Brussels Airlines in 2023

[CRJ 900]

Tomorrow will be the first a320neo flight to Vienna.

Just noticed my return flight from FRA on Friday evening is scheduled with the new A320 NEO. Hope there will be no last minute changes. Very curious to fly this new bird

Feel free to share us a trip report with some images of the interior, if you want. And … enjoy the flight

Small report with a bit of delay:
I flew the new SN A320 Neo from FRA to BRU. (4th flight for the new bird according the crew)
A bit of luck during this trip as also LH changed type from an original planned A321 to A320 Neo (outbound flight from FRA to MLA) Had the chance to compare both planes. LH keeps the curtain between business and economy class and offers FlyNet.
I had 2 times a window seat at an emergency exit. More than enough leg space on both planes. Interior Neo looks quite spacious in general.
A very nice improvement is the larger storage capacity for trolleys and other hand luggage. They can be positioned on their sides so creating much more storage space.
Another noticeable difference is the noise. This plane is a lot quiter compared to the older A320 family.
Seemed the crew was also quite pleased with the new ‘toy’.
For the record: both flights uneventful, usual service and arriving on time at destinations.
Overall: A320 Neo is a very nice addition for SN and its passengers.
Will post some pictures later on.

[fcw]

I flew the new SN A320 Neo from FRA to BRU. (4th flight for the new bird according the crew)
A bit of luck during this trip as also LH changed type from an original planned A321 to A320 Neo (outbound flight from FRA to MLA) Had the chance to c
I had 2 times a window seat at an emergency exit. More than enough leg space on both planes. Interior Neo looks quite spacious in general.
A very nice improvement is the larger storage capacity for trolleys and other hand luggage. They can be positioned on their sides so creating much more storage space.
Another noticeable difference is the noise. This plane is a lot quiter compared to the older A320 family.
Seemed the crew was also quite pleased with the new ‘toy’…
Overall: A320 Neo is a very nice addition for SN and its passengers.

There isn’t any more space on the NEO, the opposite in fact, due to the lager bins, which are a nice addition, the NEO is a bit less spacious. Legroom is exactly the same.
As for flying it, the NEO feels more artificial, over-control and pilot induced oscillations are noticeable higher on the NEO.

[RoMax]

There isn’t any more space on the NEO, the opposite in fact, due to the lager bins, which are a nice addition, the NEO is a bit less spacious. Legroom is exactly the same.

In terms of seating it depends where in the cabin you look (compared to SN's standard A320)
- First row is the same
- Then you have 5 rows at 31" followed by 4 at 30" vs. 9x30" on the A320ceo
- First 9 rows are reclinable, at a higher degree than the (unitil now standard) Recaro seats
- Rear cabin section after emergency exits majority of seats is at 29" and some at 28" - comparable to the A320ceo
- The 21 rows of non-reclinable seats (same as LH/LX/OS standard, to be clear) have a backrest angle which is similar to the old Recaro model in reclined position (the Recaro 3520 upright position is really incredibly upright, the Geven seat is more 'relaxed' in upright position)
- Due to the other backrest design, not having anymore the 'fat' part with the deep literature pocket and table on top as on the Recaro 3520 gives 'another feeling' on head/chest level. Also the so-called shin clearance is a bit better on the Geven seat and the space to put e.g. backpacks under the seat in front of you is a little bit better designed

Overall the Recaro 3520 is not a great seat in terms of comfort esp. at 29 and 28" seat pitch. The new Geven seat should 'feel better' there, while in the front cabin section there is really 1" extra pitch on 5 rows vs. SN's A320ceo's.

But space is not just the theory as listed above, it's also a matter of perception and what a person looks at the most (intentionally or unintentionally) and that's different for everyone. Some will say 'great improvement', others will notice no difference.

On the overal cabin space, indeed with the new larger Airspace bins in fact they are a bit more intrusive in the cabin. Yet what makes a big difference vs. the older A320ceo cabins at SN is the LED lighting which is much 'fresher' on-ground (when pax are standing up and moving a lot) -- again; perception. Also helping in terms of lighting is when the bin doors are open, one of the LED strips shines through the opening created by the bin door, letting through a lot of light despite the open bin doors. That's not the case with the 'Enhanced' bins which really block a lot of light when they are open.

