General Conditions of Carriage (GCC) of Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG, NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH (Airline), LTU Lufttransport-Unternehmen GmbH, dba Luftfahrtgesellschaft mbH, Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter mbH and Belair Airlines AG
1. Area of application
These general conditions of carriage apply to any transportation of passengers and baggage, including associated services, provided by Air Berlin PLC & Co Luftverkehrs KG, NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH, LTU Lufttransport-Unternehmen GmbH, dba Luftfahrtgesellschaft mbH, Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter mbH, Belair Airlines AG or their vicarious agents (hereinafter referred to as the Airline). Unless otherwise expressly agreed, these general conditions of carriage shall also apply to carriage provided free of charge. The Airline’s general terms and conditions of business also apply.
2. Contact Details for Notification and Information
All notifications and Information are dealt with by the Air Berlin Service Centre. The Service Centre can be reached via telephone 0871-5000 737 (0,10 GBP/min), fax +49 (0)30-4102 1003, e-mail to serviceteam(at)airberlin.com or at Air Berlin Serviceteam, Saatwinkler Damm 42-43, 13627 Berlin, Germany.
3. Carriage only on presentation of complete and valid travel documents
Passengers are only carried by the Airline if complete and valid travel documents as well as a valid passport ID card/visa are presented when checking in on time. This also applies to any pets travelling with passengers.
Suitable proof of identity (inclusion on the passport of parent/guardian or the child’s own passport) must also be submitted for children and infants. We advise passengers to have their booking reference number ready when checking in.
The Airline in entitled to refuse carriage if the conditions of entry imposed by the country of destination have not been met or if travel documents/evidence required by a specific country cannot be submitted.
4. Check-in, late arrival for check-in and boarding
4.1. If passengers check in at a desk or use the Quick Check-in facility, the following distinctions apply:
- For short-haul and medium-haul flights (up to 3,000 miles) passengers must have presented themselves at the check-in desk at least 30, 45 or 60 minutes, depending on the departure airport, prior to the scheduled departure time to collect their boarding pass (when using the Quick Check-in machines they must have completed the automated check-in process to obtain their boarding pass by this time) to be able to board. Please refer to the booking confirmation for the exact check-in times and deadlines. For information you can also view the check-in times and deadlines for the various departure airports at www.airberlin.com or call our Service Centre or ask at any Air Berlin ticket desks.
- For long-haul flights (3,000 miles or more) passengers must be in possession of their boarding pass and have presented themselves at the check-in desk at least 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time (when using the Quick Check-in machines they must have completed the automated check-in process by this time) to be able to board.
4.2. Passengers using the Web Check-in facility must have completed the online process and printed out their boarding pass at least 120 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of the flight to be able to board.
4.3. Passengers checking in by MMS Check-in (this only applies to German or Austrian mobile phone networks) must have confirmed the Airline’s SMS prompt on their MMS-capable mobile phone to receive their boarding pass as an MMS barcode, thereby completing their check-in procedure, at least 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of the flight to be able to board.
4.4. For exact departure times please refer to the relevant booking confirmation, as well as the display at the departure airport. Responsibility for complying with check-in deadlines rests with the passenger.
4.5. Furthermore, passengers are required to be at the gate at least 20 minutes prior to departure (boarding time) and must be in possession of a valid boarding pass (MMS Check-in: MMS barcode) ready to board.
4.6. Failure to comply with the check-in deadlines mentioned in the previous sections (4.1.–4.4.) or failure to comply with the boarding time (4.5.) means that passengers, whether or not they are in possession of a valid boarding pass, will lose their entitlement to carriage, although they are still obliged to pay the fare, unless responsibility for this lies with the airline. Equally no claims for damages, compensation of expenses or other claims against the airline may be derived from this.
5. Carriage of baggage
5.1. The Airline may refuse to accept baggage to be checked in if it is not packaged in such a way that its secure transportation can be ensured. Passengers share responsibility for ensuring that their checked baggage, as well as all items contained therein, will survive transportation without damage.
5.2. Cabin baggage must not weigh more than 6 kg (8 kg for laptops; on USA/Canada flights a standard allowance of 8 kg applies). The dimensions of hand baggage must not exceed the measurements of 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm. On account of space restrictions and security, only one item of hand baggage per passenger is permitted. According to EU regulation 1546/2006 all passengers departing from airports in the European Union and Switzerland (including connecting flights) are only allowed to transport liquids, pressurised containers, pastes, lotions and other gel-like substances up to a maximum amount of 100ml per item in their hand baggage. Essential is the maximum filling amount printed on the container. All of these single containers must be packed in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag with a capacity not greater than 1 liter. Only one plastic bag per person is allowed. Special rules apply to prescribed medication and baby food, which can be obtained through the Servicecenter of the airline. Some Non-EU states have adopted the same regulations. Further information is available through the Servicecenter of the airline.
