Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is a relatively new airline,  born from an alliance of SN airlines and Virgin Express,   SN airlines as pretty much the beast created from the ashes that was the collapsed Sabena,  which was one of the oldest carriers in Europe.  We like the low cost fares,  good on time record and the comfort of the current fleet.

Our Rating      3 stars

One of the more interesting airline price and service structure's in the highly competitive European market -

b.light economy -  the cheapest airfares with no added extras,  buy your own food onboard,  fixed fares.

b.flex economy+ -  slightly higher fares,  more flexibility and they include drinks and meal during the flight.

b.business -  the business class service and fare,  although it is a good service it comes at a lower fare than you would expect.

Reservations -

UK  Reservations
0905 60 95 609£0,40 per minute

Belgium Reservations
0902 51 600 
€0,750 per minute (call setup: €0,051) 

USA Reservations 516 296 9500

Due to the high call cost to telephone the reservations centres, we advise booking online.

Book online here

History - 

SN Airholding was created in 2002, directly after the bankruptcy of the Belgian national airline Sabena, by a group of about 40 investors who wished to ensure the healthy development of the air transport sector in Belgium.

The primary aim of this group was to ensure the continuity of a reliable air connection to and from Brussels, the capital of Europe, and this in the context of the extensive perturbations caused by Sabena’s cessation. The new company was called SN Brussels Airlines, and it posted its first positive results as early as 2003.

In October 2004, it was decided that SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express would join together under the general ownership of SN Airholding, but would each retain their brand and operations independence in the market. Subsequently, in March 2006, the two companies announce the merger and presented to the public a new name – Brussels Airlines – and a brand new range of innovative fare products. Brussels Airlines is owned by SN Airholding and is backed up by some 80 years of Belgian aeronautical experience.

On the 15th September 2008, Lufthansa Group announced its purchase of a stake in the Belgian company. On 11 December 2008, Brussels Airlines was officially invited to join the commercial alliance Star Alliance. Since 9 December 2009, Brussels Airlines is integrated in the alliance.

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Brussels Airlines is a formation of an alliance between SN airlines and Virgin Express – an alliance that has existed since 2005 when the shareholdings of both airlines were placed within the single ownership group SN Airholding. Towards the beginning of 2006, the shareholders and board of directors decided on the innovative step of taking the two brands and forming one single airline.

Brussels Airlines is a new generation airline for a new generation of passenger, and as such it has inherited all its parents’ best points. Values such as flexibility, punctuality, reliability, excellent service, a multi-lingual personnel, guaranteed low cost fares and top quality are the order of the day every day at Brussels Airlines.

Brussels Airlines is the Belgian airline that offers the widest choice of flights to and from its base in Brussels Airport. The group has around 3000 employees and 51 aircraft that operate some 300 punctual flights daily, connecting the Capital of Europe to some 70 premium European and African airports.

On its European routes, operated with AVRO, Airbus A319 and Boeing 737, Brussels Airlines offers the choice of a premium service on a very high level: b.business, an ultra-flexible product, which offers timesaving and comfort at reasonable prices:b.flex economy + and a low fare product: b.light economy. On medium- and long-haul flights, the airline operates traditional business or economy class. Long-haul flights are operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

In addition to 16 destinations on the African continent, Brussels Airlines and its intercontinental partners also offer long-haul service to the United Arab Emirates, China, Thailand, India, Toronto and 33 other North American destinations via New York or Chicago.
Brussels Airlines is owned by SN Airholding and is backed up by more than 80 years of aviation experience in Belgium. On 15 September 2008, Lufthansa Group announced an equity investment in the Belgian airline. On 11 December 2008, Brussels Airlines was officially invited to join the commercial alliance Star Alliance. 

Fleet

AVRO RJ85 – AVRO RJ100

Number: 25

Most of our destinations in Europe are served by AVRO RJ8 or AVRO RJ100 aircraft. Brussels Airlines has about 13 Avro RJ85 aircraft at its disposal. This type of aircraft has 82 seats. Brussels Airlines also has 12 AVRO RJ100 with 97 seats.

