Speaking of AA in Brussels...

[Tatay]

Hello there - I was wondering if anybody had heard of any future plans for American Airlines in Brussels. They code-share with SN Brussels Airlines, that's for sure, but do they have any future plans in Brussels any new routes they're hoping to open up perhaps to Dallas or Miami or Los Angeles directly to Brussels?

Same question for other US carriers, any US carriers (CO, DL, UA working to expand in Brussels or change routes or add routes?)

[sn26567]

Rumours (but only rumours...) about a possible MIA-BRU...

[SN30952]

Hello there - ... do they have any future plans in Brussels any new routes they're hoping to open up perhaps to Dallas or Miami or Los Angeles directly to Brussels?
Same question for other US carriers, any US carriers (CO, DL, UA working to expand in Brussels or change routes or add routes?)

CO has plans in Africa that's for sure.
I wrote in Luchtzak Latest News (LLN) that CO was reducing its TLV frequencies, because they needed the aircraft. Well that one might fly to Nigeria.
The main purpose is not W-Europe now for the american carriers, I think Tatay. The strategy is to eliminate the european competitors on the N.Atlantic routes on destinations beyond W-Europe. Not to compete, to eliminate. Therefor they will have to consolidate their hubs on their East Coast -many airlines invested in new terminals cq ground equipment and are reorganizing their personnel depots - and fly as deep as possible over the W-European gateways, into the Middle East reaching the ME over the Pacific is too costly) on one hand. And on the other hand, flying non-stop to Africa, and building there a few hubs, from where they will 'radiate' and eliminate as much as posible traffic leaks to E.U-carriers. No more no less.

[Avro]

I don't thiink that we might see an expantion of direct US destinations out of BRU in the near future, except for MIA.

Chris

[SN30952]

I don't thiink that we might see an expantion of direct US destinations out of BRU in the near future, except for MIA. Chris

Wait and see...

[OrientThai]

Does someone know how is UA doing on the BRU-IAD-SFO route?
Thanks in advance.

[Kapitein]

Does someone know how is UA doing on the BRU-IAD-SFO route?
Thanks in advance.

In January of this year I took this flight (BRU-IAD) and it was completly full, there wasn't 1 seat more available. The returnflight (IAD-BRU) 10 days later was almost full maybe 20 seats open in economy.

[waldova]

Well I hope to get more routes one day from BRU to the USA. During Sabena there where so many US routes. Now most of the people use AMS or CDG or LHR to go to the states. Hopefully BRU will win these passengers back one day.

Hopefully it is true about AA to open the new route BRU-MIA!

[OrientThai]

In January of this year I took this flight (BRU-IAD) and it was completly full, there wasn't 1 seat more available. The returnflight (IAD-BRU) 10 days later was almost full maybe 20 seats open in economy.

Thanks for this info Brubiac, it's nice to see that UA is having good load on their flights to BRU. I also hope to see more US routes out of BRU.

[Badabing]

In general, transatlantic flights have a solid load factor, but there's huge competion, and profit margins are low. Tough market.

[themole]

Hello there - I was wondering if anybody had heard of any future plans for American Airlines in Brussels. They code-share with SN Brussels Airlines, that's for sure, but do they have any future plans in Brussels any new routes they're hoping to open up perhaps to Dallas or Miami or Los Angeles directly to Brussels?

Same question for other US carriers, any US carriers (CO, DL, UA working to expand in Brussels or change routes or add routes?)

American Airlines will not start-up a new route to Brussels without the commitment of SN Brussels Airlines. If SN Brussels Airlines doesn't make a move, American Airlines won't make a move either. It once more shows us that Brussels Zaventem Airport depends too much on the - dubious - strategy of SN Brussels Airlines. The same story in regard to the so called Asian partner that SN Brussels Airlines is seeking. Without a strong commitment, no partner ...

Since other US carriers like Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines are members of a global alliance with transfer hubs in neighbouring countries, I don't expect new routes to Brussels from their part. The question: 'why should they?' comes to mind.

American Airlines seems to be our only hope to have more non-stop links out of Brussels to the US, most likely to major American Airlines hubs like Dallas Fort Worth and Miami.

My conclusion is plain, simple and sad. The whole long-haul future of Brussels depends on only one carrier: SN Brussels Airlines. If SN Brussels Airlines doesn't join a global alliance - most likely oneworld -, none of the alliance members will make an effort to invest in Brussels and make it their continental hub.

Having said that, oneworld is by far the alliance with the least possibilities in terms of global coverage. Skyteam and the Star Alliance are much bigger and have undoubtedly more to offer. On the other hand, SN Brussels Airlines is getting more and more isolated in Europe. This is something that SN Brussels Airlines has in common with the oneworld alliance. Whilst other alliances are getting bigger and bigger, oneworld isn't growing much and the variety of potential new members is getting smaller and smaller. In that perspective, SN Brussels Airlines might match in the oneworld alliance, as oneworld hasn't got many alternatives left in continental Europe.