5.3. For flights up to 3,000 miles the maximum free baggage allowance for checked baggage is 20 kg per passenger, unless other regulations apply (e.g. customer loyalty schemes). The free baggage allowance increases to 30 kg per person for stays of 28 days or more.
For flights of more than 3,000 miles the free baggage allowance is 20 kg per passenger or 30 kg for stays of 28 days or more (Business Class: 30 kg, or 40 kg for stays of 28 days or more), unless other regulations apply (e.g. customer loyalty schemes, USA/Canada flights: 23 kg / 32 kg for Business/Relax Class passengers). We recommend that you do not check in any items of baggage heavier than 32 kg. Please contact the Airline’s Service Centre for further information.
An additional charge is payable if the free baggage allowance applicable to the passenger is exceeded (see clause 7 below). The person named as the customer on the booking and to whom the invoice has been issued and/or the passenger is responsible for paying the additional charge.
5.4. The baggage identification tag issued to the passenger acts as a record of the checked baggage as regards the weight and the number of items. Passengers are advised to attach a label with their name and address to the outside and inside of checked baggage.
5.5. Passengers are required to collect their checked baggage as soon as it is issued by the Airline. If baggage is not collected or acceptance refused, the Airline shall be entitled to charge the passenger for the storage costs that may be incurred.
6. Prohibited baggage
6.1. The carriage of dangerous items is forbidden on all flights operated by the Airline.
6.2. Passengers are not permitted to carry the following items:
- Items that could endanger the aircraft, onboard equipment or persons, in particular explosives, compressed gases, oxidising, radioactive, corrosive or magnetising substances, highly flammable, toxic or aggressive substances and also all kinds of liquids, i.e. any items or substances that are classified as hazardous in accordance with the regulations on hazardous substances;
- separate lithium batteries or lithium rechargeable batteries (as commonly used in laptop computers) in checked-in baggage;
- items that are unsuitable for carriage on account of their weight, size or nature.
6.3. Passengers are not permitted to carry weapons of any kind, either in their hand baggage or on their person, in particular firearms, blunt or sharp weapons as well as containers under gas pressure that can be used for the purpose of attack or defence. The same applies to all types of ammunition and potentially explosive substances. Absorbed-fuel (Zippo-type) cigarette lighters are prohibited. Passengers may carry 1 gas lighter on their person.
6.4. Toy guns (plastic or metal), catapults, cutlery, razor blades (both safety blades and open blades), commercially available toys that could be used as a weapon, knitting needles, sports rackets and other sports or leisure equipment that could be used as a weapon (e.g. skateboards, fishing rods or paddles), as well as any other sharp articles must only be transported in checked baggage. The same applies to nail scissors, nail files, tail combs and hypodermic syringes (except for documented medical purposes), as well as to candles with a gel component, shoe insoles with a gel component, snow domes or similar decorations, irrespective of size or quantity of liquid. To avoid injury, all sharp items in checked-in baggage must be protected and packed securely.
6.5. Passengers are advised not to transport any fragile or perishable items, items of special value, e.g. money, jewellery, precious metals, precious stones, laptops, cameras, mobile telephones, navigation or other electronic devices, securities (share certificates etc.) or other valuables or documents, samples, identification documents, house keys, car keys, medication or liquids in their checked baggage.
7. Excess/special baggage
7.1. The carriage of baggage that exceeds the applicable free baggage allowance in terms of weight is subject to a charge. Unless otherwise agreed, an additional charge (excess baggage charge) will apply to baggage in excess of the free baggage allowance. In every case the charge must be paid before departure of the flight, otherwise there is no entitlement to transportation of the baggage. The person entered as customer on the booking and to whom the invoice has been issued and/or the passenger is responsible for paying the additional charge. The excess baggage charges are as follows:
- Domestic flights: 5 EUR per kg one way
- International flights, short-haul/medium-haul: 8 EUR per kg one way
- International flights, long-haul: 20 EUR per kg one way
- Special regulations for USA/Canada flights (two-piece concept):
• Free baggage allowance: 2 items of baggage at 23 kg each (32 kg for Business/Relax Class passengers)
• Excess baggage charge (more than 23 kg and up to 32 kg) per kg one way: 25 EUR (flight from Germany) / 25 USD (flight from destination area)
• Two-piece excess baggage charge for each additional item (from 3rd item of baggage) up to 32 kg one way: 150 EUR (outbound flight) / 150 USD (inbound flight)
• Excess baggage charge (more than 32 kg) per item of baggage one way: 375 EUR (outbound flight) / 375 USD (inbound flight)
Unless otherwise expressly agreed, the Airline must be notified in advance of all items of special baggage. Notification must be made in writing. The Airline’s confirmation of such notification is required to ensure entitlement to transportation. The dimensions and weight of the item of special baggage must be stated on notification.
