Tag Archives: Airbus A330-301

Brussels Airlines rejuvenates its Airbus A330 long-haul fleet

Brussels Airlines has made this announcement:

Together with Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines invests in the replacement of seven of its ten Airbus A330 long-haul aircraft. Already one aircraft (OO-SFN) left the airline’s fleet. It is the most substantial investment project in the 16-year long history of Brussels Airlines and the first time ever that the airline operates long-haul aircraft that are owned and not leased.

With the new long-haul aircraft, Brussels Airlines will be able to offer its customers even more comfort, with quieter, more efficient and environmentally friendlier planes. Besides new aircraft, the airline is also investing in an entirely new cabin interior for all three travel classes, providing guests an even higher on-board comfort and a best-in-class travel experience on all intercontinental flights to Africa and the North Atlantic.After a comprehensive study where Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa looked at the current and future intercontinental network of the Brussels based airline, as well as at its capacity need for both passengers and cargo and the available aircraft on the market, it was decided last year to go for A330-300 CEO series. From an economic and operational point of view, this aircraft type is the best fit for Brussels Airlines as it brings many benefits such as a significantly higher range than its current Airbus A330 fleet and a higher maximum take-off weight offering more freight capacity.

While Brussels Airlines is currently flying with different engine types, the ‘CEO’ aircraft will all be equipped with Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines. This engine type that consumes less fuel and emits less noise and CO2, is already in use at several other airlines of the Lufthansa Group. Also for the Brussels Airlines Maintenance and Engineering Department, this harmonization and standardization is of an added value as it significantly reduces the complexity.

The replacement of seven of its ten A330 aircraft is the most substantial investment made in the 16-year long history of Brussels Airlines. In addition, it’s the first time ever that the airline operates its long-haul flights with aircraft that are owned by the Lufthansa Group and not leased.

The very first Airbus A330 with tail number OO-SFN successfully left the Brussels Airlines fleet on November 13, 2018.

In December, the phase out of OO-SFM (top) is planned, followed by OO-SFO, OO-SFY, OO-SFV, OO-SFW and OO-SFU in the course of 2019 and 2020.

The first two new aircraft, OO-SFC and OO-SFB, have started their operations in June. The refleet program will gradually take place in the months to come and will be finalized by the beginning of 2020.

Top Copyright Photo: Brussels Airlines Airbus A330-301 OO-SFM (msn 030) ZRH (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 939584.

Brussels Airlines aircraft slide show:

Brussels Airlines retires an Airbus A330-300 (OO-SFN) after 25 years of service

Brussels Airlines has retired its first Airbus A330-300. The pictured A330-301 OO-SFN (msn 037) departed Brussels on November 13 for storage at the Pinal Airpark, Arizona.

OO-SFN was originally delivered to Air Inter as F-GMDB on December 30, 1993, then to SABENA on July 30, 1997 as OO-SFN and later served with SN Brussels Airlines and at the end, Brussels Airlines.

At one time it carried “Music our freedom” special markings.

Copyright Photo (all other images by Brussels Airlines): Brussels Airlines Airbus A330-301 OO-SFN (msn 037) BRU (Karl Cornil). Image: 921439.

Brussels Airlines aircraft slide show:

Brussels Airlines introduces new Economy Light fare on North American routes

Brussels Airlines has announced it is now offering its guests a so-called Economy Light fare option on North American routes. The new offer is the cheapest choice for price-conscious passengers who are travelling with hand luggage only and do not require ticket flexibility.

Economy Light passengers have the option of individually booking a piece of luggage or reserving a particular seat against a fee, and to personalize their experience by adding services that best meet their needs. Meals and drinks continue to be free of charge for all passengers on board. The Economy Light fares start at €383 for a return flight to New York JFK and can be booked as of today on brusselsairlines.com or via travel agencies.

Brussels Airlines is introducing the new Economy Light fare on its North American destinations (New York, Washington D.C. and Toronto) together with Austrian, Lufthansa and Swiss as well as with its A++ joint venture partners United and Air Canada.

Copyright Photo (all others by Brussels Airlines): Brussels Airlines Airbus A330-301 OO-SFM (msn 030) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 939585.

Brussels Airlines aircraft slide show:

Philippine Airlines to drop the Manila – Kuwait City route

Philippine Airlines is dropping its route to Kuwait City, Kuwait. The last flight will be operated on May 16 per Airline Route.

Philippines aircraft slide show:

Brussels Airlines to add 10 new winter destinations starting on October 29

Brussels Airlines will launch its biggest winter season expansion in its 15-year history. This winter season, which runs from October 29, 2017 until the end of March 2018, the airline serves no less than 80 destinations from Brussels Airport, including 59 short- and medium haul destinations and 21 long haul destinations. Compared to last year, the offer includes 10 newcomers. In addition, two destinations that were already served in summer, are now added to the winter schedule for the first time. In total 13,359 European flights and 1,166 intercontinental flights are on the planning this winter.

Brussels Airlines welcomes winter season with ten new destinations

European offer

The short and medium haul offer expands with several new winter sun destinations. For the first time Brussels Airlines will set sail for Cabo Verde, Tunisia and Egypt. The Canarian islands offer also grows thanks to the addition of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Tenerife will become a daily service and Gran Canaria also gets more frequencies.

Bordeaux will be served several times a week and Madeira is added to the winter schedule. Popular city trip destinations Rome, Madrid and Warsawget more flights per week.

Thanks to the use of larger aircraft the seat offer increases by 25 to 50% on several destinations: Barcelona, Billund, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Hannover, Krakow, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Porto and Rome.

New Destinations

Almeria (Spain)	1 x week
Arrecife (Lanzarote)	3 x week
Agadir (Morocco)	1 x week
Boa Vista (Cabo Verde)	2 x week
Enfidha (Tunisia)	1 x week
Fuerteventura (Canary Islands)	1 x week
Hurghada (Egypte)	2 x week
Marsa Alam (Egypte)	1 x week
Palma de Mallorca (Spain)	1 x week
Sal (Cabo Verde)	1 x week

Summer destinations that are now served in Winter too

Bordeaux (France)	4 x week
Funchal (Madeira)	1 x week

Existing destinations with more frequency

Las Palmas (Canary Islands)	4 x week (+2)
Madrid (Spain)	up to 23 x week
Rome (Italy)	up to 24 x week (+6)
Tenerife (Spain)	7 x week (+5)
Warsaw	16 x week (+ 4)

Intercontinental offer

After the launch of Mumbai in spring, Brussels Airlines increases the number of weekly flights to the Indian metropolis to six. In Africa, Abidjan and Accra also get more frequencies.

Like last year, Washington D.C. is temporarily suspended during the winter. Flights resume as from March 19, 2018.