Brussels Airlines in 2025

[Conti764]

Enjoy Business or Economy?

Economy

No frequent flyer here, and a family of four.

Sure like me we are 7 anyway enjoy

Thanks!

We took economy basic since you get the same seats, same food, same service accept less flexibility which we don't need since we're tourists visiting my wife's motherland and our hotel dates are fixed as well.
Took one extra bag for some clothing she's taking for family and gifts on our way back and selected our seats.
3800 euro r/t for four. Not to bad, if I compare to some other companies...

At the moment there were 2 cheaper options: LHR-KGL and back, but then ofcourse you need to get to LHR first. The second was my son's preference since he's an aviation enthousiast: BRU-DOH-KGL (QR 787 and WB 738) on the outbound flight. Return flight would have been KGL-EBB on a WB CRJ, then EBB-DOH on a QR 787 and DOH-BRU again on QR 787. Not an option for me, the total flight time return would have taken me to New Zealand and every airport transfer is a risk of losing luggage. And the DOH-KGL flight on a 738 isn't preferable either, since I already consider a 738 on a 3,5 hr flight to Turkey not very pleasant.

KL from AMS and WB from BRU weren't an option either due to price...

So all in all we opted for our home carrier and the A330 since we can have 2 x 2 seats at the window. Realy looking forward to it!

[lumumba]

Economy

No frequent flyer here, and a family of four.

Sure like me we are 7 anyway enjoy

Thanks!

We took economy basic since you get the same seats, same food, same service accept less flexibility which we don't need since we're tourists visiting my wife's motherland and our hotel dates are fixed as well.
Took one extra bag for some clothing she's taking for family and gifts on our way back and selected our seats.
3800 euro r/t for four. Not to bad, if I compare to some other companies...

At the moment there were 2 cheaper options: LHR-KGL and back, but then ofcourse you need to get to LHR first. The second was my son's preference since he's an aviation enthousiast: BRU-DOH-KGL (QR 787 and WB 738) on the outbound flight. Return flight would have been KGL-EBB on a WB CRJ, then EBB-DOH on a QR 787 and DOH-BRU again on QR 787. Not an option for me, the total flight time return would have taken me to New Zealand and every airport transfer is a risk of losing luggage. And the DOH-KGL flight on a 738 isn't preferable either, since I already consider a 738 on a 3,5 hr flight to Turkey not very pleasant.

KL from AMS and WB from BRU weren't an option either due to price...

So all in all we opted for our home carrier and the A330 since we can have 2 x 2 seats at the window. Realy looking forward to it!

Yes 2x2 is much more confortable anyway (big advantage to other airplanes these days 787,A350 etc...)sure if you travel alone you have more chance to have free seat and free access to the corridor plus a window. If you are senator and the plane is not full they always keep the seat free that's a very good service in the Lufthansa Group!
That's why I also like to fly TAP with there A330 900 there you can pay to have the seat free next to yours.
In your case it's 2 windows and free access to the corridor best option plus it's a day flight to go also very convenient.

[nordikcam]

To add to SN's lack of credibility... there is an Air Europa plane which is not flying to Africa and is not flying for anyone this Wednesday but they are canceling Douala Yaoundé! I think of those passengers jostled from one city to another, from one day to another, from one transfer to another! This winter is worse than the last!

[longwings]

there is an Air Europa plane which is not flying to Africa and is not flying for anyone this Wednesday but they are canceling Douala Yaoundé!

Is there a crew in BRU available and legally rested to fly the plane to DLA? Can a crew position to DLA in time to fly the return leg? Need a Yes to both questions otherwise that plane rightfully stays on the ground.

[crew1990]

It’s not even the main problem, Air Europa will fly exclusively to JFK as Air Europa have maintenance facility there and not in Africa. This is why Air Europa take over the 5 weekly JFK flights at the moment and no other.

[nordikcam]

Thank's for those explanations...but ...All the reasons, whether technical, management, planning, this or that, are obviously valid for everyone who works internally. From the "stupid" point of view of the average passenger, the one that I am, who flies a lot in Europe and Intercontinental...it's the opposite. If I fly SN in Europe "without much" difficulty, the SN option on long-haul flights has become unthinkable because it is too random...I am the first to regret this type of observation...it's a shame and sad.

[lumumba]

Thank's for those explanations...but ...All the reasons, whether technical, management, planning, this or that, are obviously valid for everyone who works internally. From the "stupid" point of view of the average passenger, the one that I am, who flies a lot in Europe and Intercontinental...it's the opposite. If I fly SN in Europe "without much" difficulty, the SN option on long-haul flights has become unthinkable because it is too random...I am the first to regret this type of observation...it's a shame and sad.

True!

[convair]

there is an Air Europa plane which is not flying to Africa and is not flying for anyone this Wednesday but they are canceling Douala Yaoundé!

Is there a crew in BRU available and legally rested to fly the plane to DLA? Can a crew position to DLA in time to fly the return leg? Need a Yes to both questions otherwise that plane rightfully stays on the ground.