Airbus A319

Number: 8

Some destinations in Europe and the Middle East are served by our Airbus A319 aircraft. Brussels Airlines has 8 A319 Airbuses, each with about 132 seats.

Airbus A330-300

Number: 5

Our African destinations are served by 330-300 Airbuses. A 330-300 Airbus has 284 seats, 30 of which are in Business Class. This type of aircraft can also carry cargo of about 30,000 metric tons per year.

Boeing 737-300 & 737-400

Number: 8

Many European destinations are served by 8 Boeing 737-300 and 737-400. A 737-300 can carry up to 142 passengers and 5 crew members, while a 737-400 can carry up to 164 passengers and 6 crew members

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KLM

UK Reservations               0871 231 0000  (24hours)
USA Reservations             1-800-618-0104
Head office                       31 (0) 20 474 7747  

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is one of Europe's oldest and most respected airlines, it can trace it's history all the way back to 1919. Year after year it's provided a good service, good on time record and stress free travel.   

Our rating  4 stars.

Typical Dutch hospitality onboard on the flights,  detailed below, make KLM a popular choice for many, plus the on time record is way above the European average.  KLM was one of the few airlines that operate the Boeing 747 - 400 combi,  which houses both passengers and cargo on the same deck.  Full details of their fleet can be found at the bottom of this page. Every year, KLM transports more than twenty million passengers. About three quarters of these people make use of Schiphol Airport, KLM's home base, as a transfer point. Transfer passengers, who are growing in number, use Schiphol to leave one plane and board another to fly on to their final destination. 

Since May 2004, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have become the largest European airline group: one group, two airlines, and three businesses. Each airline has retained its individual identity, trade name and brand. The three core businesses are Passenger Business, Cargo and Engineering & Maintenance. Both airlines run their own operations from their respective hubs Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol.

AIR FRANCE KLM Air France and KLM carry more than 71 million passengers per year. They operate more than 594 aircraft enabling them to fly 2,500 daily flights to 236 destinations worldwide. Members of the joint AIR FRANCE KLM frequent flyer programme Flying Blue earn Miles and claim rewards on both airlines’ routes.

Income

AIR FRANCE KLM’s turnover in the 2009-2010 financial year was 20.9 billion euros. KLM and Air France together employ more than 108,000 people. For more information about AIRFRANCE KLM Finance, please go to www.airfranceklm-finance.com.

Shares
AIR FRANCE KLM shares are listed on the Amsterdam, Paris and New York exchanges.

KLM 

KLM was set up on 7 October, 1919, and is the oldest airline still operating under its original name. Important milestones in its recent history have been the creation of a joint venture with Northwest Airlines (NWA) in 1989 and its acquisition of a holding in Kenya Airways in 1996. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is KLM’s homebase.

Air France

Air France was founded on 7 October, 1933. Its history has been marked by several major milestones, including the holding acquired in UTA in January 1990 and the merger with Air Inter in 1997. In June 2000, Air France and Delta Air Lines joined forces with Aeroméxico and Korean Air to launch the SkyTeam alliance. Air France’s main hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle is Europe’s number one in terms of connection opportunities.

Alitalia

In January 2009, AIR FRANCE KLM and Alitalia reached an agreement to strengthen their partnership. This was cemented by AIR FRANCE KLM taking a minority stake (25%) in Alitalia. This agreement places AIR FRANCE KLM in a unique position in the Italian market, the fourth largest market in Europe. 

SkyTeam Alliance

Air France and KLM are members of the SkyTeam alliance. SkyTeam is a global airline alliance. Its member airlines are: Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, AirEuropa, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Tarom and Vietnam Airlines. Through one of the world’s most extensive hub networks, SkyTeam offers its 384 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 13,000 daily flights to 898 destinations in 169 countries. all major destinations.