The decision relating to transportation of excess and special baggage is based on available capacity in the hold and on safety regulations. Consequently excess and special baggage may be subject to a quantity restriction or entirely excluded from transportation.
7.2. Sports equipment is deemed to be special baggage and must be packed separately. We advise passengers to check in sports equipment in sturdy packaging. It must be recognisable as sports equipment at the check-in desk. The following fees apply:
- Bicycle: 25 EUR one way
- Hang-glider: 25 EUR one way
- Parachute / Paraglider: 25 EUR one way
- Bodyboard / Kiteboard (over 1.40 m in length): 25 EUR one way
- Kayak: 25 EUR one way
- Surfboard with sail and mast: 25 EUR one way
- Diving equipment (over 30 kg): 25 EUR one way
- Golf equipment (over 30 kg): 25 EUR one way
- Riding equipment (1 pair of boots and 1 saddle): 25 EUR one way
- Ski equipment (1 pair of skis or 1 snowboard and ski boots or 1 skibob per passenger): 25 EUR one way
- Water skiing equipment (1 pair of water skis and wetsuit): 25 EUR one way
Charges for other sports equipment are available on request.
However, the paragraph above notwithstanding, the Airline must be notified in advance of diving equipment if a diving lamp will also be carried. Belts must be transported without the lead diving weights and compressed-air bottles must be empty. Diving lamps must be carried as hand luggage, with the battery or bulb removed.
Bicycles must be packaged. We recommend a bike box or other sturdy container. Bicycles with an auxiliary engine are deemed to be hazardous items and excluded from carriage. However bicycles powered by an electric motor and equipped with a battery can be transported.
The Airline must be notified in advance if passengers will be checking in sports weapons and associated ammunition, or any items that have the appearance of or are marked as weapons, ammunition or potentially explosive substances. The Airline will only permit such items to be carried if they are transported as freight or checked baggage in accordance with regulations covering the transportation of hazardous goods. Further information will be provided on notification of the airline.
The Airline does not require notification of the items of special baggage/sports equipment listed below and they will be carried free of charge, provided that their weight as a separate item of baggage does not exceed 30 kg. Only one item of special baggage/sports equipment per passenger will be accepted:
Sports wheelchairs and associated sports equipment, diving equipment, golf equipment, pushchairs/buggies and child seats.
Other special baggage/sports equipment does not need to be registered and is subject to the regulations covering the free baggage allowance (section 7.1).
7.3. One (1) wheelchair may be carried per disabled passenger and the Airline must be notified of such a requirement on booking. Restrictions apply to the carriage of motorised wheelchairs on account of the limited hold capacity. When they are checked in, such wheelchairs must be in a condition that ensures their safe handling and transportation. Entitlement to carriage only applies if the Airline has been notified in advance and has confirmed the passenger’s request to have the wheelchair transported on the flight, with the dimensions and weight being stated. In particular the regulations on hazardous goods must be complied with. Further details will be provided on notification of the Airline.
7.4. The carriage of pets is subject to a charge. The statutory regulations covering the transportation of animals apply. The pets must be transported in a suitable, closed, leak-proof and secure carrier. For reasons of safety and space the passenger’s entitlement to carriage of a pet only applies if the Airline was notified of and confirmed such intended carriage when the booking was made. The Airline does not accept any pets on flights to and from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Iceland. The passenger is responsible for ensuring that all the necessary vaccination and health certificates as well as entry documents are up to date.
The Airline’s charge for the carriage of pets in the cabin (maximum dimensions of a pet carrier are 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm, up to 6 kg in weight) is 20 EUR one way. The Airline’s charge for carrying pets in the hold is 30 EUR one way. For flights of 3,000 or more the charge is 60 EUR one way. Pets that are transported in the cabin must be kept in their carrier at all times during the flight. The carrier must not be placed on a seat.
The Airline is only permitted to carry two (2) visually impaired passengers with one guide dog each in the cabin. The passenger’s entitlement to carriage of the guide dog only applies if the Airline was notified of the intended carriage on booking and has confirmed such intended carriage. Guide dogs are carried free of charge.
8. Carriage of infants, children and young persons
To avoid damage to health, we recommend that newborn infants under 7 days old are not carried on flights.
The fare for infants (children under 2 years old) on all international routes is 10 % of the adult fare. Infants (children under 2 years old) are carried free of charge on all domestic German routes. The fare for children between the ages of 2 and 11 inclusive is 67 % of the adult fare. All the above-mentioned prices are subject to taxes, charges and fuel surcharge.
