Brussels Airlines' fleet renewal

[CTBke]

that's just because they're not allowed to do cash transactions for SN... but on the other hand if you fly with them to Lyon or Toulouse , they don't speak French while SN crew does ...

but overall its just personal choice and preference

and you may be right ... I think they'll have some planes from Germanwings in order to implement the LH group fleet harmonization (out phasing of the RJ)

[crew1990]

Will some aicraft of SN fly for Thomas Cook this year or they will be no cooperation?

[CTBke]

there is no info yet about the new summer charters

[tolipanebas]

Maybe they'll add some more planes from FlyBe, would be nice...

Not more q400s, quite on the contrary even: one lease is going to be terminated at the start of the summer season.

The q400 was tested thoroughly and found to be operationally too limited to be widely used throughout the network. More Airbuses are going to be added instead.

[CTBke]

the main problem with the Q400 is the cargo hold which is not big enough...whil cabin space is very limited as well.. but on some routes the A319 will be too big (over capacity) like TLS, LYS, MRS,...

[Pocahontas]

During summer MRS is not that bad...

[convair]

More Airbuses are going to be added instead.

Can you tell more about that? How many? When?

[CTBke]

I think they'll add a A330 first instead of an A319/A320

[SFM]

According to Airfleets.net, SN is going to add another A320.
OO-SNG, S/N 1885, ex-Air France F-GKXF, age: 13 years

http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a320-1885.htm

[RoMax]

age: 13 years

First flight October 2002, delivery in December 2002. So let's make it about 11,3 by the time it starts flying for SN.
The current 5 A320's of SN have an average age of 11,1 years (according to airfleets).

[SFM]

age: 13 years

First flight October 2002, delivery in December 2002. So let's make it about 11,3 by the time it starts flying for SN.

Oops, misread the year as 2000... *facepalm*

[OO-ITR]

According to Airfleets.net, SN is going to add another A320.
OO-SNG, S/N 1885, ex-Air France F-GKXF, age: 13 years

http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a320-1885.htm

why SNG and not SNE?

[CTBke]

Maybe SNE is for a later order.. After all Sabena didn't started with SNA neither.. so no logical explanation

[brusselsairlinesfan]

Do they plan adding new dots on the european network? Or is it to add frequzncy? Or simply the first RJ100s retirement?

[hvs89]

why SNG and not SNE?

Because the reg of this aircraft was OO-SNG while flying for Sabena. It seems to be a kind of "tradition" to take the same reg for the aircraft that join the fleet and have been flying for Sabena in the past (or maybe another reason I'm not aware of?).

This "tradition" is also valid for some flight numbers, like SN515 to IAD.

[SFM]

why SNG and not SNE?

Because the reg of this aircraft was OO-SNG while flying for Sabena. It seems to be a kind of "tradition" to take the same reg for the aircraft that join the fleet and have been flying for Sabena in the past (or maybe another reason I'm not aware of?).

This aircraft did not fly for Sabena. It has been with AF since it came out of the factory.

The Sabena OO-SNG is now flying for Monarch as G-OZBK.
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a320-1370.htm
This plane is a little bit older, 13 years (this time I double checked, Romax )

[convair]

Now that the arrival of another A320 (OO-SNG) seems confirmed and member RTM is hinting that the last RJ85 (presumably OO-DJP) will be staying with the fleet for a while and the replacement decision will come this year, the guessing game can start again .

Looking first at the number of aircraft to be replaced (from 2015 onwards?):

1 RJ85
12 RJ100
4 DH4 wet-lease (as 1 lease will already be terminated end March, according to tolipanebas)

Total: 17 (if you consider the coming A320 as a "replacement" for the terminated DH4 lease).

A small number of A319/A320 seems realistic. However, taking into account the size of the planes to be replaced, a small fleet of smaller planes can be expected.

Turboprops?
I personnally like them, the DH and the ATR, but for me, and I believe for many pax as well, an hour flight in these is enough; I know people who do not fly them at all because of claustrophobia.
And they are not very popular in the LH group. To me, SN should only consider them at a later stage to open new and close-by destinations such as Rotterdam, Luxemburg, Nantes, Eindhoven...

So, a 10-12 aircraft fleet of a small jet can be expected. LH has both E190/5 and CRJ 700/900 but rather more of their higher capacity models.
I wouldn't be surprised if LH was to pass on to SN a number of their CRJ700s, while increasing its own fleet of the 900s.

To summarize my guess:

10 CRJ700 ex-LH
4 A320, making a total of 10
3 A319, making a total of 17

Comments/critics welcome! No insult please.

[RoMax]

From what I heard (but they are just rumours) the options SN was looking at A32F, CSeries or a combination. Meanwhile SN's decision is said to be presented to LH for evaluation.

Personally I don't think SN (or LH) wants to play around too much with the current generation regional jets and instead make a final and firm replacement at once. Of course it has to be financially viable...which is the big problem when talking about SN.

I agree with extra A320's/A319's, but not exactly with CR7's, I believe the CSeries will be part of the replacement (whith LH being able to place a follow up order under presumably nice conditions as an early and 'big' high-profile customer).

[FlightMate]

What about the superjet? Thought it was high on their list, 7-8 years ago.

[RoMax]

What about the superjet? Thought it was high on their list, 7-8 years ago.

Some airlines seem to be happy with the recent SSJ's (the early versions had some performance and reliability problems), such as the Mexican Interjet. Also RAM is currently operating one to test it (after also leasing an E190) before making a decision on a regional jet order. But I don't think a Western European airline will go for the Superjet...
I remember also Alitalia evaluated the Superject (as Italian companies are highly involved in the project, they were kind of forced to at least look at it), but eventually they ordered Embraers.

As Lufthansa Group is already a CSeries customer and claimed that the CSeries may eventually become the only regional jet in their fleet, I think the highest chances are on these aircraft if they decide to order new regional jets.