Brussels Airlines' fleet renewal

[Conti764]

Indeed a mistake. While the A321 (XLR/LR or Normal range) was/is a project internally worked on by SN and LHG, it's more for long term perspective to cope with slot cap imposed by the Goverment(s). There's no phase in to be expected on the medium-haul sector for 2025, except for the 4 A220 wet-lease from Air Baltic, which are already a massive increase in capacity for next summer.

Next summer will be interesting so as to see if SN can win back market share from the capacity reduction foreseen by Transavia in Brussels and can limit other groups' expansion in Brussels (aka Vueling)

Coping with slot caps means bigger planes. So if the A321 would be for upgauging the fleet, they'll go for the regular ones.

[Ge203]

Indeed a mistake. While the A321 (XLR/LR or Normal range) was/is a project internally worked on by SN and LHG, it's more for long term perspective to cope with slot cap imposed by the Goverment(s). There's no phase in to be expected on the medium-haul sector for 2025, except for the 4 A220 wet-lease from Air Baltic, which are already a massive increase in capacity for next summer.

Next summer will be interesting so as to see if SN can win back market share from the capacity reduction foreseen by Transavia in Brussels and can limit other groups' expansion in Brussels (aka Vueling)

Coping with slot caps means bigger planes. So if the A321 would be for upgauging the fleet, they'll go for the regular ones.

That’s what I meant. LR/XLR has been studied pre Covid and deemed unreasonable due mainly to the limited cargo capacity. Normal range A321 on the other hand is still a possibility for a more long term future.

[A321Lufthansa]

When should OO-SFB come back from the paintshop?

[JOVAN2]

Indeed a mistake. While the A321 (XLR/LR or Normal range) was/is a project internally worked on by SN and LHG, it's more for long term perspective to cope with slot cap imposed by the Goverment(s). There's no phase in to be expected on the medium-haul sector for 2025, except for the 4 A220 wet-lease from Air Baltic, which are already a massive increase in capacity for next summer.

Next summer will be interesting so as to see if SN can win back market share from the capacity reduction foreseen by Transavia in Brussels and can limit other groups' expansion in Brussels (aka Vueling)

Coping with slot caps means bigger planes. So if the A321 would be for upgauging the fleet, they'll go for the regular ones.

That’s what I meant. LR/XLR has been studied pre Covid and deemed unreasonable due mainly to the limited cargo capacity. Normal range A321 on the other hand is still a possibility for a more long term future.

Well, have a look at aeroroutes and luchtvaartnieuws and see how Iberia and Aerlingus plan Transatlantic with this plane.

[SLM]

So one aircraft still in Eurowings colours for SN? (OO-SNN)

[OO-PDM]

So one aircraft still in Eurowings colours for SN? (OO-SNN)

and OO-SFJ

[TimTam]

Indeed a mistake. While the A321 (XLR/LR or Normal range) was/is a project internally worked on by SN and LHG, it's more for long term perspective to cope with slot cap imposed by the Goverment(s). There's no phase in to be expected on the medium-haul sector for 2025, except for the 4 A220 wet-lease from Air Baltic, which are already a massive increase in capacity for next summer.

Next summer will be interesting so as to see if SN can win back market share from the capacity reduction foreseen by Transavia in Brussels and can limit other groups' expansion in Brussels (aka Vueling)

Coping with slot caps means bigger planes. So if the A321 would be for upgauging the fleet, they'll go for the regular ones.

That’s what I meant. LR/XLR has been studied pre Covid and deemed unreasonable due mainly to the limited cargo capacity. Normal range A321 on the other hand is still a possibility for a more long term future.

Well, have a look at aeroroutes and luchtvaartnieuws and see how Iberia and Aerlingus plan Transatlantic with this plane.

I fully agree with you. I presume there is commonality between all A320 "Family" aircraft (correct me, if I am wrong). The A321LR/XLR would be perfect, imho, to fly to BOS, but the big boss still wants us to fly East before flying West.

[Conti764]

That’s what I meant. LR/XLR has been studied pre Covid and deemed unreasonable due mainly to the limited cargo capacity. Normal range A321 on the other hand is still a possibility for a more long term future.

Well, have a look at aeroroutes and luchtvaartnieuws and see how Iberia and Aerlingus plan Transatlantic with this plane.

I fully agree with you.

Well, who would have guessed...

presume there is commonality between all A320 "Family" aircraft (correct me, if I am wrong). The A321LR/XLR would be perfect, imho, to fly to BOS, but the big boss still wants us to fly East before flying West.

Rather fly West first and onwards with UA. With A++ 'the big boss' does 't give a flying f*ck on what metal transatlantic flights are flown.

I know BOS is one of the most mentioned transatlantic destinations SN should fly to but with very limited - if any - connectivity in BOS, the route would have to rely on local traffic and I don't know if the volume between BRU and BOS warrants a direct flight, esp. on a carrier with a small fleet having to focus on other markets first.

[lumumba]

Well, have a look at aeroroutes and luchtvaartnieuws and see how Iberia and Aerlingus plan Transatlantic with this plane.

