notsosmart

Has anyone flown Brussels Airlines yet?

I have to fly a couple of people to Europe on my dime in a few weeks, and SN offers by far the lowest fare to my destination (not even close, really).

Has anyone flown them? I see they offer 3-4-3 seating on an A-330, which seems borderline criminal/impossible?, but I might do it because the savings are substantial.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Many thanks.

colmc

I don't believe that is the seating arrangement on the A330's. I'd suggest asking in the Miles and More forum where all the SN regulars are likely to be hanging about

notsosmart

Oops. My mistake. I just realized they're part of M&M.

And the seating arrangement is probably wrong - I saw a seat map with 3-4-3 but it looks like the middle of the 3 is always blocked out, suggesting 2-4-2?

Anyway, if anyone has any experience on SN, I'd love to hear about it. Have a week or so before I must book. Many thanks.

oliver2002

SN in C and Y seems to be a decent experience, I was very very surprised last Friday in C. A quick search for 'Brussels' brings out a deluge of threads...@:-)

notsosmart

You would think I would know that, wouldn't you?

chff

Just saw on seatguru.com that its 2-4-2 and Business Class is 2-1-2 & 1-2-1 like LX, better then LH

RTW1

It would be helpful to know the route and class you're booking....

The new BRU-JFK for example is substantially better than others.

Bluestar

BRU-JFK I believe is the first route to get the upgraded C class with the 1-2-1/2-1-2 config. I flew the first aircraft to be upgraded a couple of months ago and was impressed with the new cabin. I can't speak about the old C class, though, and it's likely to be some time before the entire A330 fleet is upgraded, so booking long-haul C class on SN on any route other than JFK becomes a game of probabilities.

kai.lileboo

The BRU JFK is the only route so far that is OK. With new C class configuration, so you might want to try it. But do not expect too much.
High quality customer care is not well known to SN.
Other short and medium flights are not good. Short pitch, too many rows and no space at all, in A319 and B737.
Besides 3 classes and if you are in coach you have to see front fows having a nice meal...
SN does not offer any free drink or snack on its european routes

MichielR

Opinions are personal, mine is different. I still prefer SN over LH's NEK.

It of course helps if you are in one of those front rows... There SN beat LH as well, with a wardrobe, proper champagne, Belgian chocolates.

In Y, there are Flex and Light. Light has BYO food, Flex has a free meal, newspapers, blocked middle seats if loads allow, fast track, C check in, ie all the goodies normally not associated with European Y. Soft product in the air is good, IMO as well.

Lounges and ground product are another story at BRU though there has been some improvement in the last years.

The C long haul new C seat is similar to the LX seat and will be on all aircraft shortly.

Guillaume Gillain

The new aircrafts only started flying on June 1, 2012, so it can't be a couple of months ago. Just saying.

chris1979

what's SN short-haul business class like?

flying them on Friday connecting to a long-haul flight with TG in F and wondering what to expect.

Given I have 1 ticket, assume TG F luggage allowance will be honoured by SN?

MichielR

Free middle seat (usually a whole row as C is mostly empty on SN).

Champagne, chocolates and a different meal. Fast track security at BRU and other airports. Two handbag allowance.

A good CI agent will allow your TG F bags on the feeder. Check what your e-ticket says in that regard, if you want to bring for example 3 bags or >23 kg ones.

hugolover

I had a short haul flight with SN the other day. Not flown with them for around a year. I noticed b.flex was now even worse, seems to be what C used to be. And C what b.flex was. On this 2h flight everyone received a sandwich that's it. Return leaves at 5PM and receives the same catering. Beer was Jupiler. No Leffe.

How long has b.flex been so bad and such poor value for money? Seems like another airline that's reducing the incentive to book a better class of travel and in this case the BOB catering is better. E.g. I can buy a Leffe but have to drink Jupilier which is Belgium's "common" beer, even though I've paid €600 more than in the back. b.flex is regularly €800 on some routes. Just fantasy money really.

Having said that, crew incredibly friendly, which is a pity, with such a crap product.

ambrogz

SN is really ok bru to NYC - all pax in C got a big box off neuhaus at the end of the flight

i love it as it s nonstop for me

otherwise i ll choose SR as their C class is the best in europe in *A