Brussels Airlines 30 minute rotation: report in Berlin THF

[sn26567]

See my outbound trip in this thread.

For my return trip from Berlin THF to BRU with SN2586 on 1 April, I wanted to check whether it was possible to make a rotation in 30 minutes, as provided by the schedule.

Inbound flight SN2585 was scheduled to arrive at 16:25, whereas my flight was due to leave at 16:55. In fact SN2585 arrived at 16:33. All passengers were out of the plane at 16:38. Boarding started at 16:50 and lasted 9 minutes (16:59). Doors were closed at 17:00 and actual pushback had to wait for the ground crew (baggage loading, etc.) to have finished their work: it then was 17:04. Actual rotation time: 31 minutes.

There were 56 passengers on board of the BAe 146-200 OO-DJH (still in old colours) : 7 pax for 15 seats in b.flex, 49 pax for 69 seats in b.light. I was in seat 5F, not the best one, because the window is next to seat 4F, and behind it there is a space without window; I thus had a limited view.

This time I bought food and drinks. There is a quite large selection. I had a delicious ham/cheese/lettuce sandwich at EUR4.00 and a 33 cl beer at EUR3.00. Unfortunately, compared to SN Brussels, there was a downgrade of the beer: there is only Maes Pils (beurk!); no more Stella Artois. Only the quantity (and the price) went up: 33 cl instead of 25 cl.

Other prices were equally reasonable: EUR1.00 for a soft drink (only 15 cl, except water: 33 cl). You can also buy packages: sandwich plus orange juice + coffee for EUR6.00 for example.

No problems during the flight. Arrival at 18:30, 10 minutes behind schedule, due to late departure and landing on 02, which mahkes the trip a little longer.

Nice flight, if it had not been for the price. But I did not care: the company paid...

[regi]

Sad for the bad view.
I did not like the long landing on Tempelhof. ( stomach) But the airport itself makes everything OK. It is so unique.
They were late, so I would ask for a refund of at least 50% or an upgrade for a long haul flight. Even if it just 10 minutes, it means they are unreliable. It is not their concern what you do with 10 minutes. They shouldn't promote such a tight shedule. I think that the SN staff has a point to react against the 30 minutes instead of 40. ( I do think you wanted to make this clear )

[Comet]

There's nothing wrong with Maes. Think yourself lucky you can get it

I hope they still serve it on VLM.

[nldogbert]

Hi,

Great report on this "new" airline. Sad to see that my once favorite European airline has reduced to such a stage.

Price of the food looks ok for an airline. How was the value of the sandwich for what you paid for as in was it enough to satisfy your hunger?

Were the FA's as great as those on SN?

Sorry to say, but I don't think I will be flying them anytime soon.. sadly Might try them in the future if the price and place is right.

[sn26567]

How was the value of the sandwich for what you paid for as in was it enough to satisfy your hunger?

I must say it was quite fresh and good. The ham was nicely complemented by some lettuce and cheese.

Were the FA's as great as those on SN?

Well, hmmm, no comment!

Might try them in the future if the price and place is right.

The price is certainly right, now. I just booked 2 return trips to Budapest for 103.48 EUR, i.e. less than 26 EUR per segment (also less than the normal taxes in BRU and less than SkyEurope).

[regi]

Tempelhof will now - again - be closed. Berlin has declined the offer of German Rail to keep it open.
October 2008 it is finished.