Which A330 next for Brussels Airlines?

[Inquirer]

Does this mean that from February, there will be again more flights to Africa (after the reductions due to the refurbishments)?

Regards,
Danny

Indeed.

http://luchtzak.be/forums/viewtopic.php ... 40#p272645

That and an 8th A330 which will come into production in June will boost available seat miles by more than 15% on long haul next year.

Any news on where that additional plane will be used to and which you can already share with us, maybe??

[OO-ITR]

Any news on where that additional plane will be used to and which you can already share with us, maybe??

Maybe we can start another topic where we can guess which airframe it is going to be.

My propositions :

http://www.planespotters.net/Production ... -Swiss.php
http://www.planespotters.net/Production ... etStatus=2

[RoMax]

Certain other members already state (as mentioned in a certain topic, I believe that in Homepage Polls) that it's going to be OO-SFU.

[OO-ITR]

Certain other members already state (as mentioned in a certain topic, I believe that in Homepage Polls) that it's going to be OO-SFU.

I thought that next a/c would be an A333

[RoMax]

I thought that next a/c would be an A333

That was the idea yes, but if an A332 proves cheaper/better/faster available, why not. A333's are not avialable with large amounts and in that case it may be better to go for an A332 that fits your needs, than an A333 that's too old/has too many cycles, too expensive or has another problem you don't want.

[A330]

My propositions :

http://www.planespotters.net/Production ... -Swiss.php
http://www.planespotters.net/Production ... etStatus=2

Certain other members already state (as mentioned in a certain topic, I believe that in Homepage Polls) that it's going to be OO-SFU.

Why not the 10-year old A332 from MH in the second link?
By the way, I thought those ex-LX A332 were very old, but they are still considerably younger than the A333's SN already has in the fleet.

[RoMax]

Why not the 10-year old A332 from MH in the second link?
By the way, I thought those ex-LX A332 were very old, but they are still considerably younger than the A333's SN already has in the fleet.

OO-SFU is younger than the current two A332's I believe.
And why not the MH one, there may be dozens of reasons for that... Btw, I don't think these few years that the MH is younger would make such a big difference.

[A330]

And why not the MH one, there may be dozens of reasons for that...

You're right, I was too quick to reply. Engine type seems to be one of those reasons. Therefore I compiled a short list based on planespotters.net, showing SN has the following A330's:
OO-SFM, SFN & SFO: A330-301 - GE engines, 19 years old
OO-SFV & SFW: A330-322 - P&W engines, 18 years old
OO-SFY & SFZ: A330-223 - P&W engines, 14 years old

So already 2 different engine types. And LH and LX have A333's with neither of them, theirs are powered by RR Trent. Same engine manufacturer for LH's A346's and A380's. Their A343's are CFM powered.

Also, the MH bird may be younger, but perhaps it performed regional routes. In that case it might have done more cycles than the LX one, if that was really used for long-haul.

[convair]

According to Airfleets, SN has ordered former Sabena OO-SFU, an A332 that started operating in 2000.

[sn26567]

According to Airfleets, SN has ordered former Sabena OO-SFU, an A332 that started operating in 2000.

Certainly a good acquisition. It was the last A330 delivered to Sabena before the bankruptcy and it later operated for Lufthansa, Swiss and Strategic Airlines Australia.

It will of course recover its original OO-SFU registration (like OO-SFM/N/O in the past). That means four Sabena frames back into Belgian hands.

[HighInTheSky]

According to Airfleets, SN has ordered former Sabena OO-SFU, an A332 that started operating in 2000.

That is correct. Now stored at ZRH, earmarked for SN. At the moment the engines have been removed.
As soon as the engines are installed, a/c can be transferred to MLA for the new cabin and painting.

[sn26567]

As soon as the engines are installed, a/c can be transferred to MLA for the new cabin and painting.

In Star Alliance colours, like when it was flying for Swiss?

[Tomskii]

That would be great, finally a heavy jet in the SN fleet carrying the *A livery (although it is not the nicest but still )

[cathay belgium]

Hi,

As the bird was flown after *A Swiss by another operator,strategic airliners..
chances on a new *A aircraft are low,...
The paint is gone probably..
And guess SN prefer their own livery, which I fully agree.. ( or like Singapore,keep your own tail .. )

CXB

[Sabena320]

I think in the end we'll see at least one A330 in Star Alliance c/s (one of my favourites in the world btw) as I think it's obliged to have xx aircraft of your fleet in the alliance colors, isn't it?

[RoMax]

I think in the end we'll see at least one A330 in Star Alliance c/s (one of my favourites in the world btw) as I think it's obliged to have xx aircraft of your fleet in the alliance colors, isn't it?

A certain percentage of the airline's fleet should be in the Star-colors, but don't think any airline gets to that percentage (or maybe Adria or so who has such a small fleet that one aircraft is already quite a percentage xp ). Airlines still prefere their own brand with Star comming on the second place.
I don't think this or the next A330 of SN will see the new colors. They currently prefere to enforce the brand in North-America and Africa, or at least they should. But maybe number 10 or so?

[sn26567]

And, btw, does anyone know when the well-needed latest acquisition A332 will join the SN fleet?

Freshly-painted OO-SFU must still go to Malta for installation of new seats.
http://instagram.com/p/XKa7AElvgv/

[shockcooling]

And, btw, does anyone know when the well-needed latest acquisition A332 will join the SN fleet?

Freshly-painted OO-SFU must still go to Malta for installation of new seats.
http://instagram.com/p/XKa7AElvgv/

Or even better
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J5mLUrpwEFs/U ... Ldepaa.jpg

[convair]

Thank you all.

[convair]

And, btw, it is now on its way to BRU from MAN as M-ABFL.