Brussels Airlines, biggest AVRO RJ/Bae-146 operator

FLY4HOURS.BE · Post by **FLY4HOURS.BE** » 20 Aug 2007, 20:51

While doing some research on the net, I found out that Bru.air is the greatest Avro RJ operator with 26 aircraft. Swiss International has 24.

These aircraft have exceptional noise properties and are well-known for their great comfort. They are also reknown for their STOL capabilities.

Their greatest cons are the high fuel burn rate per passenger and the weaker engines.

Do you think that it was a wish choice for Bru.air to opt for this aircraft?
Do you think that they would have had better times now if they had opted for Airbus, Boeing or Embraer narrowbodies?

Have your say

FlightMate · Post by **FlightMate** » 20 Aug 2007, 21:25

good noise properties... outside of the aircraft, maybe, but I find it excessively noisy inside.

I'm not a frequent flyer (well, actually, I am, but not as pax), so what are you frequent travellers thinking about his cabin noise level, compared to other aircraft types?

To answer some questions, I think it used to be a wise choice when the fuel was cheaper and the capacity ideal for the airline's need. Now it might not be anymore...

NeilArmstrong · Post by **NeilArmstrong** » 20 Aug 2007, 21:26

Dont forget that its also the aircraft with the most fumes events in the world!
Lots of colluagues have lost there medicals and careers flying this type

http://www.aerotoxic.org/

Neil

teddybAIR · Post by **teddybAIR** » 21 Aug 2007, 11:22

Just wanted to remark that I remember reading that the leasing fees for the Avro's are quite friendly. That probably compensates for the high fuel burn, or not? Anyone got exact figures (leasing rates of Avro's compared to Embraers, Canadairs, Saabs,...)

euroflyer · Post by **euroflyer** » 22 Aug 2007, 13:43

Well, as a frequent flyer (as pax) over the past 8 years I have to say I always liked the Avro's quite a lot.

Especially in the 3+2 configuration still in use with Bru.Air and LX (at least last time I flow a Swiss Avro in 2006) and some years ago used by LH as well

it is a very comfortable plane to travel in.

The cabin noise level is quite high in the front, around rows 5 to 10 or so which are "next" to the engines, but for the rest of the cabin it is not that much different from most other small aircraft. If you sit in the last rows of a Canadairjet you have an even higher noise level (the engines are just in front of your "window" than as well).

Compared to other aircraft in use in Europe for regional flights especially compared to the Canadairjets the Avros are much more comfortable, you just have more space and it feels more like "a real" plane. And having 4 engines somehow makes the ordinary pax feel more safe (please, I do not want to start another discussion around the question if it IS more safe - just stating many people do have a safer feeling

)

However, with the arrival of the Embraers there is a very good alternative now in the market which offers a good level of comfort and which seems to be reasonable in operating costs as well. The Russian regional Superjet is ante portas as well and as the next generation of Avro's (RJX) was stopped in 2001 by BAe I guess in Europe Avros's will soon be just history.

By the way, I would have liked to see the Dornier 728jet flying, that would have been a good alternative, too.

euroflyer