The Albatros B.I and smaller B.II were developed before the outbreak of war in 1914 and were roughly equivalent to the British Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, although slower but better looking. Layout was fairly conventional for the time with the pilot occupying the rear cockpit and the observer the front. No armament was provided as aerial combat was a thing of the future. Power was provided by a 74.5kW Mercedes D.I or an 82kW Benz Bz.II engine and an ugly exhaust manifold partially obstructed the forward view. However, they were strongly constructed and well liked by their crews and were widely used for reconnaissance duties during the first year of the war on both Western and Eastern Fronts.

Manufacture was undertaken by several companies. A seaplane version was also built in small numbers and a few B.II were operated by Austro-Hungary. In 1917 the B.II was ordered back into service as the B.IIa dual-control trainer, powered by an 89.4kW Mercedes D.II or Argus As.II engine.