I fully agree with you.

Well, who would have guessed...

presume there is commonality between all A320 "Family" aircraft (correct me, if I am wrong). The A321LR/XLR would be perfect, imho, to fly to BOS, but the big boss still wants us to fly East before flying West.

Rather fly West first and onwards with UA. With A++ 'the big boss' does 't give a flying f*ck on what metal transatlantic flights are flown.

I know BOS is one of the most mentioned transatlantic destinations SN should fly to but with very limited - if any - connectivity in BOS, the route would have to rely on local traffic and I don't know if the volume between BRU and BOS warrants a direct flight, esp. on a carrier with a small fleet having to focus on other markets first.

Indeed, and I understand that what I say may seem a bit repetitive, but I think that it remains a good plane to fly to Luanda, for example?

[Conti764]

I fully agree with you.

Well, who would have guessed...

presume there is commonality between all A320 "Family" aircraft (correct me, if I am wrong). The A321LR/XLR would be perfect, imho, to fly to BOS, but the big boss still wants us to fly East before flying West.

Rather fly West first and onwards with UA. With A++ 'the big boss' does 't give a flying f*ck on what metal transatlantic flights are flown.

I know BOS is one of the most mentioned transatlantic destinations SN should fly to but with very limited - if any - connectivity in BOS, the route would have to rely on local traffic and I don't know if the volume between BRU and BOS warrants a direct flight, esp. on a carrier with a small fleet having to focus on other markets first.

Indeed, and I understand that what I say may seem a bit repetitive, but I think that it remains a good plane to fly to Luanda, for example?

Maybe, but would you integrate a new type for just one or two destinations where it can serve?

If leasing rates aren't too much different between the NEO and the XLR, they could integrate one or two XLR's within a bigger number of NEO's. But for long haul ops you'd need a dedicated C-class and I don't know if SN has any medium haul routes where a dedicated C-class would be succesful. Again, TLV maybe?

[crew1990]

I don't know if SN has any medium haul routes where a dedicated C-class would be succesful. Again, TLV maybe?

TLV, and EVN with 2-3 flight a week so not worth it

[lumumba]

I don't know if SN has any medium haul routes where a dedicated C-class would be succesful. Again, TLV maybe?

TLV, and EVN with 2-3 flight a week so not worth it

It depends on whether the Lufthansa Group also takes some maybe.
JFK could be another destination like a united with Newark a night flight or in the low seasons or maybe 3 flights in the summer I think the A321 LR/XLR is very flexible.
In addition, in Brussels we don't have any slots problems so we can use small planes.

[DannyVDB]

Hi all,

I see that OO-SFF is returning today from Singapore. That is relatively fast (a bit more than 3 weeks), so I guess it was a C-check rather than a D-check? It will fly to Dakar-Banjul tomorrow.

Shortly, also OO-SFB will come back I assume (paint-job).

So I assume another one will leave the fleet for maintenance or painting (Washington is not offered during winter, so that should work).

Cheers,
Danny

[DannyVDB]

Not clear why it makes a stop in Athens ...

[Delta Sierra]

Hi all,

I see that OO-SFF is returning today from Singapore. That is relatively fast (a bit more than 3 weeks), so I guess it was a C-check rather than a D-check? It will fly to Dakar-Banjul tomorrow.

Shortly, also OO-SFB will come back I assume (paint-job).

So I assume another one will leave the fleet for maintenance or painting (Washington is not offered during winter, so that should work).

Cheers,
Danny

OO-SFJ will go to LHT Manila for C-check on Monday.

[DannyVDB]

So it is going fast

How many facilities are used by the LHG for maintenance and painting: Singapore, Manila, Manchester, ... I assume these are 'specialized' in different types of maintenance (?). LH itself uses its own facilities (FRA), correct?

Danny

[oldblueeyes]

I don't know if SN has any medium haul routes where a dedicated C-class would be succesful. Again, TLV maybe?

TLV, and EVN with 2-3 flight a week so not worth it

It depends on whether the Lufthansa Group also takes some maybe.
JFK could be another destination like a united with Newark a night flight or in the low seasons or maybe 3 flights in the summer I think the A321 LR/XLR is very flexible.
In addition, in Brussels we don't have any slots problems so we can use small planes.

Any new model considered needs to fulfill some criteria such as suitable for more brands and critical mass at each base.

Any 321LR experiment can be done with ITA which is having already a subfleet.

[crew1990]

OO-SSQ performed her last revenue flight on 22oct from GVA to BRU

[VoloperTe]

Hi everybody,

OO-SFB is back from Châteauroux today ! Landing estimated at BRU around 5pm

Source : Flightradar24.com

[Duke]

OO-SSQ performed her last revenue flight on 22oct from GVA to BRU

OO-SSQ seems to be the second youngest A319 in the fleet, with 15,7 years quite young. Why is this one taken out of service, and not one the older examples with more than 22 years? Does it have something to do with flight hours and cycles? Or just end of lease?