AirBerlin

Europe Based Discount Carrier

Alongside its award for World’s Leading Budget Airline 2008, Air Berlin certainly deserves another for most unusual destination.

Siem Reap, anyone?

This Cambodian city is one of 79 destinations – also including Windhoek, Namibia and Varadero, Cuba – served by this ‘semi’ discount carrier – the favourite of many a traveller. While tickets cost a bit more than the competition, the value for money is undeniable.

True, there’s currently a booking fee and a fuel surcharge of US$25, but that’s pretty much it. One piece of checked baggage is free, seats are allocated and non-alcoholic refreshments and snacks are complementary. For those wanting to lord it over fellow passengers, ‘gourmet’ meals can also be ordered on the longer flights that are halfway edible.

The downside? Free newspapers and magazines are in German, and the airline supplements its income with loads of adverts shown between invariably awful TV shows.

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