World Business Class

Enjoy luxury, attention to detail and personal care on your intercontinental flight. We’ll make sure your trip flies by!
Before departure
A business class ticket allows you to easily tailor your flight to your travel plans. But there‘s more:

 
• Extra baggage allowance
• Your baggage will be handled with priority
• Check in at our dedicated check-in desk
• Pass through customs and security checks using the priority lanes, where available
• Visit the KLM Crown Lounges and those of our partners
• Earn 250% Flying Blue Miles

On board
Let your worries float away as you sink into your World Business Class seat. Whether you want to grab some sleep or catch up on work, you will arrive at your destination relaxed and feeling fit as a fiddle:

• Sleeper Seat: 190 cm long, 175 degrees reclinable and equipped with a massage unit
• Privacy canopy
• Personal entertainment system
• In-seat power
• Complimentary World Business Class comfort kit
• International newspapers and magazines

Savour a delicious 3-course menu prepared specially by top chefs. All meals are served on quality crockery and accompanied with a glass of fine wine or other beverage of your choice.

Our cabin attendants are happy to help you with any request. Naturally, you can also take home one of our famous Delft Blue miniature houses filled with genuine Dutch gin!

Europe Business Class

Enjoy comfort and time-saving services when flying within Europe. With Europe Business Class, you can enjoy the ease of a fully flexible reservation, allowing you to change your flight at any time!
Before departure A truly smooth ride starts well before take-off:

• Extra baggage allowance
• Your baggage will be handled with priority
• Check in at our dedicated check-in desk
• Pass through customs and security checks using the priority lanes, where available
• Visit the KLM Crown Lounges or those of our partners
• Earn 250% Flying Blue Miles

On board Be one of the first to board the aircraft and enjoy lots of personal space! We block all middle seats, so they remain unoccupied. This way, you always have a window or aisle seat!

• Seat with extra legroom and more recline
• In-seat power on our Boeing 737-700, -800 and -900 aircraft
• Enjoy a free newspaper and your copy of the Holland Herald, our in-flight magazine.

From a luxurious breakfast to a delicious 3-course meal: depending on the time of day and duration of your flight, we serve a hot meal, sandwich, salad or tapas plate, and various snacks.

Naturally, our cabin crew will attend to your every need. Our Europe Business Class is located at the front of the cabin, so you are one of the first to be on your way again on arrival.

On flights between Amsterdam and Paris, Europe Business Class is divided in 2 zones. All middle seats are blocked in the front part of the cabin, whereas these seats may be occupied in the other zone. Both zones offer Europe Business Class services.

Economy Class - Intercontinental

Discover our high standards in Economy Class on intercontinental flights – and check out your seat and meal options!
Before departure

• Check in whenever and however suits you best: online, with your mobile phone, at a self-service machine or at the desk.
• Drop off your baggage at a self-service or regular drop-off point, and off you go!
• Do your onboard shopping before you fly. Simply place your order online and receive your purchases on board! Read more about Shop@KLM

On board

• Sit back and relax in an ergonomically designed seat or treat yourself to an extra comfortable seat!
• Pick up an international newspaper and your copy of the Holland Herald, our in-flight magazine
• Enjoy a good meal, refreshments, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. To meet your special dietary, religious or medical requirements, you can order a special meal. And on some flights, you can order an à la carte menu before departure!
• Have fun and relax with your personal entertainment system
• Find great deals in our onboard shopping selection

Economy Class - Within Europe

Travel comfortably, even on short flights!
Before departure

• Check in whenever and however suits you best: online, with your mobile phone, at a self-service machine or at the desk
• Drop off your baggage at a self-service or regular drop-off point, and off you go.