BTW, the FIH flights currently make a stop at Yaoundé on the way back to BRU (presumably for crew change). Do they embark/desembark pax there now?
If not, why don't they take that opportunity, since they have personnel on the ground there anyway?

[oldblueeyes]

Thank's for those explanations...but ...All the reasons, whether technical, management, planning, this or that, are obviously valid for everyone who works internally. From the "stupid" point of view of the average passenger, the one that I am, who flies a lot in Europe and Intercontinental...it's the opposite. If I fly SN in Europe "without much" difficulty, the SN option on long-haul flights has become unthinkable because it is too random...I am the first to regret this type of observation...it's a shame and sad.

You just gave a valid explanation of why Brussels was allocated for a while within the Eurowings group and why it may be in the future a budget network brand, only.

If one is flying a network airline, the expectation is that time is travel crucial. On the other hand, the more budget and leisure oriented brands are promising less by default, in the eye of the client. Thus not overpromising in the brand positioning is key.

[lumumba]

there is an Air Europa plane which is not flying to Africa and is not flying for anyone this Wednesday but they are canceling Douala Yaoundé!

Is there a crew in BRU available and legally rested to fly the plane to DLA? Can a crew position to DLA in time to fly the return leg? Need a Yes to both questions otherwise that plane rightfully stays on the ground.

BTW, the FIH flights currently make a stop at Yaoundé on the way back to BRU (presumably for crew change). Do they embark/desembark pax there now?
If not, why don't they take that opportunity, since they have personnel on the ground there anyway?

It's only a return flight home anyway you have almost a daily flight from Yaoundé and to keep all the team at the airport is impossible they have there timetable already,organize a new team for this flight it's not worth it.

[JOVAN2]

Thank's for those explanations...but ...All the reasons, whether technical, management, planning, this or that, are obviously valid for everyone who works internally. From the "stupid" point of view of the average passenger, the one that I am, who flies a lot in Europe and Intercontinental...it's the opposite. If I fly SN in Europe "without much" difficulty, the SN option on long-haul flights has become unthinkable because it is too random...I am the first to regret this type of observation...it's a shame and sad.

You just gave a valid explanation of why Brussels was allocated for a while within the Eurowings group and why it may be in the future a budget network brand, only.

If one is flying a network airline, the expectation is that time is travel crucial. On the other hand, the more budget and leisure oriented brands are promising less by default, in the eye of the client. Thus not overpromising in the brand positioning is key. Oh

So the SN business plan is to perform poorly on all levels and aspects to chase customers away.
Thank you for your wisdom and
great insights in business.

[Atlantis]

It’s not even the main problem, Air Europa will fly exclusively to JFK as Air Europa have maintenance facility there and not in Africa. This is why Air Europa take over the 5 weekly JFK flights at the moment and no other.

It seems to go much deeper than that. There is an interesting article on that on Luchtvaartnieuws.
As we know, LH wants to buy a part of Air Europe. They have now the opportunity to check the performance of Air Europe to let them fly for SN for the next 3 months.
On this way LH will get a lot of internal insight.

[lumumba]

Thank's for those explanations...but ...All the reasons, whether technical, management, planning, this or that, are obviously valid for everyone who works internally. From the "stupid" point of view of the average passenger, the one that I am, who flies a lot in Europe and Intercontinental...it's the opposite. If I fly SN in Europe "without much" difficulty, the SN option on long-haul flights has become unthinkable because it is too random...I am the first to regret this type of observation...it's a shame and sad.

You just gave a valid explanation of why Brussels was allocated for a while within the Eurowings group and why it may be in the future a budget network brand, only.

If one is flying a network airline, the expectation is that time is travel crucial. On the other hand, the more budget and leisure oriented brands are promising less by default, in the eye of the client. Thus not overpromising in the brand positioning is key.

On Africa I don't see Brussels Airlines has a budget and leisure oriented brand (but more has a experienced Airlines on that specific continent)anyway I hope your explanation is not the good one.

[Atlantis]

SFD to be back in service as from Friday 28.02?

[oldblueeyes]

Thank's for those explanations...but ...All the reasons, whether technical, management, planning, this or that, are obviously valid for everyone who works internally. From the "stupid" point of view of the average passenger, the one that I am, who flies a lot in Europe and Intercontinental...it's the opposite. If I fly SN in Europe "without much" difficulty, the SN option on long-haul flights has become unthinkable because it is too random...I am the first to regret this type of observation...it's a shame and sad.

You just gave a valid explanation of why Brussels was allocated for a while within the Eurowings group and why it may be in the future a budget network brand, only.

If one is flying a network airline, the expectation is that time is travel crucial. On the other hand, the more budget and leisure oriented brands are promising less by default, in the eye of the client. Thus not overpromising in the brand positioning is key.

On Africa I don't see Brussels Airlines has a budget and leisure oriented brand (but more has a experienced Airlines on that specific continent)anyway I hope your explanation is not the good one.

You need to have some objective measuring. A Dacia is still a budget car, even if it's a premium offering compared with a donkey.

