BRUSSELS AIRLINES FLIGHTS TO THE BIG APPLE SAVOIR VIVRE RETURNS TO THE AIR
A contact from Brussels Airlines has made a range of comments and pictures available, received soon after the airline launched their own nonstop flights between Brussels and New York, and only a number of already planned trips into the nearer and more distant region actually stops me from sampling this inflight spectacle myself – but do not give up hope just yet, it is my firm intention to actually fly on this service AND report, connectivity permitting, from the flights and the respective layovers.
And as I responded to the sender, it brings back those fond memories of the erstwhile Savoir Vivre when flying on the venerable B707 of the then SABENA in First Class and being treated like Royalty.
THAT seems to be back in the skies now and when the entire fleet of SN’s A330’s has been retrofitted by later this year with the new cabin product, it will be a choice airline to travel with, from Africa and to Africa.
Watch this space and enjoy the pictorials.
http://travel.bart.la/2012/06/09/brussels-airlines-new-business-class-new-york-jfk-brussels/#more-1797
Brussels Airlines new Business Class JFK-BRU
Posted on June 9, 2012 | 3 Comments
Pic: Brussels Airlines entrance at New York JFK Terminal 1 (Jun 2012)
Pic: Lufthansa Senator Lounge at New York JFK Airport (Jun 2012)
On Friday June 1, I joined inaugural flight SN501 from Brussels to New York JFK. I flew economy class and was seated on the first row (14D) in Y. As frequent Brussels Airlines flyer (almost weekly now thanks to their Flydaypromo) and Miles and More Senator, I was upgraded* to business class on the return flight from JFK to BRU. Both the hard and soft product were outstanding. I think my pictures speak for themselves regarding the quality of the hard product. The only two negative experiences I had during the BRU-JFK-BRU journey were out of Brussels Airlines control: A queue of almost three hours (!) at JFK Terminal 1 Immigration to enter the USA and a 1,5 hour queue on the JFK runway before take-off back to BRU. Not sure whats wrong with JFK airport, but I hope they fix these issues soon!
Pic: Brussels Airlines A330-300ER OO-SFM at JFK Airport (Jun 3, 2012)
Pic: My Brussels Airlines Business Class seat 4K on flight SN502 JFK BRU
Pic: Brussels Airlines new business class Seat controls (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines new business class seat in lounge mode (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines new business class seat in bed mode (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines new business class seat in bed mode (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines new Business Class 15.3-inch IFE touchscreen (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines new RAVE inflight entertainment system (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class headsets (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines new Business Class amenity kkit (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Aperitif Kir Royal (JJun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Amuse Gueule (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Menu introduction (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines longhaul Business Class Menu (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Dinner Starter: Herbed Sliced Beef
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Dinner Starter: Herbed Sliced Beef
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Dinner Main Course: Seared Arctic Char
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Dinner Main Course: Seared Arcttic Char
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Dinner Cheese Platter (Jun 2012)<
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Dinner Cheese Platter (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Dinner Dessert: Cheese Cake (Jun 2012)>
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Dinner Neuhaus Pralines (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines New York JFK to Brussels Sunset (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Breakfast (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Breakfast Fresh Fruits (Jun 2012)
Pic: Brussels Airlines Business Class Jules Destrooper Cinnamon Butter Thins
Remark: Ive put quite some effort in providing you with high quality pictures of the new Brussels Airlines hard product. Ive not posted all pictures I made during the flight, if you are looking for a specific detail (e.g. seat control instruction card) feel free to ask in the comments section of this post. Thank you.
1. BRU to JFK June 1st
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1352417-sn501-bru-jfk-innaugurationflight-01jun2012.html#post18689724
a complete new interior thhroughout the plane, award winning business seats with a 180° full flat bed, a 15 AVOD IFE system with connect ability for personal devices like iphones or ipads. The seats are nearly identical to these of sister company Swiss International Airlines but with some nice upgrades (bigger screen, etc ).
The economy passenger can now rely on a 33 seat pitch witch is more then other airlines offer in economy. A new AVOD IFE system, with hours of entertainment with 10 screens has also been installed. The IFE system features an USB port which will load your personal devices like an iPhone or iPad
Actually with the new seats, the AVOD IFE system and the very nice service from the cabin members you can actually say that SN is offering one of the best products on the Atlantic routes. As a frequent United Airlines flyer myself occasionally travelling with British Airways I can say that SNs product in economy is the best around.
SNs offering from BRU to JFK was an African Coriander Chicken or a Fish Ragout after tasting the salad I was quite surprised about the quality offered. It was certainly up to standards I was quite surprised that there were qquite some pieces of chicken in the dish together with a good amount of rice… After taking a bite of the rice and the chicken (which was in a sort of curry sauce)
I was again surprised about the quality offered.
The chicken tasted delicious, it was soft, moist and had a good taste to it. The rice was still moist too and tasted also delicious..
Never thought I would say this but damn, this was a decent quality meal.
flight attendants came by frequently and were very attentive, they would offer drinks on regular times and with a small touch on the call button the were at your seat in less then a second.
I rarely saw such a service, this gets more then 2 thumbs up from me. This level of standard would remain constant throughout the whole flight.
..state of the art IFE system . a quite uniquue system since its the wireless system of RAVE with all the content installed on flash memory build into the system. It features hours of audio The system was loadeed with loads of recent movies and Hollywood hits, thanks to the system one could choose from a couple of languages to have it dubbed or with subtitles. A lot of useful information about Brussels Airlines, the airports, etc was loaded and loads of games were also available.
2. JFK to BRU June 1st
http://echosjourneys.blogspot.be/2012/06/making-history-with-brussels-airlines.html
We were so happy to discover that Brussels Airline was child friendly beyond belief and the plane was gorgeous
All the games and toys I prepared for them were unnecessary, Brussels Airlines was 2 steps ahead of me! And that ain’t easy to do!
Zane insisted on the seafood meal that included a piece of fish, rice, veggies, and pasta salad. Alpha Poppa and I had chicken and rice with salad and a slice of cheesecake.
The back of each seat had a touch screen computers that offered movies, games, music, a real time global flight map, service call buttons, you name it… It was on that screen!
4 Responses
That does it! I’m getting business class membership with airport lounge access right now. Your photos of the bar, seats and food have just won me over. Now to see if I can claim it as a justified business expense.
That is a wise move … I had always good experiences with them … and thanks for reading my blog. W.
Can’t wait to fly from Brussels to New York. I’ve booked a flight with Brussels Airlines in Business and looks like you get treated well in business :).
SN surely brought back some style into flying …
Thanks for reading my blog.
W.