On board

• Enjoy an ergonomically designed seat or treat yourself to a seat with extra legroom!
• We serve a snack or freshly made sandwich, depending on the time and duration of your flight
• Choose from hot and cold beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Enjoy a copy of the Holland Herald
• Enjoy on-board shopping on flights longer than 60 minutes

History

Milestones in KLM's History

Sep 12, 1919	Queen Wilhelmina awarded KLM - yet to be founded - its "Royal" designation.
Oct 7, 1919	Dutch Royal Airlines for the Netherlands and its Colonies (Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij voor Nederland en Koloniën - KLM) was founded.
Oct 21, 1919	The first KLM office opened on Heerengracht in The Hague.
May 17, 1920	KLM's first pilot, Jerry Shaw, flew from London to Schiphol in a leased De Havilland DH-16.
Apr 4, 1921	Following a winter hiatus, KLM resumed service with its own pilots and aircraft: the Fokker F-II and F-III.
May 9, 1921	KLM opened its first passenger office on Leidseplein in Amsterdam.
Oct 1, 1924	KLM initiated its first intercontinental flight, from Amsterdam to Batavia (Colonial Jakarta) in a Fokker F-VII.
Sep, 1929	KLM started regular, scheduled service between Amsterdam to Batavia. Until the outbreak of the Second World War, this was the world's longest-distance scheduled service.
Dec 1933	KLM flew Christmas and New Year's cards from Amsterdam to Batavia in a record time of just over four days in a Fokker F-XVIII Pelikaan. The mail arrived in time for Christmas.
Oct 1934	The Douglas DC-2 Uiver won a "handicap" race - a flight with passengers and cargo - from London to Melbourne.
Dec 1934	KLM made its first transatlantic flight, from Amsterdam to Curacao in a Fokker F-XVIII Snip.
Sep 1945	KLM resumed service following the Second World War, starting with domestic flights.
May 21, 1946	KLM initiated scheduled service between Amsterdam and New York using the Douglas DC-4 Rotterdam.
Nov 1, 1958	KLM opened its Amsterdam-Tokyo service, flying over the North Pole using the Douglas DC-7 Caraïbische Zee.
Mar 1960	The Jet Age began with the introduction of the Douglas DC-8.
Sep 12, 1966	NLM ("Netherlands Airlines") was founded. This was later renamed NLM Cityhopper.
Apr 1967	Schiphol Center went into service.
Feb 1971	The Wide-body Age began with the advent of the Boeing 747-206B.
Mar 1, 1971	KLM opened its headquarters in Amstelveen, south of Amsterdam.
Nov 1975	KLM added the Boeing 747-306B Combi to its fleet, an important milestone for KLM cargo transport.
Mar 1988	KLM took over NetherLines European Commuter service.
Jun 1989	KLM introduced the Boeing 747-400, the most advanced 747 of its time.
Jul 1989	KLM acquired a 20% interest in the US carrier Northwest Airlines, an important step toward the creation of a worldwide network.
Apr 1, 1991	KLM merged NLM Cityhopper and NetherLines to create KLM cityhopper.
Oct 1991	KLM increased its interest in charter carrier Transavia from 40% to 80%.
Dec 1991	KLM introduced Flying Dutchman, making it the first airline on the European continent to create a frequent flyer loyalty program.
Jan 1993	The US Department of Transportation granted KLM and Northwest Airlines antitrust immunity, allowing the two airlines to intensify their partnership.
Sep 1993	KLM and Northwest Airlines started operating all their flights between the US and Europe as part of a joint venture.
Nov 1993	For the first time in its history, KLM transported more than ten million passengers in a single year.
Mar 1994	KLM and Northwest Airlines introduce World Business Class, a new product on intercontinental flights.
Jul 1995	KLM introduced Boeing 767-300ER to service.
Jan 1996	KLM acquires 26% share in Kenya Airways.
Jan 1998	KLM and Malaysian Airlines System announce investigation into commercial cooperation.
Feb 1998	KLM-Northwest Airlines alliance honored with ‘Airline of the Year Award’ by influential US trade magazine Air Transport World.
Aug 1998	KLM repurchases all regular shares from the Dutch state. The state retains cumulative preference shares A and priority shares with a franchise in excess of 14%.
Nov 1, 1999	KLM founded AirCares, a communication and fundraising platform supporting worthy causes and focusing on underprivileged children around the world.
Dec 1999	KLM was the world's first airline to attain ISO 14001 certification for its Environmental Management System.
Spring 2002	KLM announced the first phase of a fleet renewal program for its intercontinental aircraft - three Boeing 747-400ER freighters and eight Boeing 777-200ERs to replace the Boeing 747-300s; two more Boeing 777-200ERs to replace two MD-11s. KLM placed an order with Airbus for six A330-200s. Upon completion of the program, KLM's fleet consisted solely of Boeing 747-400s, Boeing 777-200ERs, and Airbus A330-200s.
Oct 25, 2003	KLM's first Boeing 777-200R landed at Schiphol. The aircraft provides service to Cape Town, Nairobi, and New York.
May 5, 2004	The AIR FRANCE KLM Group was born. On this day Air France redeemed the conditions of its share bid, allowing for the merger between Air France and KLM. Seven months earlier, in September 2003, the airlines had decided to join forces.
