Making Brussels Interesting – with TravelMagic and Brussels Airlines
SN2050 Birmingham Airport to Brussels National Airport
- Travel? TravelMagic!
- Saturday Morning fun and games
- SN2050 Birmingham Airport to Brussels National Airport (THIS SECTION)
- TravelMagic overview
- The Pantone Hotel
- A Day in Brussels
- Back to Brussels Airport
- SN2047 Brussels National Airport to Birmingham Airport
- Magical?
SN2050 Birmingham Airport to Brussels National Airport
Brussels Airlines operated by FlyBe, Bombardier Dash-8 Q400
288 miles flown, 125 miles and more miles earned
I was welcomed aboard and directed to the middle of the plane – the first row dividing B.Economy+ and B.Lite, with a view of the right hand side propeller.
Now whilst this plane on the outside is painted up in Brussels Airlines colours, on the inside, this is a typical FlyBe Dash8-Q400, with the headrest covers delimiting where the B.Economy+ and B.Lite end and begin – Blue for B.Economy+, Red for B.Lite.
There are headrests there. Work with me on this…
Loading was reasonably quick – as everyone had got on the bus, with a full load in B.Lite, and a relatively light load in B.Economy+, with one person moved to man the emergency exit row. The plane was buttoned up, and we waited to for the command to depart.
Spinning up…
During this time, the safety demo was carried out in English only.
This time of morning is actually very busy as charter/leisure traffic occupies these early hours, so we were 15 minutes late. , but soon enough our little Dash8-Q400 roared into life and barrelled down the runway, lifting into the morning sky.
Take off was pretty powerful for a little turboprop like this, and we were quickly climbing, as the sun rose.
Climbout
Through the cloud layer
The plane settled into cruise, and the crew were released to conduct a service. Now, normally on a Brussels Airlines flight, this would be a Snack and a Drink in B.Economy+, and a product for sale in B.Lite
However, you’d notice at the top of this section that this flight was operated on behalf of Brussels Airlines… by FlyBe. This meant something unusual from Brussels Airlines – a snack and drinks provided!
Wonders will never cease!
Drinks were a choice of non-alcoholic ones, whilst the snack was rather appropriately – a Belgium waffle.
Works me for me.
The service was conducted with some speed, with the two flight attendants working the plane in a reasonable timeframe for this short hop across the channel. And I’ve got to admit – for working the first service of the day, the crew seemed rather happy to be flying today.
The Legroom wasn’t what I’d call comfortable… in fact; I’d call it tight to be honest.
The route took us past London, over Dover, into Belgium and down into Brussels National.
Dover Docks
But this still left time for something I haven’t done for some time… and a compatibility check too – is the Dash8-Q400 GhettoIFE compatible?
And the answer is…
… yes! (On today’s GhettoIFE, the classic South Park Episode “Mecha Streisand“)
Soon, the plane had begun its descent back down to earth as the cabin was secured. Meanwhile, the clouds and sun played their part in a beautiful ballet.
Below the cloud layer
Beginning final decent
Landing wasn’t that bad, with a firm planting on the ground
After exiting the active, the little Dash8-Q400 taxied over to the hard stands, where it parked up.
Approaching the hard stands. An Austrian Dash8, A Brussels Airlines A319 and BAe146 parked up too.
The fasten seatbelts sign was extinguished, and it was every person for themselves – even though we were all going on the same bus.
I retrieved my rucksack, thanked the crew and headed for the bus.
Overall: Considering I was expecting a very bare-bones service (both from previous FlyBe and Brussels Airlines experiences), this service surprised me. Here we are, with a full service offering on the cheapest ticket, with friendly crew. Heck, if Brussels Airlines could do this on their proper services, it could change the airline dramatically…
Next: Dealing with SNCB the local transit, and TravelMagic!
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