Air Berlin: Vienna to Almeria

The carrier: Air Berlin

Upside
Flying with Air Berlin is, on balance, a pleasant experience. Excellent meal service.

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

About
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, perks that are 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.

Baggage
* Carry-on: One item up to 6 kg.
* Checked: Up to 20 kg (no max bag # specified). If over 20 kg, unless otherwise noted, €5 for each additional kg. €10 per kg if you are flying 3,000 miles or more.

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.
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Departure: Vienna, Austria - Vienna Intl (VIE)

Vienna International Airport, often referred to as Schwechat, the name of the nearby town, is the busiest and biggest airport in Austria.

Location: Vienna International Airport is located 18 kilometers (11 miles) southeast Vienna’s city center.

Transport:

- Rail: Travelers can use the City Airport Train (CAT) to and from the Wien-Mitte station which takes approximately 16 minutes. The S-Bahn trains (Federal Railway System) also offers service to and from the Wien-Mitte and Wien-Nord stations which takes approximately 25 minutes.

- Bus: Bus connections are available to and from the center of Vienna. These routes usually take approximately 25-35 minutes. Also, there are buses available to and from the neighboring towns of Baden and Modling as well as the bordering countries of Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.

- Taxi: Taxis can be found in front of the arrivals hall.

Service: Information monitors and display boards as well as several information desks are available throughout the airport. There are over 70 shops located within Vienna International Airport and the restaurants and cafés are ideal for a pleasant break before boarding or after return.
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Arrival: Almeria, Spain (LEI)

Almería Airport or "Aeropuerto de Almería," has regular international and national flights that arrive and depart daily. The airport is quite modern and also features a terrace that overlooks the runway for the enjoyment of travelers. Various charter companies fly to and from the airport, making it the second most important airport for the tourism industry in Andalucia.

Location: Almeria Airport is 9 km to the east of Almeria, the region's capital city (500 m from the coast).

Transport:

- Bus: The Almería Airport buses pick up travelers from outside the arrivals terminal and offer service to the Almería town center every 50 minutes. The service starts in the early morning and ends at night (schedules will vary on weekends). For the specific schedule and fares consult the bus company's Official Website. Service is also offered with the ALSA bus company for long distance trips.

- Taxi: The Almeria Airport Taxis can be found at the taxi rank outside the arrivals hall. To get to the city center of Almería the fare should be approximately €20. Fares to other surrounding towns will vary. Almería Airport also offers cars for private hire. Often, these private transfers will cost less than a taxi and may reduce the hassle of finding a taxi and haggling the price. Another perk (for you non-Spanish speakers) is that travelers can request an English speaking driver. For more information on private car hires consult the Website.

Service: Almeria Airport is divided into three floors. The departure and arrival activity is concentrated on the ground floor. In the airport there are two information points as well as many shops and restaurants. Travelers are also able to relax and pass time in the rooftop café that can be reached after the security checkpoint. more...