I flew Air Berlin STN-NUE-STN in early summer this year because it was the only direct flight to NUE that I could find from the UK. Thanks to the low ticket price and that I knew they only had a desk or two at STN I thought they were some two-bit outfit like the LoCos that have come and gone, so was amazed to find a spotless new A319 that I learned on reading the in flight magazine was operated by Germany's second largest airline after Lufthansa.
I was even more amazed to find a wide range of magazines and newspapers spread out over the galley (making me think of a train station newsagent!), a proffered basket of boiled sweets on entering the cabin, food included in the price, and polite and efficient service.
The nicest touch of all however was the simplest; the on-line booking system included a simple click to load the flight details in to my Outlook calendar. Neat. Very.
If what I write sounds like an advert, it should!
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