Brussels Airlines' fleet renewal

[DannyVDB]

OK, but I assume it is to replace A319, no? Not just expansion ...

[skumfiduse]

OK, but I assume it is to replace A319, no? Not just expansion ...

That was my thought as well: to accelerate A319 phase-out. Either that or an internal move to cover for the discontinued A220-wetlease, combined with a tiny increase of overall seat capacity.

[DannyVDB]

I think that the discontinuation of the Air Baltic aircraft has more to do with the unstable financial situation at Air Baltic itself (?), and - if I understood correctly - LH/LX will take over again part of the FRA, MUC and ZRH flights (not sure where I read this)?

[DannyVDB]

I think that the discontinuation of the Air Baltic aircraft has more to do with the unstable financial situation at Air Baltic itself (?), and - if I understood correctly - LH/LX will take over again part of the FRA, MUC and ZRH flights (not sure where I read this)?

Also, having additional planes in the fleet is not only for the summer-time, but all year, so the Air Baltic solution would be more logic ... The new destinations in the north is also not a reason: too small and focusing more on the winter time table.

[oldblueeyes]

Are you all sura that this is a replacement of the Air Baltic capacity, or could it be an accelerated replacement of the 319?

[Atlantis]

I believe there are a few things here:

1. For how long the deal with Air Baltic was? Or is this decided year by year? Also Swiss is getting rid of them.

2. Air Baltic decided to not open the new route fron LGG. They will focus again on their own market and will reduce their own fleet.

3. The A319 fleet will be replaced, yes, when the lease comes to an end. I remember, but it was really some time ago, that more A320ceo would come in together with the neo's.

4. But why suddenly from ITA? good for SN of course. Maybe an opportunity to open more business related destinations

[oldblueeyes]

The initial deal with Air Baltic was 2025-27. Now cancelled for 2027.

I would suppose an accelerated replacement of the 319, as in thier configuration they may not be very efficient.

Just a simple wave of further rationalisation.

[Atlantis]

Not sure if the data is correct, EAF shows also a 4th A320 from ITA to SN. But only visible on the ITA side.

It's about MSN 3732, for the moment stored aircraft at Naples and visible as a transfer to SN in March 26. Not sure if this is a typo and should be March 27? But the age is the same as for the other 3 who will be transferred, 17 years.

[DannyVDB]

This would leave ITA with 4 A320 less ... I assume they will bring back into operation some A320neo then?

There seem 4 neo's in STD (long term storage, i.e. already more than 6 months).

Danny

[convair]

This would leave ITA with 4 A320 less ... I assume they will bring back into operation some A320neo then?

There seem 4 neo's in STD (long term storage, i.e. already more than 6 months).

Danny

Why are they storing neo's that are supposed to be less fuel consuming than ceo's?

[DannyVDB]

Same situation with LX.

I think there were some issues with these aircraft, they have other engines than the ones from SN which seem more reliable, but not sure that is the reason ...

Regards,
Danny

[Matt]

This would leave ITA with 4 A320 less ... I assume they will bring back into operation some A320neo then?

There seem 4 neo's in STD (long term storage, i.e. already more than 6 months).

Danny

Why are they storing neo's that are supposed to be less fuel consuming than ceo's?

P&W engine issues.

[Miqvell]

Not sure if the data is correct, EAF shows also a 4th A320 from ITA to SN. But only visible on the ITA side.

Not anymore.

[oldblueeyes]

This would leave ITA with 4 A320 less ... I assume they will bring back into operation some A320neo then?

There seem 4 neo's in STD (long term storage, i.e. already more than 6 months).

Danny

Why are they storing neo's that are supposed to be less fuel consuming than ceo's?

It's as here mentioned the P&W Engines issue.

You can recognize these aircraft by the number "7" as 2nd digit in their subtype , eg 271,272.
Globally, this issue shall be solved around 2028, but it's the main reason why many fleets were keeping CEOs for longer.

Simular issues apply to the A220.