[fcw]

In terms of seating it depends where in the cabin you look (compared to SN's standard A320)
- First row is the same
- Then you have 5 rows at 31" followed by 4 at 30" vs. 9x30" on the A320ceo
- First 9 rows are reclinable, at a higher degree than the (unitil now standard) Recaro seats
- Rear cabin section after emergency exits majority of seats is at 29" and some at 28" - comparable to the A320ceo
- The 21 rows of non-reclinable seats (same as LH/LX/OS standard, to be clear) have a backrest angle which is similar to the old Recaro model in reclined position (the Recaro 3520 upright position is really incredibly upright, the Geven seat is more 'relaxed' in upright position)
- Due to the other backrest design, not having anymore the 'fat' part with the deep literature pocket and table on top as on the Recaro 3520 gives 'another feeling' on head/chest level. Also the so-called shin clearance is a bit better on the Geven seat and the space to put e.g. backpacks under the seat in front of you is a little bit better designed

Overall the Recaro 3520 is not a great seat in terms of comfort esp. at 29 and 28" seat pitch. The new Geven seat should 'feel better' there, while in the front cabin section there is really 1" extra pitch on 5 rows vs. SN's A320ceo's.

But space is not just the theory as listed above, it's also a matter of perception and what a person looks at the most (intentionally or unintentionally) and that's different for everyone. Some will say 'great improvement', others will notice no difference.

On the overal cabin space, indeed with the new larger Airspace bins in fact they are a bit more intrusive in the cabin. Yet what makes a big difference vs. the older A320ceo cabins at SN is the LED lighting which is much 'fresher' on-ground (when pax are standing up and moving a lot) -- again; perception. Also helping in terms of lighting is when the bin doors are open, one of the LED strips shines through the opening created by the bin door, letting through a lot of light despite the open bin doors. That's not the case with the 'Enhanced' bins which really block a lot of light when they are open.

Mods, we need a like button on this forum!

[DannyVDB]

There isn’t any more space on the NEO, the opposite in fact, due to the lager bins, which are a nice addition, the NEO is a bit less spacious. Legroom is exactly the same.

In terms of seating it depends where in the cabin you look (compared to SN's standard A320)
- First row is the same
- Then you have 5 rows at 31" followed by 4 at 30" vs. 9x30" on the A320ceo
- First 9 rows are reclinable, at a higher degree than the (unitil now standard) Recaro seats
- Rear cabin section after emergency exits majority of seats is at 29" and some at 28" - comparable to the A320ceo

Are the differences between the different rows 'on purpose'? I guess the reasoning is that the first rows are business anyway, but not always and certainly not 9 rows. Then the fact that for the remaining seats there is again a difference is bit weird, no?

I already noticed that some (tall) people bumped their head into the new bins because they take indeed more 'space' ... And on one side of the aisle it seems they take even more space than at the other side. Is that possible at all, or maybe it is because the different configuration at the two sides at the front of the plane.

Nevertheless, I think it is really good to have more specious bins ... I also noticed the better light. Did not notice the difference regarding the noise (so far, but I had only two flights with the neo, not SN though)

Cheers,
Danny

[lumumba]

In terms of seating it depends where in the cabin you look (compared to SN's standard A320)
- First row is the same
- Then you have 5 rows at 31" followed by 4 at 30" vs. 9x30" on the A320ceo
- First 9 rows are reclinable, at a higher degree than the (unitil now standard) Recaro seats
- Rear cabin section after emergency exits majority of seats is at 29" and some at 28" - comparable to the A320ceo
- The 21 rows of non-reclinable seats (same as LH/LX/OS standard, to be clear) have a backrest angle which is similar to the old Recaro model in reclined position (the Recaro 3520 upright position is really incredibly upright, the Geven seat is more 'relaxed' in upright position)
- Due to the other backrest design, not having anymore the 'fat' part with the deep literature pocket and table on top as on the Recaro 3520 gives 'another feeling' on head/chest level. Also the so-called shin clearance is a bit better on the Geven seat and the space to put e.g. backpacks under the seat in front of you is a little bit better designed

Overall the Recaro 3520 is not a great seat in terms of comfort esp. at 29 and 28" seat pitch. The new Geven seat should 'feel better' there, while in the front cabin section there is really 1" extra pitch on 5 rows vs. SN's A320ceo's.

But space is not just the theory as listed above, it's also a matter of perception and what a person looks at the most (intentionally or unintentionally) and that's different for everyone. Some will say 'great improvement', others will notice no difference.

On the overal cabin space, indeed with the new larger Airspace bins in fact they are a bit more intrusive in the cabin. Yet what makes a big difference vs. the older A320ceo cabins at SN is the LED lighting which is much 'fresher' on-ground (when pax are standing up and moving a lot) -- again; perception. Also helping in terms of lighting is when the bin doors are open, one of the LED strips shines through the opening created by the bin door, letting through a lot of light despite the open bin doors. That's not the case with the 'Enhanced' bins which really block a lot of light when they are open.

Mods, we need a like button on this forum!

I'm totally agree here!

