Bid for a "shadow" on airberlin

[Mattg]

I thought this was interesting. I'm flying on airberlin in a few days. I got an email inviting me to bid for a "free neighbouring seat". This seems to be just like the QF and VA upgrade auctions, except that airberlin doesn't operate a business class on intra-Europe flights so they are offering this instead.

For the flight of 2 hours and 40 minutes the minimum bid for a guaranteed shadow is €35 (around AUD55).

I won't be bidding as I've found that with oneworld status I usually end up with a shadow and at the front of the plane anyway. In fact, shadows are actually a guaranteed benefit, where the flight is not full, for airberlin topbonus elites. In any case, I don't need a shadow that badly anyway.

 

[marki]

They are desperate for cash so fleecing customers where possible

 

[samh004]

I think it's quite a good idea, though not sure it makes sense for a full service carrier. Are they LCC or full service, or new age like VA? I think this would be a great addition for VA, but I can't see it being a good fit for QF.

 

[Mattg]

I think it's quite a good idea, though not sure it makes sense for a full service carrier. Are they LCC or full service, or new age like VA? I think this would be a great addition for VA, but I can't see it being a good fit for QF.

I consider airberlin to be a bit like VA - they're not a low-cost carrier, but they aren't quite a full service airline either. (On intra-Europe short-haul, anyway.) They give everyone a free drink and snack, but more substantial meals are only available for purchase. Baggage is usually included, but they do have some hand-luggage only fares. The AB lounges ("exclusive waiting areas") are very poor. Actually come to think of it, they're about on par with most of the premium US carriers - except that on Airberlin you can count on getting friendly & efficient service.

I think there is some merit to this. QF and VA already have upgrade auctions, but only for an upgrade to a different cabin. Airberlin only have one class on intra-Europe so I guess they felt they needed to innovate.

I could see something like this working on JQ or TT one-class flights.

 

[Mattg]

Well, the flight ended up being very empty, maybe 25% full. I had a whole row to myself. (And I didn't bid.)

I received another invitation to bid today for an upcoming TXL-DUS leg. The minimum bid is only 20 Euros but I will still pass as I don't really see the value. As far as I can tell, these are only being offered on flights they expect to have a light load. Which in a way negates the benefit.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Well, the flight ended up being very empty, maybe 25% full. I had a whole row to myself. (And I didn't bid.)

I received another invitation to bid today for an upcoming TXL-DUS leg. The minimum bid is only 20 Euros but I will still pass as I don't really see the value. As far as I can tell, these are only being offered on flights they expect to have a light load. Which in a way negates the benefit.

I too thought this was interesting on recent couple of flights with AB!

Since they don't sell J on these flights, this is about the only up-sell they can offer. I found the same thing recently, and with status, you can book a seat up the front. Considering everyone else has to pay to select and even then, further down the back, the front 10 rows or so are very empty. I was actually pretty impressed, but you would be an absolute idiot to have paid for this.

I certainly wouldn't say they're anything like VA. Very much LCC on the intra-Europe routes, but that's just the market. I don't think it's really fair to compare the two. Long-haul would be a different story though.

 

[Mattg]

I too thought this was interesting on recent couple of flights with AB!

Since they don't sell J on these flights, this is about the only up-sell they can offer. I found the same thing recently, and with status, you can book a seat up the front. Considering everyone else has to pay to select and even then, further down the back, the front 10 rows or so are very empty. I was actually pretty impressed, but you would be an absolute idiot to have paid for this.

Absolutely. With my QF status I've always managed to get a seat in the empty front section. Only once have I ever not had a shadow as the flight was 100% full.

I certainly wouldn't say they're anything like VA. Very much LCC on the intra-Europe routes, but that's just the market. I don't think it's really fair to compare the two. Long-haul would be a different story though.

I would have to disagree. I find them quite similar to VA in many aspects. They offer free snacks and drinks on board, with more substantial meals available for an additional fee. They have IFE in the form of free BYO device streaming (as well as in-flight internet for a fee). The flight attendants are friendly and professional. Yes, they have some hand-luggage only fares but you get a free bag anyway if you have any oneworld (or VA) status. Until not long ago VA also had these type of fares.

I wouldn't quite call them full-service, but AB are not IMHO a low-cost carrier either.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I would have to disagree. I find them quite similar to VA in many aspects. They offer free snacks and drinks on board, with more substantial meals available for an additional fee. They have IFE in the form of free BYO device streaming (as well as in-flight internet for a fee). The flight attendants are friendly and professional. Yes, they have some hand-luggage only fares but you get a free bag anyway if you have any oneworld (or VA) status. Until not long ago VA also had these type of fares.

I wouldn't quite call them full-service, but AB are not IMHO a low-cost carrier either.

I guess it's just the lack of a J product that gives me the LCC impression. But you're right, there are similarities.

 

[subichow]

I assume seating is 3-3 layout? Does this mean the person two seats away from you got a free shadow seat or they sell the one empty seat to two people sitting on either side and make money on both of them?

 

[Mattg]

I assume seating is 3-3 layout? Does this mean the person two seats away from you got a free shadow seat or they sell the one empty seat to two people sitting on either side and make money on both of them?

Yes, it's a 3-3 layout on most of their aircraft. No idea how it would work really, but I guess in theory they could sell the shadow to two people...

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Yes, it's a 3-3 layout on most of their aircraft. No idea how it would work really, but I guess in theory they could sell the shadow to two people...

This should really be in the scam thread.