AB: Air Berlin off to JFK from Berlin, starts to be more OneWorldish.

Air Berlin have announced as part of their OneWorld joining programme that will initiate a service between Berlin Tegal and New York JFK.

Service will start in May 2011, with the following operation pattern (4 days a week)

OUTBOUND

DEP TIME   ARV TIME    DAY

TXL 10:00  JFK 12:45   MON, WED, SUN

TXL 10:00  JFK 13:45   FRI

RETURN

DEP TIME   ARV TIME    DAY

JFK 17:40  JFK 07:30   MON, WED, SUN, FRI

Flights are timed as such to allow connections from Air Berlin's European network, and connections with soon-to-be OneWorld partner American Airlines.

Tegel currently has support to the New York area with Delta Airlines (representing SkyTeam) and Continental (Star Alliance). These services however are offered on a daily basis.

Well it's nice to see a new route, but a bit more commitment would be nice in the long term (4 days a week is a bit wishywashy). To compete, Air Berlin will have to look at the equipment carefully, and maybe plan an upgrade up the front of the plane where currently, there are recliner seats. Whilst good for day flights, the markets are moving to flat seats (be they wedgie or fully flat).

Still, new routes are always welcome...