• Reviews
    • Airlines
    • Trips
    • Hotels
  • Credit Cards
    • Personal Cards
    • Business Cards
  • About Miles/Contact
  • Disclosures/Privacy
  • Book

Monkey Miles

  • Reviews
    • Airlines
    • Trips
    • Hotels
  • Credit Cards
    • Personal Cards
    • Business Cards
  • About Miles/Contact
  • Disclosures/Privacy
  • Book
Home » Reviews » Air Berlin Business Class Review: San Francisco to Dusseldorf
Reviews

Air Berlin Business Class Review: San Francisco to Dusseldorf

Miles July 31, 2016 Air Berlin, American Airlines, Business Class 14 Comments

We may receive a commission when you use our links. Monkey Miles has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Monkey Miles and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Monkey Miles is also a Senior Advisor to Bilt Rewards Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Air Berlin Business Class Review: San Francisco to Dusseldorf

This is part of the London Weekend Wedding Trip. I needed to get to London for a wedding this weekend and finagled a routing through San Fran. For 57,500 AA miles and roughly $85 I booked LAX-SFO-DUS-LHR in business class. When I initially booked the itinerary the only avail had me traveling all in one day with a layover in San Fran over 12 hours. I went ahead and booked it and waited for alternate flight to open up. One did, the night before, and I snagged it. AA allows you the change tickets without cost ( aside from taxes and fees) if you abide by their routing rules. Since I would only be staying in San Fran for 20 hours before continuing on to Dusseldorf I was ok…you must be under 24 hours to be on the same priced ticket. Yes, it was a long routing, but it ticked off a couple of boxes: 1) I really wanted to experience Air Berlin Business Class and 2) I’d get to review the newly renovated Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport. Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 5 of 68

The Deets on Air Berlin Business Class SFO-DUS:

  • When: July 29, 2016
  • Route: SFO-DUS
  • Plane: A330
  • Duration:10 hours 45 mins
  • Class: Business Class
  • Seat: 4K
  • Program: AA
  • Miles Used: 57,500
  • Copay: ~$85

Check in: Easy Peasy nice and breezy

IMG_3689

No one was there. Literally only the desk agents. Air Berlin launched this routing in Mid May so it’s pretty new. I wasn’t checking any bags so I think the whole process took about 3 minutes. Air Berlin flies out of International Terminal A. There are actually two sides to the terminal so make sure you go to the right side. I was also informed that they had a relationship established with the KLM/Air France lounge. That lounge is actually a Priority Pass lounge and I had seen that there were 3 One World lounges as well: Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and British Airways. I headed straight to Japan Air. Rejected. What?! Apparently they aren’t accommodating Air Berlin passengers. So then I went to Cathay…had I not been One World Sapphire they would have rejected me too! WHAT?! So I swung by KLM/AirFrance…SO Packed I left and had to try my luck at BA…rejected. I had so much time on my hands I actually trekked over the Terminal 3 and tried out the Centurion Lounge. Of all of them…I prefer Cathay. I had really hoped to get into Japan Airlines because I was craving sushi, but what can you do…the door guys said I wasn’t on the list.

Boarding: HOLY FLIPPING SCHMOLEY

Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 3 of 68

The last time I boarded through such a palava was in Bangkok where I thought I’d lose an eye trying to get in line. EVERYONE just bumrushed the boarding line when they called priority. Now I may not be German, but even I knew all these frauleins couldn’t possibly be priority. Excuse me, Excuse me, Excuse Meeeeyyyyyyyy. Finallly got through. On to the plane…

The Cabin:

Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 10 of 68Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 58 of 68

I was kind of expecting it to resemble Etihad’s Pearl business class, and it kind of does ,except it feels waaaaaaay more cramped. I’d picked 4k because of the privacy, but after seeing the cabin I had to say that the first row window seats are by far the best. They not only have the privacy but also far more room. I’d read where the biggest complaint is space and I can absolutely see why. Miles and I could BARELY move around with our bags down the aisle. And getting in and out of the seat was a delicate dance of balance and ingenuity.

