The surprising upmarket move of Brussels Airlines

On Wednesday, June 12, 2019, Bertrand and I were invited by Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa Group, in the residence of the Belgian Ambassador, to discover the brand new product that will be deployed in all the airline’s long-haul cabins by mid-2020.

As you know, we have just made a near-total switch of our priorities to Star Alliance and we were really interested in this presentation. Return on an evening placed under the sign of the relaxation and the good mood.

Reception

Of course, this welcome is not directly from Brussels Airlines, but from the Belgian Ambassador, in his Parisian residence.

But the conviviality of the evening, the profound kindness of our hosts and of the Lufthansa Group communicators immediately put us at ease.

Nothing to do with the cheesy atmosphere of some press conferences that have nothing to envy to the public of the Oscar or Molière awards.

An updated Economy cabin

If the Economy cabin presented by Brussels Airlines today is not revolutionary, it is nevertheless up to date, with seats that recline obviously, but especially a High Definition screen and of very nice sizewhich allows you to enjoy the content of the IFE with a great viewing pleasure.

A very comfortable Premium Economy cabin

The Premium Economy class did not exist ten years ago, and yet, what interesting products!

Brussels Airlines has chosen to align itself with the other airlines of the LH Group on its Premium product with large Recliner seats (not shell) with a nice recline allowing rest and nap, maybe not yet sleep.

Here again, a real effort has been made on the IFE system with an even larger screen, and a large shelf between the seat doubles to hold a drink or snack.

The choice of not implementing a fixed shell seat is a real asset for tall people, limiting discomfort in the knees.

A very well-made Business Class cabin

This was the highlight of the presentation: the new Business cabin of Brussels Airlines will be equipped with Thompson Aero Vantage seats, similar to the current seats, but in a new version offering more privacy to passengers, and especially in a more elegant design than the current version, very gray.

Bertrand and I tested it in Full Flat mode as well as in sit/lounge mode.

If the lounge mode is rather comfortable, we have some doubts about the legroom in full flat mode, as the footwell is a bit small for our size. To be tested in flight, but the tones are very elegant, colorful without being garish.

In any case, the cabin plan will be very similar to what Swiss offers on its Airbus aircraft, alternating 1-2-1 and 2-2-1, with a rather high density, but which allows to satisfy all types of travel, for business or pleasure.

Again, the IFE is of excellent quality:

Bottom line

A very nice product, which makes you want to try it. More than the hard product, indeed of good quality, it is the welcome and the hospitality of our hosts that really made us want to try. To be continued!