Air Berlin: Bilbao to Lisbon

The carrier: Air Berlin

About

Air Berlin is one of the big two German low-cost carriers and is Germany’s second largest airline after Lufthansa. Air Berlin flies out of 20 airports in Germany to destinations across Europe. In light of its size, Air Berlin is one of the most important low-cost carriers in Europe. It's especially good for getting to and from Germany.

Air Berlin offers quite a few perks that other low-cost airlines do not. First off, it doles out complimentary snacks and drinks on flights, a practice that is close to unheard of in the low-cost world, as well as free newspapers and seat assignments. The airline also runs a frequent flyer program and offers connecting flights as single fares, fully guaranteeing that luggage will make the connection. The airline tends to fly to primary airports and fills up with far more business travelers than your average airline.

Upside

Flying with Air Berlin is, on the whole, a pleasant experience. Excellent meal service.

Downside

Airline mostly functions on a north-south axis linking Germany to the Mediterranean.

Baggage

* Carry-on: One item up to 6 kg, excluding laptop (8kg including laptop).
* Checked: Up to 20 kg for economy class and 30kg for business class.  If over 20 kg, unless otherwise noted, €10 for each additional kg. The rate increases to €25 per kg if you are flying 3,000 miles or more.  Different allowance for passengers going to the US and Canada.

* Please visit Air Berlin’s website for more information on its baggage policy.

Seating

You may select seats online at time of booking. In addition, you can check in online for most flights. Seat reservations cost €10-15. An extra large seat will cost €20 (€60 for a long-haul flight). Seat reservations are free for families with infants.

Check-in and Ticketing

Online check-in is available for anyone with a valid e-ticket.  Most routes allow online check-in from 30 hours in advance to 2 hours prior to departure.  Passengers with checked luggage are also allowed to check-in online.

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Departure: Bilbao, Spain (BIO)

Bilbao Airport is the most important airport of the Basque Country and northern Spain and is known for its new main terminal which opened in 2000, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Location: Bilbao Airport is located 5 km north of Bilbao, in the municipality of Loiu, in Spain. Transport: - Bus: The two bus companies that serve Bilbao airport are BizkaiBus and Pesa. For detailed information on specific fares, schedules, and routes consult their official websites. - Taxi: Taxis are available at the taxi rank located outside arrivals. The journey into the Bilbao city center should be about 15 minutes (approximately €20). Service: The Bilbao Airport has three information points for travelers. There are also several shops, restaurants and banks located within the airport. more...

Arrival: Lisbon, Portugal - Lisboa (LIS)

As the most important airport in Portugal, Lisbon Airport is served by almost 70 commercial and charter airlines. Among low-cost carriers, easyJet flies the most routes in and out of Lisbon. It is currently undergoing a major renovation. Transportation: The AeroBus, which costs €3.10 per journey, takes 20 minutes to travel between the airport and central Lisbon. Public buses, which cost just €1.30 for the journey into central Lisbon, take 15-20 minutes. more...