What is Germany's second largest airlines after Lufthansa?

Answer 1

Earning their position as the second largest scheduled commercial airline in Germany is Air Berlin. Its origins are unique in that as an airline envisaged to fly from and to points in Germany and the European continent, the airline was registered in Miami, Florida, USA.

In addition to its stateside registration, Air Berlin's crew - Pilots, engineering crew, etc., were strictly limited to citizens of the United Kingdom, United States, Soviet Union, and France. This was not an aggressive form of nationalism or bias. It was due to a legal mandate from the cold war involving West Berlin's legal status. It was a requisite under the spoils of war that all air traffic to/from the city was restricted solely to the victors of World War II.

Further adding to Air Berlin's competitive stance, it is now a fully participating partner in the Oneworld Alliance - a consortia of airlines committed to offering passengers seamless connectivity between its partners, combined fare structures, and frequent flier fidelity recognition such as sharing of business class and first class lounges, upgrades and coordinated flight connecting times.