[crew1990]

Are the differences between the different rows 'on purpose'? I guess the reasoning is that the first rows are business anyway, but not always and certainly not 9 rows. Then the fact that for the remaining seats there is again a difference is bit weird, no?

The rows behing the business is the so called "prefered zone" this is where fequent flyer etc. are preferably seated.

[fcw]

Are the differences between the different rows 'on purpose'? I guess the reasoning is that the first rows are business anyway, but not always and certainly not 9 rows. Then the fact that for the remaining seats there is again a difference is bit weird, no?

The rows behing the business is the so called "prefered zone" this is where fequent flyer etc. are preferably seated.

It’s not to please frequent flyers but because of the position of the emergency exits, which need to be aligned with a row of seats. There is not enough space to squeeze in another row of seats so the available space is distributed amongst the 10 rows in front of the overwing exits.

[crew1990]

Indeed, but as a mater of fact this is where we try to place the HON, Senator, frequent flyer etc

[sn26567]

Indeed, but as a mater of fact this is where we try to place the HON, Senator, frequent flyer etc

Any passenger can book a seat on-line in advance in these rows. But it might be more expensive.

[longwings]

O/D to overseas territories on which AF/KL now have a (near)monopoly?

Can't speak for The Netherlands. O/D travel to French overseas territories includes a large portion of government-funded travel that will not go to Brussels Airlines, however. Brussels Airlines would fight for the VFR/leisure market without having the benefit of a quasi-subsidy from the government.

I did not forgot to mention IAD, I actually did not mention it on purpose as I fear United could/will take over totally the route in order to free up 1 A330 for Africa. This part is less cristal clear and more into the grey zone. From a personnal point of you, I hope not, from a rational point of view this is probably what should/will happend.

If IAD needs a double-daily, Brussels Airlines will need to provide the airframe for a while. United is very tight on long-haul fleet. New 787s will start arriving in 2024 (H2 I think) however most of the initial deliveries will replace aging 767s and 777s.

Witness the 757 added to EWR for the Summer because United is sending as many international 777s to SFO as possible instead of swapping them for 787s to Europe.

That said, in 2025 or 2026, when US pre-clearance is open in BRU and 789s or 78Xs become available, opening MIA or IAH would make more sense than a double-daily to IAD, imo, one-stop service between BRU and Central/South America without the hassle of clearing US immigration at IAH or MIA, neither of which is quick or pleasant.

So, let us be happy with the X-mas decoration at BRU. And the exotic non-business destinations in sub,-saharan Africa.....

Lets not look for opportunies in Asia, India
USA.
Lets not use the unique location of the airport andthe catchment area of 2million.people.

Petit pays. ...

You claimed it would be easy (your word) for Brussels Airlines to steal market share, yet when asked for details, you provided none, and instead came back with that? Petit esprit...

[Conti764]

That said, in 2025 or 2026, when US pre-clearance is open in BRU and 789s or 78Xs become available, opening MIA or IAH would make more sense than a double-daily to IAD, imo, one-stop service between BRU and Central/South America without the hassle of clearing US immigration at IAH or MIA, neither of which is quick or pleasant.

How is the status of the US preclearance? Still on track? End of B-pier? It's quite silent about this upgrade of BRU...

[Atlantis]

That said, in 2025 or 2026, when US pre-clearance is open in BRU and 789s or 78Xs become available, opening MIA or IAH would make more sense than a double-daily to IAD, imo, one-stop service between BRU and Central/South America without the hassle of clearing US immigration at IAH or MIA, neither of which is quick or pleasant.

How is the status of the US preclearance? Still on track? End of B-pier? It's quite silent about this upgrade of BRU...

Bcs it's a political matter

[Homo Aeroportus]

OO-SFG that was AOG at Abidjan since 10DEC is due to fly back tonight. Ferry flight.
Difficult to have more detailed info locally at this time of the year after a heavy month that included a solid Safety Week.

H.A.

[nordikcam]

OO-SFG that was AOG at Abidjan since 10DEC is due to fly back tonight. Ferry flight.
Difficult to have more detailed info locally at this time of the year after a heavy month that included a solid Safety Week.

H.A.

I guess it will be tomorrow...

[longwings]

OO-SFG that was AOG at Abidjan since 10DEC is due to fly back tonight. Ferry flight.

What was the AOG? Engine swap?

[crew1990]

A ground vehicule wich hit and perfored the fuselage

[Homo Aeroportus]

OO-SFG that was AOG at Abidjan since 10DEC is due to fly back tonight. Ferry flight.
Difficult to have more detailed info locally at this time of the year after a heavy month that included a solid Safety Week.

H.A.

I guess it will be tomorrow...

Indeed, "your" tonight is correct. Mine was not.

Still planned to operate tonight as SN9902. Fingers crossed.

H.A.