Sep 2004	KLM, Northwest, and Continental join SkyTeam, an international alliance of airlines, of which Air France, Delta Air Lines, Alitalia, Korean Air, ĿSA Czech Airlines, and Aeromexico were already members.
Jun 2005	AIR FRANCE KLM introduced its new, combined, frequent flyer program, "Flying Blue." It was the first time in history that two European airlines had joined their loyalty programs - exclusive service packages targeting loyal customers.
Aug 25, 2005	Aircraft manufacturer Airbus delivered the first of KLM's A330s.
Dec 2006	KLM was the world's first airline to introduce self-service transfer kiosks at which transfer passengers at Schiphol can print out their own boarding passes, quickly and easily.
Jun 2007	KLM introduced a unique partnership with the Worldwide Fund for Nature. The agreement includes hard and fast limitations to CO2 emissions and the corporate expression that, even in the airline industry, there are different and better ways of doing business. KLM views this cooperative effort as a crowning achievement to the steps it had already taken in corporate sustainability - efforts that have earned it the title of "best in class" in terms of energy efficient flight among all the major international airlines.
Mar 30, 2008	The Open Skies treaty went into effect, allowing airlines to fly freely - for the first time - between Europe and the US. KLM had long been a proponent of this treaty.
May 23, 2008	The US Department of Transportation granted antitrust immunity to KLM, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Northwest Airlines. This will allow these airlines to make better use of the Open Skies treaty, streamlining their activities and better attuning them to customer demand.
Dec 31, 2008	KLM becomes 100% owner of Martinair.
Jan 12, 2009	Air France-KLM takes 25% minority stake in Alitalia.   Revenue and income In financial 2009-2010 the KLM Group carried 20.7 million passengers and 473,000 tonnes of freight. Income in this year was 7.4 billion euros. KLM Group incurred a loss of 383 million euros. Employees On 31 March 2010, KLM had 31,787 employees. Technical maintenance KLM Engineering & Maintenance is largest aircraft manufacturer in the Netherlands, employing around 5,000 technical staff. KLM E&M and Air France Industries (AFI) jointly carry out maintenance, repairs and modifications on aircraft, engines, and components for the AIR FRANCE KLM fleet and various other airlines worldwide. Fleet composition The KLM Group fleet comprises 205 aircraft with an average age of 11 years. Destinations KLM expanded its network from Schiphol in 2009-2010 by reopening two routes – Aruba and Denpasar (Bali) – and adding a new destination: Calgary. With this expansion and certain adjustments, the number of direct routes offered by KLM (and its partners) from Amsterdam was 72 intercontinental destinations and 79 European destinations. At the beginning of financial 2010-2011 the new destination Hangzhou, China, was added to the network. Homebase and global hub Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Fleet compositon KLM Group
                                                                   Average age              number of  aircraft
Boeing 747-400 PAX wide body                       20.0                                 6
Boeing 747-400 Combi wide body                    15.9                                16
Boeing 747-400 ER Freighter wide body            6.7                                  4
Boeing 747-400 BC Freighter wide body             -                                    1
Boeing 777-300 ER wide body                          1.5                                   4
Boeing 777-200 ER wide body                          5.5                                 15
MD-11 wide body                                            15.1                                10
MD-11 Freighter wide body                             14.                                  17
Boeing 767-300 ER wide body                         -                                       4
Airbus A330-200 wide body                            4.1                                   10
Boeing 737-900 narrow body                           7.2                                    5
Boeing 737-800 narrow body                           9.8                                   40
Boeing 737-700 narrow body                           3.6                                   16
Boeing 737-400 narrow body                           18.4                                  9
Boeing 737-300 narrow body                           17.6                                  7
Embraer 190 regional                                        0.6                                  13
Fokker 100 regional                                         15.9                                5
Fokker 70 regional                                           14.3                               26
Training aircraft 7
Total consolidated fleet                                     11.0                              205