Let's try to summarize a litte bit the differences:

Full networker
- strong network by size
- high densitiy of flights, from 1 daily upwards
- high share of premium seats in the cabin and related client focus
- time plays a crucial role in the offering - from wave in the hub up to alternatives on rebooking ( income steam!) etc
- high share of corporate revenues

Leisure brand ( you can call it alternatively budget, niche markets etc)
- smaller network, higher share of P2P
- smaller density of flights
- small premium cabin
- more price sensitive customers, price wins vs time gain
- high share of out of the pocket revenue

I am with you in the evaluation that for African markets, Brussels is a "network brand" as it covers as well the corporate needs of the region. However, if we speak in general terms, the product itself is more in the second group as listed above.

There is no right or wrong here, just about managing expectations - eg the Brussels product in its niche markets is not designed to offer a high rebooking flexiblity or alternatives eg if some flights get cancelled, as the markets it serves do not provide enough volumes for such an offering.

[JOVAN2]

You just gave a valid explanation of why Brussels was allocated for a while within the Eurowings group and why it may be in the future a budget network brand, only.

If one is flying a network airline, the expectation is that time is travel crucial. On the other hand, the more budget and leisure oriented brands are promising less by default, in the eye of the client. Thus not overpromising in the brand positioning is key.

On Africa I don't see Brussels Airlines has a budget and leisure oriented brand (but more has a experienced Airlines on that specific continent)anyway I hope your explanation is not the good one.

You need to have some objective measuring. A Dacia is still a budget car, even if it's a premium offering compared with a donkey.

Let's try to summarize a litte bit the differences:

Full networker
- strong network by size
- high densitiy of flights, from 1 daily upwards
- high share of premium seats in the cabin and related client focus
- time plays a crucial role in the offering - from wave in the hub up to alternatives on rebooking ( income steam!) etc
- high share of corporate revenues

Leisure brand ( you can call it alternatively budget, niche markets etc)
- smaller network, higher share of P2P
- smaller density of flights
- small premium cabin
- more price sensitive customers, price wins vs time gain
- high share of out of the pocket revenue

I am with you in the evaluation that for African markets, Brussels is a "network brand" as it covers as well the corporate needs of the region. However, if we speak in general terms, the product itself is more in the second group as listed above.

There is no right or wrong here, just about managing expectations - eg the Brussels product in its niche markets is not designed to offer a high rebooking flexiblity or alternatives eg if some flights get cancelled, as the markets it serves do not provide enough volumes for such an offering.

Its very wrong to manage a company and trying to justify that only flying 60% of the long haul flights is a normal thing.
LH is loosing market share on the Belgian market after years of des-investing and making crazy decisions.
Your funny way to justify LH management decision decisions is pityful.

[Homo Aeroportus]

SFD to be back in service as from Friday 28.02?

Mañana ....


H.A.

[oldblueeyes]

@jovan

I didn't said at any time that cancelling flights is positive. Just that sometimes they are assumed as part of the game and the consequence among others should be a positioning as a value brand.

"Loosing market share since years" is a very relative thing.

First of all there was a COVID related cut. To harsh , as even LH expressed and recognized.
But to the contrary, there is a growth plan yet - under economical sustainability "must do"s - and i know that this is disappointing all dreamers.

You like it or not, the company is now in the shape of affording brand new narrowbodies and can expand its widebodies fleet. That's a pretty good job, given the fact that the brutal reality is that SN is and will be i the future as well one of the small brands of the group.

[Homo Aeroportus]

SFD to be back in service as from Friday 28.02?

Mañana ....


H.A.

Mañana ...

H.A.

[TimTam]

Thank's for those explanations...but ...All the reasons, whether technical, management, planning, this or that, are obviously valid for everyone who works internally. From the "stupid" point of view of the average passenger, the one that I am, who flies a lot in Europe and Intercontinental...it's the opposite. If I fly SN in Europe "without much" difficulty, the SN option on long-haul flights has become unthinkable because it is too random...I am the first to regret this type of observation...it's a shame and sad.

You just gave a valid explanation of why Brussels was allocated for a while within the Eurowings group and why it may be in the future a budget network brand, only.

If one is flying a network airline, the expectation is that time is travel crucial. On the other hand, the more budget and leisure oriented brands are promising less by default, in the eye of the client. Thus not overpromising in the brand positioning is key. Oh

So the SN business plan is to perform poorly on all levels and aspects to chase customers away.
Thank you for your wisdom and
great insights in business.

I agree with you, Jovan2. the big boss has positioned SN mainly as a leisure airline, not a budget airline as some might think, because fares are basically the same at SN than at the three "star dancers" of the the group. For those of us who might still hope that we could at least be an "aspiring star dancer", the downgrade to a leisure airline is clearly confirmed :

https://milesandmoremailing.de/mp/d9e74 ... 843b6.html

There will probably be someone to say that SN's niche market in Western and Central Africa is just a detail of the LH Group network and consequently a "normal" negligible part of the global operations. (Let's be clear, this is NOT my way of seeing SN).