Bonza
Bonza in this entry refers to Air Berlin, the former German low-cost carrier known for its extensive European network and long-haul services from Düsseldorf and Berlin.
About Bonza
The airline represented by the AB and BER codes was legally Air Berlin, despite the Bonza name attached to this entry. Founded in 1978 as Air Berlin USA, it later became a German-owned carrier and developed from a leisure airline into one of Germany’s largest operators. Etihad Airways held a significant minority stake during its final years. Air Berlin entered insolvency in 2017 and ceased operations that October, so it no longer accepts bookings or operates scheduled flights.
Düsseldorf was its busiest departure hub, with Berlin also serving as a major base. Other important departure points included Palma, Munich and Nuremberg. Across its network, the airline served exactly 132 destinations in 42 countries on 836 routes. Its schedule combined German domestic links, extensive European and Mediterranean services, holiday routes to destinations such as Palma and Antalya, and selected intercontinental flights, including services to the United States.
Aircraft types associated with its operations included the Airbus A319, A320, A321, A330-200 and A330-300, alongside Airbus A340-500 and A340-600 aircraft on record. Boeing types included the 737-300, 737-400, 737-500 and 737-700. Short-haul flights were primarily configured for economy travel, while longer Airbus services offered Economy and Business Class products. Cabin layouts and onboard inclusions varied by aircraft, route and fare category.
Air Berlin joined the Oneworld alliance in 2012, giving eligible passengers access to connecting services and reciprocal benefits across the alliance until the carrier stopped flying in 2017. Its frequent-flyer programme was topbonus, which operated separately from the airline and also became insolvent. Neither the former programme nor Air Berlin provides current earning, redemption or status benefits, and historic memberships should not be treated as active Oneworld accounts.
A genuine strength was the breadth of the network: travellers could combine domestic German, European leisure and selected long-haul journeys under one airline brand. Düsseldorf and Berlin offered particularly useful connections, while Palma was central to the leisure schedule. The decisive limitation is that this is now a historical airline profile. Air Berlin ceased flying in 2017, and the Bonza label conflicts with the supplied Air Berlin identity, codes, hubs, fleet and route record.
Good to know
Flying with Bonza — what to expect
Airline No Longer Operating
Air Berlin ceased operations in October 2017. Any current website or seller offering flights as Air Berlin should be checked carefully because the former carrier does not operate scheduled services.
Historical Baggage Rules
Baggage allowances depended on fare type, route and cabin, with the cheapest fares generally including fewer benefits. Archived allowances should not be assumed to apply to flights operated by successor airlines.
Major Connection Points
Düsseldorf and Berlin were the principal gateways, while Palma, Munich and Nuremberg were also important departure airports. Connection options varied considerably between the business-oriented and leisure parts of the network.
Mixed Fleet Experience
Cabin comfort and service differed between narrow-body European aircraft and wide-body long-haul aircraft. Travellers historically needed to check the operating aircraft and fare inclusions before departure.
Loyalty Programme Closed
The topbonus programme is no longer an active frequent-flyer option. Former balances, status and account details should not be expected to provide current Oneworld benefits.
Network overview
Where Bonza flies
Bonza operates 836 routes to 132 destinations across 42 countries, its longest sector reaching Los Angeles to Berlin (9,320 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Bonza flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Los Angeles → Berlin
9,320 km · LAX → TXL
The longest sector in the Bonza network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Bonza
Tracked Bonza routes touch Australia, Singapore.
More from Germany
Other airlines based in Germany
FAQ
Bonza — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- The longest route was Los Angeles to Berlin, about 9,320 km nonstop. It formed part of the airline’s former long-haul network.
- Air Berlin’s historical carry-on allowance varied by fare, cabin and route. Because the airline no longer operates, travellers should follow the current rules of the carrier shown on their ticket rather than relying on archived Air Berlin policies.
- There are no current Air Berlin tickets because the carrier ceased operations in 2017. For comparable routes, lower fares are generally easier to find outside peak holiday periods and when booking early with flexible travel dates.
- The busiest departure hubs were Düsseldorf, Berlin, Palma, Munich and Nuremberg, in that order by number of routes. Düsseldorf and Berlin anchored much of the wider network.
- The network covered Germany, wider Europe, Mediterranean leisure markets and selected long-haul destinations. Notable cities included Düsseldorf, Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Palma, Antalya and Los Angeles, although these services no longer operate under Air Berlin.
- The airline served exactly 132 destinations across 42 countries, operating 836 routes. These are historical network figures because Air Berlin ceased flying in 2017.
- Düsseldorf was the busiest hub in this airline record, with Berlin also functioning as a major base. The carrier ceased operations in 2017.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Since Air Berlin no longer operates, any current results would be for active airlines serving comparable routes rather than Air Berlin flights.