Air France

Air France

Reservations

Air France   UK      0871  66 33 777  (8am-8pm mo-fr, 9am-5pm sat-sun)

Air France  USA    1800 237 2747

Air France and KLM  one of Europe's largest and best know airline groups,  offer a vast network with over 550 aircraft.   The service on board is average with little to distinguish it from other airlines in the sector.   Many still believe that KLM have the edge, with more friendly staff although this is slowly changing.   The Air France on time record is fairly shaky,  only 62.5 per cent of its Long Haul flights arrive on time,  whilst 87.7 per cent of short and medium haul flights do.

Another key issue is safety,   whilst the airline prides itself on instigating a complete safety review,  by key aviation people,  it still has a reputation of doubtful operation.  Recently the wing tip of an Air France A380 struck the rear of a Delta CRJ aircraft in New York,  before that was an incident in Paris that required an evacuation of a Boeing 777 aircraft,  of course there is the downed Air France A330 aircraft over the Atlantic enroute to Rio in 2009.   That has claimed 228 people and whilst  there is speculation of maintenance issues the cause of the incident has yet to be established.  In 2005 passengers had a lucky escape when their Air France aircraft skidded off the runway at Toronto, down a bank and burst into flames.  Air France blamed Toronto airport,  but the fact remains that the crew landed way down the runway and as such there have been a number of lawsuits against Air France,  which its insurance has paid.

Other notable incidents with Air France aircraft include the famous flight296 crashing into the true at an air show.   There are many details still unclear of the crash including various findings, one of the most worrying aspects was not the crash itself, but during the investigation afterwards when it was found that the airline had presented 'black box' flight recorders, which were not the ones from the aircraft that crashed.

Of course no one can forget the horrific scenes of the Concorde disaster, which still haunt many and started the end of operations for the supersonic aircraft.

Flying Blue is the frequent flyer programme of both airlines and whilst has a good earning ratio, it is incredibly difficult to communicate with them for another other than the most basic enquiries.  One editor of a travel publication shared 32 emails and 16 phone calls to have his miles transferred to Delta when moving back to the states.


Our rating,  3.5 stars.

. The Air France and KLM networks have been combined to form a perfectly complementary network.  The hubs at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol are the cornerstones of this dual network linking Europe and the rest of the world, with 244 destinations in 106 countries.

With record load factors on long-haul and medium-haul sectors alike, Air France and KLM carried 71.4 million passengers in 2009-2010. 

It's true they do offer an amazingly large network and a fleet of over 550 aircraft,  most of which are under ten years old. They also operate 4 Airbus A380 aircraft.   Service is improving,  with a re-branding of economy and premium economy.