Brussels Airlines' fleet renewal

[HQ_BRU_Lover]

Any news on the introduction of SBA into regular OPS? Saw it parked in front of the hangar and according to FR24, no flights have been made yet out of BRU. Curious to see when to expect the first revenue flight(s).

[sn26567]

Any news on the introduction of SBA into regular OPS? Saw it parked in front of the hangar and according to FR24, no flights have been made yet out of BRU. Curious to see when to expect the first revenue flight(s).

Brussels Airlines said the first commercial flight would take off approximately 4 weeks after delivery. A lot of specific work still needs to be performed inside the plane.

[HQ_BRU_Lover]

From an outsider point-of-view, this looks rather long and I would expect the plane to come more "customized" to SN. Anyone has some high-level explanations about why all these modifications are being done at BRU and not by default at TLS before delivering the aircraft? Thanks.

[crew1990]

Some connectivity in the flightdeck need to be added meaning that electrical wire need to be installed through the aircraft wich can take some time, all the equipment need to be added to be conform to the SN operation. Everything added on the aircraft need a certification and a lot of paper and administrative task.

[HQ_BRU_Lover]

Thanks crew1990, sounds logical indeed.

[Lux_avi]

Thanks crew1990, sounds logical indeed.

That still doesn't really explain the 4 weeks timeframe IMHO.
TUI never took that long between the 1st commercial flight and the delivery of its brand new planes. That includes new types under the very slow BCAA.

[Sabena320]

That still doesn't really explain the 4 weeks timeframe IMHO.
TUI never took that long between the 1st commercial flight and the delivery of its brand new planes. That includes new types under the very slow BCAA.

We're speaking Airbus here, not Boeing.

Remember United receiving its first A321neo in October? The aircraft spent 3 weeks on the ground in Houston before its first flight. It all depends on the things you want to install or have in the aircraft.

[Lux_avi]

We're speaking Airbus here, not Boeing.

Remember United receiving its first A321neo in October? The aircraft spent 3 weeks on the ground in Houston before its first flight. It all depends on the things you want to install or have in the aircraft.

Remember TUI receiving 3x E2's as well?

I'm just wondering what takes 4 weeks to get it ready to its 1st commercial flight.
Things that need to be installed in a cockpit would be the EFB. What else?

It's only a question, not a critic or whatsoever.

[longwings]

Even on same type and series, you can’t compare an airline to another, because each operator gets to choose what equipment it will install in-house vs having it installed at the factory. A previous poster mentioned Brussels is installing a cabin communication system, a little more complex than loading the EFB.

Also they need to perform conformity checks to validate the updated manuals and training programs that were prepped before delivery. Most of the training was also done before delivery, but there is a hands-on component as well. It takes from a few days to a few weeks depending on the team. Then and only then will regulatory approval be granted.

Four weeks overall is not an excessive duration. Even airlines that do little more than adding their own in-flight safety manuals in the seatback pocket of new aircraft will still need about two weeks to perform checks, hands-on training, and get regulatory approval for their first aircraft.

For context, not every airline starts commercial service with just one aircraft either. IIRC Delta waited until they had 3 A220s ready to start commercial service.

Remember United receiving its first A321neo in October? The aircraft spent 3 weeks on the ground in Houston before its first flight. It all depends on the things you want to install or have in the aircraft.

And that first flight was not even a commercial flight. The plane is visiting some of United's bases so maintenance and operation crews go through on-the-job training and pilots get familiarization flights. Obviously not something Brussels would have to do.
First commercial flight is scheduled for December 14. ORD-PHX, as UA321...

[HQ_BRU_Lover]

Has a date for the first revenue flight been set in the meantime?

[Boavida]

What are the chances of SN getting A220 aircraft in the future?

[Kapitein]

Has a date for the first revenue flight been set in the meantime?

4th of Decembre there is a event where they will present the new aircraft.

[sn26567]

Has a date for the first revenue flight been set in the meantime?

4th of Decembre there is a event where they will present the new aircraft.

And Aviation24.be will be present to report.

[crew1990]

With the arrival of OO-SBA, OO-SSH is at the moment performing a last flight under a SN flight number as she is beeing positioning from Edimburgh (EDI - UK) to Bangor (BGR - USA) for phasing out.

[oldblueeyes]

What does it mean with respect to the other upcoming 4 A320NEO's?
There was an up gauging 319->320 planned, than some 319 leases extended etc.

[crew1990]

I don't know anything about any extention of A319 contract. The project is and has always been replacing the A319 with A320neo. We can expect to see 4 other A319 leaving replaced by OO-SBB; OO-SBC; OO-SBD and OO-SBE.

From what I heard the short/medium haul fleet will not be much bigger in regards with the number of aircrafts next year, just 1 extra CRJ900. For the rest the growth should be by using larger aircraft. 141pax > 180pax. On top of the 10th A330 of course. Then an 11th A330 should be coming for S25; 12th for S26 and finally 13th for S27.

[oldblueeyes]

Well, i suppose 330 No 11-13 are a plan, but no official commitment yet. May fit when enough B789 would arrive to replace 343, send 5x789 to Austrian and exit the 333 in FRA.
With 320 class, i am not so sure. We've seen an extra 319 coming so this may be also an intermediate way, regardless of the all 320fleet plan.

[crew1990]

Well, i suppose 330 No 11-13 are a plan, but no official commitment yet.

Indeed it's the plan.

With 320 class, i am not so sure. We've seen an extra 319 coming so this may be also an intermediate way, regardless of the all 320fleet plan.

Austrian was getting rid of their A319, one of them went to SN because SN was in need of an extra aircraft and this one was available within the group. This was an oportunistic measure and not a long term solution. The A319 are ALL leaving the fleet but it will be gradually, some of them will probably stay for a couple of year more, the same way it was for the Avro and Boeing fleet.

[skumfiduse]

I notice future OO-SBB is all white. Will it become another Star Alliance, a new Belgian Icon or just delayed in painting for one reason or another?

Remarkable since future OO-SBC is painted in the regular livery.

[crew1990]

I notice future OO-SBB is all white. Will it become another Star Alliance, a new Belgian Icon or just delayed in painting for one reason or another?

Remarkable since future OO-SBC is painted in the regular livery.

I questionning myself as well. But let's remember some Austrian Airlines aircraft arrived white as well for delivery and have been painted later