The Seat:

Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 7 of 68 Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 9 of 68

Continuing with the cramped theme. It’s cramped. Just getting in and out it’s cramped. 4k has a little entry way to get to the seat. I picked this seat because it would be private, but the entry way to the seat is so narrow I had to turn sideways to get in and out. Look, I’m still going to lie flat and have a great time, but I’m just explaining this for comparison’s sake. It was the first time I had to contort myself all over the place to snap pics. Miles is so selfish he just laid there while I moaned and groaned 😉

Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 12 of 68 Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 14 of 68 I think I’ve flown AA’s 777-300ER and lost touch with the reality of other business class. It has so much space not only in the seat, but in the aisles, and it has tons of storage space. There was none of that here. I couldn’t find anywhere to put my wallet, tuck my phone away, or stow my backpack at the seat. I will point out they had a nice shoe cubby under the ‘ottoman.’ That served to be quite useful.  I had a whole overhead bin to myself, but that was only cause a man and his wife were sharing one across the aisle. The 3 windows that are exclusive to this seat are incredible and make it feel more spacious than it is. Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 34 of 68   The width of the seat was such that it made it difficult to turn when lying flat. Even when upright I’d guess it to be narrower than a domestic first class seat. I’m 6’ and 170lbs… I don’t really see how bigger people could do much in these seats. In fact, my feet, size 12, wouldn’t even fit upright heel to toe. When the seat was in bed mode, I couldn’t find a position that allowed me to actually lay out, I always had to be twisted or curled. Ultimately I still managed to sleep for a solid 5 or 6 hours so I can’t complain too much, but if you’re much bigger than I am… you’re gonna have some issues. Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 40 of 68 Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 41 of 68 Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 43 of 68Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 28 of 68 I’m sure some of you are out there thinking I’m just moaning and groaning. I’m not complaining, just pointing out comparative features. It’s still lie-flat and I got a great deal, but given the option – I’d choose AA no questions asked. Amenity kit was pretty standard plus some slippers which I found to be a nice touch. Nothing worse than walking to the bathroom in socks and then step in someone’s pee. Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 30 of 68 Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 31 of 68

The Service:

Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 16 of 68 I can’t say a single bad thing about the crew. They were super nice, attentive, and very friendly. Pre-flight champagne was served and soon after we got to cruising altitude we started meal service. Pre-meal drinks were offered and the meal was far better than I expected.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Food

I’d have to say the best part of it were the scallops. The pasta was mediocre and the dessert was just ok. I was absolutely starving when I got on the plane because the lounges didn’t really have proper meals out and I tried to get into 5 of them. Yes, I spent almost 4 hours at the airport going from lounge to lounge to lounge to lounge to lounge to finally end up hungry and tired. The complete opposite of what a lounge is designed to achieve. Miles is a die hard blogger and despite my many attempts to stop…he pushed on.

Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 59 of 68
warm nuts and champagne

Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 61 of 68
salad and chilled scallops

Scallops on a plane? I know…I was a bit nervous too. They ended up being very good! Bravo Air Berlin. Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 62 of 68 Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 63 of 68 Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 64 of 68

Overall:

It was an easy flight that got me to where I needed to be rested and fed. I’m glad I did it and it’s certainly a very viable option for getting across the pond on the cheap. I’ll be flying BA Club World in about 2 months so I’m anxious to see how that compares to Air Berlin as AA has this beat by a Mile. BTW: I don’t have overly HUGE feet…but as you can see – even my size 12 feet are way too big. Air Berlin Business Class San Francisco - Dusseldorf - 56 of 68

Affiliate Disclosure

Monkey Miles has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Monkey Miles and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

 


Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

A Monkey Miles favorite for beginners and point pros alike – a staple of our wallet that earns Premium transferrable Ultimate Rewards. $95 annual fee

♥ Earn 60k Bonus Points after $4k Spend in 3 months

♥Points are transferrable to over dozen partners, or redeemable for 1.25c in Chase travel

♥5x on travel purchased via Chase Travel and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.

