Brussels Airlines has revealed a brand new travel experience on board of its long-haul aircraft. By investing 10 million euro per aircraft in a completely new Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class the airline wants to offer a personal experience, recreating a boutique hotel feel at 30,000 feet.
Brussels Airlines aims to make the journey as important as the destination. With three new highly differentiated classes with quality products and the typical Belgian hospitality, the airline calls its newly introduced and retrofitted A330 aircraft “a boutique hotel in the air”, offering the same small scale personal experience as one finds in a boutique hotel.
THE BELGIAN TOUCH
Premium-quality material such as wood and leather have always been important when it comes to Belgian design. Belgian Art Nouveau and Victor Horta were the inspiration for the new A330 cabin interior. The dome light of the ceiling in the boarding area features an elegant Art Nouveau design. All seats feature rich 3D textured fabric, inspired by famous Belgian designers like Dries Van Noten.
As culinary excellence is key to Belgians, Brussels Airlines teams up with a Belgian Star Chef every year to design the Business Class menu’s on its long-haul flights. Next to the Belgian wines, coffee and premium Belgian chocolates from Neuhaus, personally served by the airline’s warm and friendly crew, the airline is bringing the Belgian beer and bar culture to the sky by including a self-service bar in its aircraft and offering a varying choice of 8 famous Belgian beers to all guests.
BUSINESS CLASS, A BOUTIQUE HOTEL FEEL WITH AN ART NOUVEAU SIGNATURE
The new Business Class brings a boutique hotel atmosphere with a classy Belgian design, far from a traditional Business Class. Throughout the whole cabin design, Art Nouveau patterns reflect the premium Belgian hospitality and bring a sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere on board, consistent with what the airline offers its Business Class guests on the ground in their flagship lounge ‘The Loft’ at Brussels Airport. The carpet pattern is inspired by the vault design of historical Antwerp central station while famous Belgian designers like Dries Van Noten were an inspiration for the design of the seat fabric.
Thanks to its small size of only 30 seats and its unique staggered configuration, the new Business Class offers great privacy in every seat. Guests can choose between a single and a double seat depending on whether they are travelling alone or with a companion. Completely adaptable to every guest’s need the new Business seat can be converted to a lounge sofa or a 2m long full flat bed with adjustable softness. This combined with the new lighting ambiance tailored to all flight phases, ensures a rejuvenating sleep for jet lag-free flying across time zones. Furthermore, the 15.6” HD screen can be tilted to adapt to all seating positions and includes high-quality noise-cancelling headphones.
Guests travelling in the new Business Class can indulge in a fine culinary experience. International wines & Laurent Perrier Champagne from Brussels Airlines’ award winning wine cellar selected by Master of Wine Fiona Morrison, accompany a four-course gastronomic meal created by a Belgian Michelin Star Chef. This year it’s Thierry Theys from restaurant Nuance who serves his menus on board. On top of the fine dining experience, Brussels Airlines brings for the first time ever a Belgian walk-up bar on board, located just behind the Business Class cabin, offering famous Belgian beers as well as a place to network with fellow Business Class travellers.
PREMIUM ECONOMY, THE MOST RELAXING EXPERIENCE
With its new long-haul travel experience, Brussels Airlines also launches a brand new travel class. The new Premium Economy Class is completely separated from the other classes, creating a quiet and relaxed environment with soft purple and blue colours. A premium seat with increased private space, comfortable cushioning and an expanded armrest allow to travel undisturbed. A 38” seat pitch (23% more legroom compared to Economy Class), a wider seat with a bigger headrest and a generous 40° seat recline allow for a relaxing sleep. Its warm and joyful design with a red touch is a signature of the Brussels Airlines brand. The 13.3” HD screen is one of the largest HD Premium Economy screens in Europe. On top of that, a large table includes AC & USB power plugs so guests can stay productive throughout their flight.
Like everywhere, Brussels Airlines offers its ever-personal service in Premium Economy, on top of an upgraded culinary experience, a water bottle and hot towel, and later during the flight ice cream as a movie snack.
ECONOMY CLASS: WARM, GENEROUS AND FRIENDLY
The new Economy cabin provides additional comfort for every guest. A playful design, inspired by the sunrise on the North Sea represents the warmth of Brussels Airlines’ Belgian hospitality. The new Economy seat features an ergonomic headrest offering increased privacy and adjustable neck support. A large seat recline, personal USB port and a wide choice of entertainment and games on a 10.1’’ screen ensure an enjoyable and relaxing flight, while each guest can enjoy a nice international meal with aperitif and complimentary beers, wines and spirits.
Brussels Airlines will introduce the first refurbished A330 in April 2019.