[TimTam]

Hello ! Sorry for a long absence from the forum so perhaps my question was already answered earlier.
Nevertheless, if someone in the know would answer my question, I would be very grateful.

Have all A330 aircraft in SN's fleet been equipped with the new Econmy Premium seats ? 38 inches seat pitch and 19 inches seat width ?

I am asking because I will have to fly to some of SN's destinations in Africa this coming autumn.

Thank you very much.

[crew1990]

Hello ! Sorry for a long absence from the forum so perhaps my question was already answered earlier.
Nevertheless, if someone in the know would answer my question, I would be very grateful.

Have all A330 aircraft in SN's fleet been equipped with the new Econmy Premium seats ? 38 inches seat pitch and 19 inches seat width ?

I am asking because I will have to fly to some of SN's destinations in Africa this coming autumn.

Thank you very much.

Yes all the aircraft are fited with PY section, 21 seat on SFB/C/D/E/F/G/H/X in a separated cabin and 24 on SFJ/P/Q with a pannel divider Lufthansa style.

The service have been updated recently and is a good alternative to business class.

[TimTam]

Thank you very much !

[JOVAN2]

Lufthansa is picking up the ball again with the A321XLR.

The Airbus A321XLR has so far failed to impress Lufthansa – but the airline group will be confronted with the new aircraft in its own transatlantic network in 2026. According to media reports, Lufthansa is now internally considering an A321XLR order – and exploring how to mitigate a potential conflict of objectives.

[...]

Even though Lufthansa is currently hesitant to place an order, the A321XLR is a topic of discussion at Lufthansa Group headquarters. The "boutique business" shouldn't be left to competitors without a fight, a Lufthansa insider told aero.de in late summer. However, Lufthansa would likely prefer to be a "fast follower rather than a first mover" in this area.

According to sources, the A321XLR could see selective use by Lufthansa outside of its core airlines. Potential users within the group include the leisure carrier Discover Airlines, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines. https://www-aero-de.translate.goog/news ... r_pto=wapp

The A321xlr is now becoming the working horse of Iberia, Air Lingus, Wizzair ...in Europe.
Delta, AA, UA have orders for over 50....
Qantas goes for 36 in phase 1.
Indigo goes for 50 to 100...

All will use them for trans atlamtic routes between smaller but important cities. Qantas and
Indigo dame for Asian connections.

Nice to read that LH also got wake up call.

If we speak about the US carriers, their main markets are the coast to coast routes, formerly 757 driven.
But...Delta will try secondary routes to Europe, formerly not working even seasonal or low frequency.
IAG has 12 aircraft ordered, so let's not overestimate.

At Wizz the latest rumors are that the 47 ordered XLR would be converted into 10-12 XLR and the rest regular NEOs.

So let's see where the reality check comes in.

Now that UA and AA have announced huge expansion on US to Europe routes, with mostly daily flights to "secondary" destinations, it would be nice to learn about LH plans for this plane.
Reality check is near. UA and AA have done their homework already.

[OO-ITR]

2 will leave the ITA fleet in December 2026 and 1 in March 2027. I believe around that time we can expect them in the fleet of SN.

Very glad to see that this airline is not shrinking.

perfect ...3 more 18years old aircraft...so much for sustainability

[Matt]

2 will leave the ITA fleet in December 2026 and 1 in March 2027. I believe around that time we can expect them in the fleet of SN.

Very glad to see that this airline is not shrinking.

perfect ...3 more 18years old aircraft...so much for sustainability

With the P&W engine issues, new A320 neos are quite scarce. Everyone wants them (with the LEAP motors) Heck, they even started scrapping 5y old neos already due to these problems.

The a320 ceo's are very reliable, and, imo, we should welcome any planes coming in. Don't forget, 5 more neo's are already joining the fleet next year. That would make 10 A320's in the 2026-2027 timeframe joining the fleet.

Also: these are just temporary additions to transition faster into an all a320 fleet and get rid of the a319. I suspect there will be more a320's like these coming in. (coming from EW/LH/ITA/...)