airberlin completes the roll-out of its fully flat business class seats

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Head for Points is a big fan of redeeming Avios on airberlin having done two JFK – Germany flights last year in business class for just £1 of tax (reviews here and here).

If you look at my two reviews, you will see that the first used the old sloping business class seat. The second, last August, saw me trying out the new fully-flat version which was a great improvement.

airberlin sent out a press release last week to confirm that the new seats are now available on all of their long-haul aircraft.

They were at pains to stress that they are the ONLY German airline (mention no names!) to have fully-flat seats on all of their aircraft! Lufthansa is catching up very slowly as I outlined in this article recently.

Here is a reminder of airberlin long-haul routes. This is copied from a post I wrote last year but I don’t think anything has changed. The sweet spot is Berlin to Abu Dhabi. As this is just under 3,000 miles it will only cost 50,000 Avios points return. I think you even get a free chauffeur car at both ends as this route is an Etihad codeshare.

airberlin long haul routes (business class return price plus approximate tax):

Abu Dhabi from Berlin – 50,000 Avios + £51

Abu Dhabi from Dusseldorf – 80,000 Avios + £52

Cancun from Munich – 120,000 Avios + £88

Cancun from Dusseldorf – 100,000 Avios + £86

Chicago from Berlin – 100,000 Avios + £65

* Curacao from Dusseldorf – 100,000 Avios + £46

* Dominican Republic (3 airports) from Munich, Dusseldorf – 100,000 Avios + £105

Fort Myers, Florida from Dusseldorf – 100,000 Avios + £66

Los Angeles from Dusseldorf – 120,000 Avios + £66 (Summer only)

Miami from Berlin – 100,000 Avios + £65

Miami from Dusseldorf – 100,000 Avios + £66

Mombasa, Kenya from Munich – 80,000 Avios + £82

New York from Berlin – 80,000 Avios + £65

New York from Dusseldorf – 80,000 Avios + £66

Phuket from Abu Dhabi – 80,000 Avios + £30 (ends 25 October 2014)

* Varadero, Cuba from Berlin, Munich, Dusseldorf – 100,000 Avios + £53

* Appears to be losing business class seating from Nov/Dec 2014 onwards

How to earn Avios points from UK credit cards

How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (December 2021)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways BA Amex American Express card

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up, no annual fee and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending ….. Read our full review

British Airways BA Premium Plus American Express Amex credit card

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the UK’s most valuable credit card perk – the 2-4-1 companion voucher Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points, such as:

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital On Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios:

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus: