[citation needed] The design of the B.II, which included an unusually strong fuselage and an atypically flexible trailing edge, drew heavily upon the preceding Albatros B.I.

Various measures were incorporated to elevate its usefulness as a reconnaissance aircraft, such as the presence of large square cutouts in the lower wing spars to increase downwards visibility from the observer's position.

In terms of flying performance, the B.II was inherently stabile and relatively docile, characteristics that naturally lent itself to the trainer role for which a dedicated variant, the B.IIA, would be developed.

The B.II was active from the onset of the First World War, being operated by the Luftstreitkräfte during the opening year of the conflict primarily to perform aerial reconnaissance.

It was displaced from frontline service due to the arrival of more capable armed reconnaissance types, and was then used as a primary trainer.

[3] The undercarriage used a traditional V-shaped chassis and was also composed of steel tubing; a claw-type break was fitted to the center of the axel.

The tailskid, which was made of ash, featured an elastic shock chord and was installed upon an inverted pylon structure.

Many aircraft would receive strengthening, particularly around the tail unit, while the radiators were also relocated from the fuselage sides to the center of the wing's leading edge.

[4] A floatplane variant of the B.II was developed, known as the W.1 or B.II-W, as was a purpose-built trainer with increased wingspan, dual flying controls, and different engines, designated the B.IIa.

Across multiple variants, large numbers of the B.II were built both on behalf of the Luftstreitkräfte and various other military air services, typically those amongst the Central Powers.

[4] It was heavily used through the first 12 months of the conflict in the aerial reconnaissance role; however, as the Allies fielded increasing numbers of armed military aircraft, the B.II was relatively defenseless due to its lack of armament.

It was the first military trainer aircraft in Sweden and received the designation Sk 1 and Ö2 in the Swedish Air Force (the two types differed slightly, mainly by choice of engine).