Air Berlin: Vienna to Hannover

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: 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: Hannover, Germany - Hanover Apt (HAJ)

In Brief: Just over 10 km (6 miles) north of Hanover, Hanover's three terminals see plenty of action. TUIfly, Air Berlin, Condor, Flybe, and SunExpress all fly in and out of Hanover. These are the outliers at Hanover, however, where most air links are provided by conventional airlines. Transportation: An S-Bahn connection between the Hanover airport and the city's main train station takes under 20 minutes and costs €2.70. more...