airberlin passengers can now also collect Avios on flights operated by codeshare partner British Airways. Avios is British Airways’ new currency for frequent flyers. Furthermore, these miles can be redeemed for award flights. British Airways Executive Club customers can earn and redeem Avios on flights operated by both airberlin and NIKI. The two carriers – airberlin and British Airways – have already been working together as codeshare partners since July of this year under the umbrella of the oneworld® airline alliance, of which airberlin will become a full member in the spring of 2012. Cooperation between the two frequent flyer programmes is another important step in extending this successful partnership.

According to Andre Rahn, Director Marketing airberlin: "Both airberlin and British Airways are well known for their full service products and excellent value for money. The collaboration between the frequent flyer programmes now offers members even more advantages: They can now collect frequent flyer miles more quickly for even more attractive destinations within the airberlin and British Airways route networks."

Gavin Halliday, British Airways’ Area General Manager Europe and Africa, said: “Today’s announcement continues to demonstrate how our relationship with airberlin continues to deliver value to our customers. We look forward to airberlin becoming a full member of the oneworld alliance next year.”

To collect miles and Avios, topbonus and Executive Club members simply need to quote their frequent flyer membership number during the booking process or present their card at the check-in desk. The miles and Avios earned are automatically credited to their account.

The topbonus frequent flyer frogramme already has more than 2.7 million members, allowing passengers to collect miles towards award flights and exclusive status benefits. topbonus miles can be collected on flights, by purchasing products from numerous partners, including hotels, car hire companies, insurance companies and magazines, as well as on any payments made using the airberlin credit card. Further information about airberlin’s frequent flyer programme is available online at airberlin.com/topbonus.

British Airways Executive Club, now has over seven million members worldwide and has recently been relaunched as part of a £5bn investment British Airways is making across the whole airline on new aircraft, lounges, and technologies for customers. Further information about British Airways Executive Club is available online at ba.com.

airberlin is Germany's second largest airline. The company has a workforce of 9,200 employees. In 2010 alone, airberlin received over 10 awards for service and quality. The fleet comprises 170 aircraft with an average age of five years, making it one of the most modern fleets in Europe. The airline's state-of-the-art jets are highly fuel efficient, which contributes toward a long-term reduction in pollution emissions from aircraft. As one of the major European airlines, airberlin flies to 171 destinations in 45 countries. In 2010, the airline carried 33.6 million passengers. airberlin has signed up for membership to the global airline alliance oneworld and is expected to become a full member at the start of 2012. airberlin operates codeshare flights with the oneworld members American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Malev, Royal Jordanian and S7.