Transavia Economy Class on the Boeing 737-800 to Berlin

If you want to fly within Germany from Munich to Berlin, you used to fly with Air Berlin or Lufthansa. Since 30 May, the Dutch airline Transavia has joined the group. Unlike Lufthansa and Air Berlin, Transavia flies to Schoenefeld Airport twice a day. So I took the plunge and flew with Transavia Economy Class in the Boeing 737-800 to Berlin.

Transavia Economy Class in the Boeing 737 – The Prologue

Despite my frequent flyer status with Oneworld and Star Alliance and the associated benefits like Fastlane, lounge access, and priority boarding, I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and daring to try the low-cost option. The price of €77 return one week before departure is unbeatable, and somehow this small green and white airline has piqued my interest ever since they began stationing four Boeing 737s in Munich.

The website is simple and clearly structured. I quickly found the right flights: Departure on June 2nd from MUC-SXF at 6:40 a.m. (OMG) and the return flight also on June 2nd at 9:40 p.m. I'm foregoing extras like checked baggage and seat reservations. It's enough for me to be able to choose my seat for free at check-in.

I easily check in using the app. On the outbound flight, I choose seat 23A. Transavia flies from Terminal 1, Concourses D and E. Without any frequent flyer status benefits, I get in line and wait patiently for 20 minutes until I'm through security.

Transavia Economy Class in the Boeing 737 – The Flight

Upon arrival at the gate, you are immediately asked to show your luggage so that it can be properly labeled. Our pilots arrive five minutes before boarding. The departure is still on time. For the flight to Berlin, I reserved a window seat; unfortunately, the 737-800 is a bit older, and the windows are very dirty. We take off via the north runway toward Berlin Schönefeld.

After takeoff, I glance at the menu. Interesting offers include the Dutch break deal (cookie and coffee) for €4.00 and the traveler's dinner deal (sandwich and soft drink or coffee) for €7.00. I try the sandwich deal and should have opted for the cookie instead. The coffee is Nescafé and is brewed with hot water. If you get bored, you can download movies and series before departure using your booking number via the Transavia Entertainment app and watch them during the flight.

Fifty minutes in the air fly by. The crew collects the trash, and we begin our descent. We approach Berlin Schönefeld Airport from the west. My first landing in Schönefeld is unexpectedly rough—I'll definitely use some more practice! :-) To my surprise, we dock at a gate. This is how Transavia differs from EasyJet, Ryanair, and Germanwings, which all deplane on the tarmac. What a luxury!

Arrival at Berlin Schönefeld Airport

The routes at the former central airport of the GDR are short, so I'm out in less than two minutes and on my way to Schönefeld station. In the evening, I fly back to Munich with Transavia. This time, the plane is PH-HXC. This Boeing 737-800 was born just a few months ago and is equipped with the modern Sky Interior. The crew was friendly and pleasant. Unfortunately, Schönefeld is an absolute disaster as an airport – true to the motto: "You get what you pay for!"

Did you like this article? Then share it on social media! This way you'll be supporting our work. We also welcome your opinion in the Comments.