SN Brussels Airlines

Introduction

SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) is the phoenix that rose from the ashes of Sabena in 2002, the former Belgium flag carrier which went bankrupt in 2001. Originally set up as SN Airholding in 2002 the airline merged with DAT in 2002 and became SN Brussels. In 2005 SN acquired Virgin Express which had operated out of Brussels and had a code share arrangement with the failed Sabena. On 7 November the airline assumed its current ...
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SN Brussels Airlines operate two classes on the London Gatwick to Brussels route. The concept is quite simple in this day and age of multiple class codes. 'Light' is the cheaper cabin in which passengers hold fixed economy tickets and pay for any food and drink. Up front is the so called B. flex economy cabin where, as the name suggests tickets are flexible. Other benefits are free food and beverage service and lounge access ... more

Introduction

SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) is the phoenix that rose from the ashes of Sabena in 2002, the former Belgium flag carrier which went bankrupt in 2001. Originally set up as SN Airholding in 2002 the airline merged with DAT in 2002 and became SN Brussels. In 2005 SN acquired Virgin Express which had operated out of Brussels and had a code share arrangement with the failed Sabena. On 7 November the airline assumed its current name.

Today the airline has 38 aircraft in service with an average age of under 10 years; these include 26 of the Avro RJ line featuring both the 85 and 100 models of this quiet jet. SNBA covers an impressive 90 destinations including a well developed network in Europe and a number of little served locations in Central and West Africa.

Prices, as with most airlines vary but within Europe at least include many seats targeting the more competitive end of the market. Short haul services in Europe do not include complimentary food and drink unless you are in the premium cabin, longer haul meals enjoy a relatively good reputation especially in business class.

Classes

SN Brussels Airlines operate two classes on the London Gatwick to Brussels route. The concept is quite simple in this day and age of multiple class codes. 'Light' is the cheaper cabin in which passengers hold fixed economy tickets and pay for any food and drink. Up front is the so called B. flex economy cabin where, as the name suggests tickets are flexible. Other benefits are free food and beverage service and lounge access for a set fee which I believe is £15 out of London Gatwick. Free access to the lounge is possible for members of the frequent flyer programme who use B. flex economy and who have sufficient status (I believe 3,000 miles) which can currently be achieved in three single flights on the London Gatwick to Brussels route.

My flight

Incredibly SNBA offers the only scheduled service from London Gatwick to Brussels. There are currently just two flights a day which is not really sufficient for a business traveller in terms of their timing or frequency. This may be the reason SNBA have long operated a code share agreement with British Airways (BA) who have regular services from Heathrow to Brussels. I have tended to use BA services from Heathrow because of the timing but Gatwick is a far better departure point for me.

I do not care for flights that are not fully inclusive but for what is likely to be my last visit to Brussels for sometime I decided to try SNBA in the 'Light' cabin. As I had to travel on a Sunday afternoon this worked well as the 17:25 departure arrives in Brussels at 19:30. The return was less suitable so I had to use Eurostar (BA having no discounted flights available on their later services into London).

It is possible to get a fare on the Gatwick to Brussels route from only £30 through the airlines UK strand of the website (http://www.brusselsairlines.co.uk/en%5Fuk/home/) but you can pay a lot more, especially if you make the mistake (as I shamefully did) of booking through BA; it transpires that they charge significantly more on SNBA services. This particular problem will not however be an issue for Ciao readers as you will discover.

Check in

I usually check in on line (one reason for booking though BA) but the system declared it could not check me in. I was advised to go to a BA desk at the airport. I also tried the auto check in at the airport but again no joy, just to go to the BA desk. So, to recap I had a BA issued ticket with a BA flight code and two separate instructions to report to the BA desk so of course that was where I went. Right place? Well, I thought it was right but apparently not; a very unpleasant woman curtly told me BA no longer handled SNBA flights and I was to go to some far flung corner of the terminal to check in. I queried this news as I had only booked a week previously and received a short and curt response to the effect that this was how things were.

This was not a good start and when I made my way the Aviance check in area where there was no evidence of the SN Brussels check in being open. I was told I may have to wait a hour as they concluded the check in for another operators flight to Accra. For those who do not know Aviance provide ground services for multiple airlines so they have to set up individual desks according to the flight. As I stood at the desk a small but steady stream of other disgruntled passengers who had possibly got a flea in the ear from the same obnoxious woman on the BA service desk began arrive.

Happily it took rather less than the hour forecast to do this and a friendly and helpful check in crew member explained that they were new to checking into SN Brussels Airlines flights but that she understood check in was now possible through the SNBA website. She checked us in quickly and efficiently but without asking about seat preference or, more worryingly, the usual security questions.

Security

If security at Heathrow is bad at Gatwick it is possibly even worse. The queue was huge but it moved quicker than I had anticipated and I was through in about 25 minutes. BAA have a target to get everyone through in 10 minutes; quite how they will ever achieve that objective in the short to medium term is difficult to see.

Airside

Gatwick North is for my money a little nicer than Heathrow Terminals 1-3 but not as good as 4. I met another business traveller on my flight who had a BA frequent flyer card and who offered to bring me into the lounge as his guest. I gratefully accepted but half suspected what was going to happen.