♥3x on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out

♥3x on select streaming

♥ 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs 

♥ $50 Annual Credit on hotel stays purchased via Ultimate Rewards. *New cardmembers can get this credit immediately – existing cardmembers get it after anniversary

♥ 10% Anniversary Point Bonus. Spend $10k in a year, get 1k bonus points.

 Learn more


 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Related

Previous Article MMWeek in Review: July 25th-31st
Next Article MMMondayMemo: AA’s Revenue Based Earnings Start Today

About Author

Miles

This Monkey didn't get the name Miles for nothing. I might look like an innocent little furball, but I am a Points and Awards BEAST!! Follow me around the world to see how I fly in lie flat seats and sleep in 5* suites for pennies on the dollar.

Related Posts

  • The planning: A 10 day buddy trip to Athens, Istanbul, and Brussels with a side of Emirates A380 First and 777-300ER Game Changer First Class.

    January 10, 2023
  • Review: The stunning new Conrad Nashville with loads of Amex credits

    January 1, 2023
  • Review: Kimpton Nashville The Aertson

    November 29, 2022
  • Mixed review of the Kimpton Savannah “The Brice”

    November 15, 2022
  • Thompson Central Park New York shines post reno – best value Hyatt in NYC.

    November 13, 2022

14 Comments

  1. Kay Reply
    August 1, 2016 at 10:21 pm

    Quick question – was this a 777-200? It’s kinda hard to tell from the pictures, but is the layout similar to BA business class?

    • Miles Reply
      August 2, 2016 at 1:39 am

      A330 – i’ll update in the deets. =)

  2. Anne Reply
    July 31, 2016 at 11:43 pm

    These photos crack me up and even though tis cramped I am jealous. This would have likely cost me 100,000 miles and about £300 in taxes in the UK!!

    • Miles Reply
      August 1, 2016 at 1:53 am

      haha, Thanks Anne! Was definitely lucky to get into London for just 57,500AA and $85

  3. Christian Reply
    July 31, 2016 at 5:27 pm

    Don’t show Gary the last pic.

    • Miles Reply
      August 1, 2016 at 1:50 am

      sssshhhhhh 😉

  4. Pingback: Review: Swiss Business Class 777-300ER Los Angeles to Zurich - THRONE SEAT! - Monkey Miles
  5. Pingback: The New Virgin Atlantic Upper Class A330 cabin, my seat picks, and pre-retrofit comparison photos. - Monkey Miles
  6. Pingback: Sopwell House Review: Luxury in South St. Albans, Hertfordshire England - Monkey Miles
  7. Pingback: Citi's AA Biz 50k w/o 24 month language + Chase Ink Biz Pref 100k, Chase Ink Cash 50k Offers - Monkey Miles
  8. Pingback: Buy American Miles for a little over $0.02 per mile - Monkey Miles
  9. Pingback: Admirals Club Chicago ORD Terminal 3 Review - Monkey Miles
  10. Pingback: My Experience Using Dublin for cheaper Business Class - Monkey Miles
  11. Pingback: American Airlines Business Class 777-200 Review: London to Chicago - Monkey Miles

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Popular Posts

  • Complete guide to Chase refer a friend bonuses [Leave your links] January 30, 2023
  • Yes, the Capital One Venture X is the best Super Premium credit card for most people January 14, 2023
  • Buy Hilton Points with up to 100% bonus January 18, 2023

Recent Posts

  • Up to 100% bonus when you Buy Air France/KLM miles “Flying Blue” ( 1.53c per point ) February 8, 2023
  • Chase Southwest credit cards offer Companion Pass + 30k points February 7, 2023
  • New American Express Delta credit cards welcome offers including 15% off award flights February 6, 2023

Social Media

Archives

Editorial Disclosure The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.

Comments Disclosure Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered

Monkey Miles is owned by BABA BOY, INC. This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.
 

Loading Comments...