But they have precious little to work with, given the BOB menu.
Oct 28, 2016, 10:34 am
#32
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Zurich
Programs: BA GGL, TK*G EL, KL P ELPL, ex AB P, ex LH/LX Sen, HHonors D4L, Bonvoy P
Posts: 1,647
So for ZRH 4 seats in J is definitely not enough, BA often has 8-10 rows (although they are probably having more transfer pax).Btw, shorthaul J cannot be booked as an award (only combined with long haul).
Last edited by swiss_global; Oct 28, 2016 at 10:43 am
Nov 6, 2016, 2:08 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ZRH / SIN
Programs: FB Ulti, QR-Gold (OWS), TK *Gold, Bonvoy Ambassadort Elite, GHA Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 531
sooner or later the plan is to spin off the leisure traffic, so the European Business Class will be reduced to the Hub traffic in and out of DUS/TXL and probably some domestic routes.
Nov 6, 2016, 12:57 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Bonn, Germany
Programs: TK Elite, LH FTL
Posts: 647
I don't think this is quite clear yet, they might well keep some of the leisure routes from the hubs. It is also not clear what precisely the relationship between the new leisure group and the mainline AB will be.
Nov 11, 2016, 6:47 am
#38
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Berlin, TXL
Programs: OW Emerald, *A gold, Skyteam elite plus, Hilton gold, SPG gold
Posts: 339
it depends of the flight destination, e.g AB 3888 TXL-LPA has 6 bunisess class seats
Last edited by RolfD; Nov 12, 2016 at 4:35 pm
Nov 12, 2016, 6:43 am
#40
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: ALC, MAD, Germany, Europe
Programs: AB topbonus Gold, IB+
Posts: 32
I have booked a seat in business class. Rows 1 and 2 were available on the right side and 1 on the left side. I always choose second row because I use several things during the flight and I have to store all of them if I am seating in row 1.
Nov 12, 2016, 4:34 pm
#41
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Berlin, TXL
Programs: OW Emerald, *A gold, Skyteam elite plus, Hilton gold, SPG gold
Posts: 339
A strange conversation with a cabin crew member on last night's TXL-VIE flight. While he was handing out the sandwiches I said to him that this will be stopping soon, won't it? He looked puzzled, so I repeated the question and he said 'NO'. What I didn't understand is whether he meant that they won't be stopping the sandwiches or that there will be no sandwiches!
Are they definitely being axed?
Are they definitely being axed?
Nov 14, 2016, 3:23 pm
#42
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: ALC, MAD, Germany, Europe
Programs: AB topbonus Gold, IB+
Posts: 32
Not a really pleasant experience.
I have already flown in business class and I did not like the experience. As I said in a previous post, I booked a seat in the second row. When I was boarding I was informed they changed my seat from 2a to 1a. I asked for an explanation and they told me the flight was full and 1st row was more spacious. I did not feel like to argue so I took the seat. The crew stored all my stuff in the overhead compartments of two rows behind me because the stowage space above my row was occupied by staff stuff. And I had to take it after takeoff, the crew did not help. Only first row was available for business class as indicated in the headrest. They offered me a welcome drink before takeoff and a warm towel to wash my hands, and everything from the menu during the flight plus more beverages. I chose two snacks and main dish and they were lacking of both snacks. There was a pillow in the three seats. The middle seat is free, so I do not understand why three pillows, maybe to have less space. The tray table as you know is smaller and seats are separated by them folded so it is still less confortable. One positive thing is that my luggage was third in the belt so I did not have to wait as usually do even having the priority tag, maybe it was a coincidence. I did not enjoy the experience for the price I paid.
Last edited by spanishflyer; Nov 15, 2016 at 12:17 pm
Nov 16, 2016, 12:33 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
Is it possible to upgrade using miles or by bidding for an upgrade on narrow-body flights? (specifically TXL-TLV would be of interest)
Nov 16, 2016, 1:36 pm
#44
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ZRH / SIN
Programs: FB Ulti, QR-Gold (OWS), TK *Gold, Bonvoy Ambassadort Elite, GHA Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 531
in case they mean Israel is in Europe, then that would be 18.500 miles for an ad hoc upgrade at the airport: (Eco light is not allowed, so minimum Eco Classic)
https://topbonus.airberlin.com/we/tb...e?locale=en_DE
Bidding is not (yet) available.
https://topbonus.airberlin.com/we/tb...e?locale=en_DE
Bidding is not (yet) available.
Nov 17, 2016, 12:34 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,609
They're allowing bidding for a free seat next to you, which I just wouldn't bother with for such short flights. Had it on all my flights recently. I was happy enough to pay 9 Euros for a seat reservation for my partner who was on one of the flights. Was also happy enough to pay for a snack and a craft beer, after all, the flights are ridiculously cheap at the moment.