Some of you might think that SN Brussels Airlines will join the oneworld alliance anytime soon, since SN Brussels Airlines has so many codesharing agreements with oneworld alliance members? In that case you should know better, since SN Brussels Airlines is willing to codeshare with any carrier. SN Brussels Airlines is already ironically called 'SN Operated By Airlines' by industry insiders ...

And what about the advantages of a commitment of American Airlines with SN Brussels Airlines then? From the point of view of American Airlines, Brussels is a substitute for Amsterdam. As you all know, American Airlines has no Amsterdam operations. And since KLM has been committed to Northwest Airlines for years, and now also to Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines and especially to Air France, the Amsterdam door is closed for American Airlines. Given the fact that Air France and Paris CDG are also committed to the Skyteam alliance, the only sensible alternative on the Amsterdam-Brussels-Paris axis is Brussels.

What about the African routes then? SN Brussels Airlines is indeed the 'African' partner of American Airlines. But keep in mind that this is the result of the alliances that have been formed, rather than the 'good' SN Brussels Airlines reputation or network. The best 'African' partner that a US carrier can get is undoubtedly the Air France/KLM group. But since they are committed to Skyteam and consider American Airlines as a competitor or should I say intruder, that door is closed too.

What is my point? My point is that new routes and partnerships are rarely based on a possible demand only, but rather on alliance strategies and commitments amongst airlines. Since SN Brussels Airlines is not committed to one of the three global alliances, and therefore Brussels Zaventem Airport is not a continental hub of a global alliance, I predict a turbulent future for as well SN Brussels Airlines as Brussels Zaventem Airport. Sad as it is ...

I hope this gives you all some insight.

Just my 2 cents ...

[Sabena_690]

From the point of view of American Airlines, Brussels is a substitute for Amsterdam.

How do AA passengers reach BRU? Certain Asian carriers offer a busservice to CDG/AMS, other codeshare on the Thalys. Even MP have put their code on the Thalys train to AMS.

I'm not aware of an AA busservice from AMS to BRU and back.

Furthermore, with the very bad results of for example the (already discontinued) Eindhoven-Brussels bus-service of SNBA, I doubt whether an AA bus-service to BRU would attract a lot of customers.

This is something that SN Brussels Airlines has in common with the oneworld alliance. Whilst other alliances are getting bigger and bigger, oneworld isn't growing much and the variety of potential new members is getting smaller and smaller. In that perspective, SN Brussels Airlines might match in the oneworld alliance, as oneworld hasn't got many alternatives left in continental Europe.

Does SN have an alternative actually?

I can't believe that Skyteam or Star Alliance would set up an important base in BRU, with CDG/AMS and FRA/MUC being so close.

Not that a possible take-over of BA would result in a lot of improvements for longhaul operations out of BRU, imo.

BRU has missed its chance to become an international hub already quite some time ago I think.

Frederic

[sn26567]

American Airlines will not start-up a new route to Brussels without the commitment of SN Brussels Airlines....

Thanks for your very detailed and argumented opinion. It all looks like BIAC is more actively seeking to expand BRU than SN. But that is its role after all.

However, for the defence of SN, one should consider that it is still an infant company with a balance sheet that is at best slightly profitable. That does not give much room for expansion, either to North America or Africa (a 4th A330 to relieve the three existing ones?) or to Asia. That is also the reason for the many codeshares.

And from 27th October, SN will take over the African flights from Birdy. That is a sufficient cash drain to prevent any major expansion for the months to come.

[Badabing]

SNBA is low on equity, so impressive fleet additions are not to be expected from that side, soon. But since they are the only long-haul home player, they are BRU's best bet at this moment.
That doesn't mean there is no sufficient market to deserve direct flights to a number of long haul destinations that are now badly missing.

[ERICAIRLINES]

there is a certain market in terms of volumes,not revenues at BOS and YUL ,2 destinations where sabena was very popular,with once again good load factors but quiet poor revenues...atlanta is already served by DL ...but in dallas,sfo,lax,mia,hou...there is no potential for flights to bru

[AFApresident]

BA will most likely rather take over SNBA then to allow it into Oneworld .. I doubt if BA would be happy to transfer passengers from it hubs in London to Brussels . So SNBA should add a flights to China (or Hon Kong), one to Boston or Montreal, and increase some of the frequencies to Africa. While trying to get some feeder pax from both AA, and why not Cathay Pacific.


Additionaly once the Thalys station is completed in Brussels Airport, SNBA should offer service as well to Amsterdam, Antwerp and Cologne. (and codeshare these with AA and its other partners). All operated by Thalys but maybe one car painted in SNBA colors. (but now we´re dreaming 8) ).