When we got to the lounge we were told that SN Brussels Airlines had withdrawn from their agreement with BA and hence BA would not honour the privileges in terms of bringing guests. To the credit the ladies we conversed with were far more pleasant than their sister back landside. They explained acute embarrassment that passengers booking with BA were being treated in this manner and even showed correspondence that proved they had argued for status card holders who had booked with BA to be allowed in the lounge but pointed out that the guest clause was not included in this, a decision they felt was wrong. After some friendly discussion and negotiation they decided to make an exception and allow me to enter. They did however warn us that they were not allowed to show details of the SNBA flight on the monitor or make any announcement. Beyond their control and I imagine SN Brussels too but nevertheless pathetic and petty rules from above.

The lounge at Gatwick North is very nice being spread over two floors with large glass windows. Food is a bit limited but there are a nice selection of sweet fingers such as cherry shortbread and the like to go with good quality coffee. There is a wide range of alcoholic drinks but true to form in the UK, Champagne is not served (I guess it is a differential they can point to against the adjacent First Class lounge). A very good range of papers and magazines were available.

Ciao readers need to keep in mind that the lounge provider henceforth will be Aviance; I believe their lounge is not of comparable quality to the BA lounge. As above access will be possible only for passengers in the premium cabin and then for a fee unless the required membership status is held. I assume (but cannot confirm) those who are on a longer haul business class flight will get free access.

Boarding

We set off for the gate in good time in the absence of a pre-boarding call. The lower cost airlines are often located furthest from the terminal building but our flight was from a gate not far from the lounge. Boarding commenced well before the scheduled departure time and those passengers in the premium cabin were invited forward first along with members of SN Brussels Airlines 'Privilege' club. This seemed to be most of the plane but it did not matter as now passengers can only take one bag on a plan space is not such a premium.

When I boarded, with a smile and a greeting I should note, I observed it was a Avro RJ85. This particular aircraft was branded with the newest logo, a simple dark blue and orange design. Many SNBA aircraft (including I believe all that operate the longer haul routes) have the an older S symbol in blue which apparently stands for Sabina.

In the cabin the small plane (I think the capacity of the model I flew was 85) felt deceptively spacious. Seats are arranged throughout in a 2-3 configuration and are covered in navy leather. The premium section was only the front two rows on this flight but I noticed that this was an adjustable arrangement. There was ample storage for my pull along case which is at the top end of spectrum for baggage dimensions. Sitting down leg room was not too bad either compared for example to some of the smaller craft I have used with Lufthansa.

I had been allocated a seat in row five which is adjacent to one of the four jets. This obscures the view from the window somewhat though as the wing is above the body it is still possible to see out from here. However, I had a middle seat so I could just see the jet.

The flight

The captain apologised for a short delay in our start up due to dense traffic in the Brussels area. We were however on our way quite quickly and took off on course to arrive on schedule. The usual safety briefing was given during the taxi for take off.

Once airborne the in flight service commenced; this was polite and professional throughout. A menu was handed out and passengers ordered. Prices on the menu were not excessive compared to many other airlines that charge. I had a premium brand 50CL bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin and a tonic for 5 Euro. The gin was chilled as was the tonic and it was served with ice and lemon just as it should be. It is worth knowing you must pay in Euros' if you wish to use cash. Cards are also accepted. The reasonable prices and (from speaking to others) reputation for decent quality meant many passengers ordered something from this service. I do not know what was served to those in B. flex economy. What all passengers did however get before the service concluded was a free chocolate; a small but nice touch.

Entertainment as one would expect on a 40 minute flight is limited to the b. there magazine. I must however observe that this is one of the best I have seen in recent times. It is not as glossy as many but it presents an extensive list of one page reviews of different capitals with a range of useful facts and recommendations; just what us Ciao users like.

Finally in respect of the flight itself I must comment on the exceptionally smooth take off and landing and the fact that the aircraft was indeed extremely quiet. It was hard to believe I was on a jet plane.

Arrival

We landed in Brussels on time and though exited by a bridge immediately had to go down steps onto the tarmac and board a bus to a different part of the terminal. From here it was still a good 5 minutes walk to the passport control. Thereafter in the absence of any checked bags I managed to exit the terminal quickly.

Overview

For what it was, and despite the difficulties arising from the apparently estranged BA relationship, I was pleasantly surprised and quite impressed with this service. It certainly offers an economic route to Brussels, especially if you are savvy with your booking. I paid around £80 for a single but did book quite late. As noted, a return for £60 is possible in Light, in B. flex economy inclusive fares are I believe comparable with the BA restricted business fare (around £280).

I have to say in economy value is good (or would have been had I not been fooled into booking though BA) and I will rate based on the best fares available as opposed to what is a now obsolete BA fare.

I wish (or if I was not moving onto a new position would have wished) SN Brussels had more flights from Gatwick on a daily basis. If they could mirror the BA timetable at Heathrow I am sure they would pick up more customers. With the Eurostar terminal moving to St Pancras those in the south of London and Sussex I have spoken to would certainly give some consideration to regular Gatwick service as an alternative to the train.

Oh no I can hear the green brigade howl and maybe they have a point in their argument. Nevertheless, in this area SN Brussels also does its best and operates the route with one of the most efficient passenger jets. 

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