Infants may travel in their own child seat provided that an additional seat has been booked on the aircraft and if the Airline has been notified at least 48 h before departure that a child seat will be used. Throughout the flight the child seat must be secured to the aircraft seat using the seat belt provided. The following child seats are currently approved for general use on aircraft: Römer King Quickfix, Maxi Cosi Mico, Maxi Cosi City, Storchenmühle Maximum. Other child seats may be permitted in individual cases subject to prior notification. The child seat must in all cases be approved (certified) and marked accordingly. In addition the Luftikid seat is also approved for use on some aircraft. Further information is shown on the Service/Service for Families pages at www.airberlin.com or will be provided on registration.
Attention:
Suitable proof of identity (inclusion on the passport of parent/guardian or the child’s own passport) must also be submitted for children and infants.
Children between the ages of 5 and 16 may be carried by the Airline without a person accompanying them provided that the Airline is notified in advance and that carriage of unaccompanied minors is confirmed by the Airline. A notification is required or all unaccompanied minors under the age of 12.
Unaccompanied minors will be carried if an official passport/identity document with a photograph or the German family book or a certified copy thereof is presented at the check-in desk. The parents/guardian have to provide a written confirmation that the child is allowed to travel. For some countries special rules apply. Further Information can be obtained through the Service Centre. The name of the person collecting/ looking after the child at the destination airport must be given at the check-in desk. The parent/guardian or person looking after the child must wait at the airport until the departure of the aircraft.
The carriage of unaccompanied minors is subject to a processing charge of 40 EUR one way. For flights of over 3,000 miles this charge is 80 EUR one way.
In determining the age of a child it is the age of the child prevailing on the day of departure of the booked flight that shall apply. If the Airline is required to provide particular services, then the return date will also be taken into account and it is the age of the child on the day of departure of the return flight that will be decisive.
On transit flights via one of the Airline’s hubs the Airline will provide a person to accompany and supervise unaccompanied minors, provided that the transit time does not exceed 2 hours. If it does, carriage will be refused.
9. Carriage of expectant mothers
For safety reasons and to avoid damage to the health of expectant mothers, the following regulations apply:
Until 4 weeks before the expected date of delivery the Airline will provide carriage for expectant mothers without a fitness-to-fly certificate; the Airline is entitled to demand a medical certificate showing that the pregnancy has not progressed beyond the 36th week.
Carriage is not provided for expectant mothers in the 4 weeks before the expected date of delivery.
Important – please note:
The above-mentioned regulations must also be taken into account for the date of any planned return flight.
10. Restriction and refusal of carriage
The Airline is entitled to refuse carriage or onward carriage, or curtail carriage for passengers or their baggage if:
- the aircraft, a person or items on board are endangered;
- members of the crew are obstructed in carrying out their duties;
- the crew’s instructions, in particular with regard to smoking and the consumption of alcohol, are ignored;
- passengers’ behaviour imposes an unacceptable burden or leads to damage or injury on the part of other passengers or the flight crew;
- there is reasonable suspicion that passengers will carry out one of the above-mentioned acts;
- carriage would be in breach of the applicable law, regulations or requirements of the country of departure or destination or of the country over which the aircraft is flying at the time;
- passenger refuse to allow themselves or their baggage to be subjected to checks that might be required for security reasons;
- passengers do not have any valid travel documents in their possession, destroy their own travel documents during the flight or refuse to hand over the travel documents at the request of the members of the crew in return for an acknowledgement of receipt;
- passengers do not comply with the regulations required for making the journey (e.g. passport, visa and health regulations, including for animals accompanying the passengers);
- passengers cannot prove at the check-in desk or when boarding the aircraft that they are the person in whose name the booking was made;
- the fare, taxes, charges or surcharges, including for previous flights, have not been paid;
- passengers contravene safety-relevant instructions given by the Airline or instructions within the scope of company regulations;
- passengers are carrying prohibited baggage.
The Airline is entitled to reallocate seats, even after the aircraft has been boarded. This may be necessary for security-related or operational reasons. There is no entitlement to be allocated a specific seat.
The Airline is entitled to ask such passengers to leave the plane, to refuse onward carriage at any location or to refuse carriage throughout the route network if this is necessary to ensure the safe operation of the flight and/or to protect the passengers and crew. In addition the pilot in command is authorised to take any other necessary and reasonable measures to maintain or restore safety and order on board. Passengers committing any unlawful acts on board will be prosecuted under criminal or civil law.
For safety reasons passengers are not permitted to use any private electronic devices during take off and landing. The use of mobile phones is not permitted at any time during the flight. Other electronic devices may only be used with the permission of the flight attendants.
11. Miscellaneous
If one or more provisions of these General Conditions of Carriage is ineffective or subsequently rendered ineffective, the effectiveness of the remaining provisions shall not be affected.
Date issued: 01.11.2008
