Belgian flag carrier Brussels Airlines is preparing to refresh its long haul routes with what the airline calls a “Boutique in the sky”.
Your boutique hotel in the sky – Brussels Airlines New Business Class seats (Images, Brussels Airlines)
Brussels Airlines worked with JPA Design for the refit – which covers the three cabins on a long haul plane – Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class.
The airline is aiming for “a boutique hotel in the air”, offering the same small-scale personal experience as one finds in a boutique hotel.
With an entry into service in April 2019, let’s dive in further and see what’s being offered.
The refit
Business Class
Business class will get a new seat, which will be convertible into a single or double bed if you’re travelling with someone. Beds will be 2 metres long, with adjustable softness. They will be laid out in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration.
New Business Class seat
New Business Class seat with a new meal
New business class seat in bed mode.
A 15.6″ IFE Screen will be fitted too, with noise cancelling headphones offered.
Mood lighting will be installed to help relax a passenger during all stages of flight.
In terms of food and drink, Laurent Perrier Champagne will make an appearance, whilst food will be lead by Thierry Theys from restaurant Nuance.
As well as refitting the cabin, the food menu gets an upgrade too, with the Business Class cabin bringing “Belgian Beer and bar culture” aboard, with a self-service bar with a varying choice of eight Belgian Beers.
Belgian wines, coffee Neuhaus choclates will also make an appearance.
The onboard bar for Business Class.
30 seats in total are due to be installed on its refit.
Premium Economy
Brussels Airlines will launch its own Premium Economy Product. It’s going to be a 2-3-2 layout – giving a bit more width and legroom.
Premium Economy Cabin
The seat will be a 38″ seat pitch, with a 40 degrees angle of recline. Seats will be finished in Blue and purple, with a dash of red.
Premium Economy Recline
A 13.3″ HD IFE Screen will be installed too, with both AC & USB power plugs so guests can stay productive throughout their flight.
The airline will also offer, a water bottle and a hot towel, ice cream too.
Economy Class
A new ergonomic headrest is being installed, along with a USB port at each seat.
Economy Class
Economy Class
A 10.1″ IFE Screen will be installed, with the airline offering “each guest can enjoy a nice international meal with aperitif and complimentary beers, wines and spirits.”
In Quotes
Christina Foerster – CEO Brussels Airlines said
“At Brussels Airlines we are continuously working on improving the comfort for our guests on board as well as on the ground. With this significant investment in our long-haul travel experience, we emphasize once more on our commitment towards an exceptional passenger experience. The experience delivered by the finest boutique hotels has been the source of inspiration for our new Intercontinental Business Class. We want to be the most personal airline, give a personal service to every guest and offer everyone the warm hospitality Belgium is known for. And that is exactly the essence of a boutique hotel, offering a world-class service in a small scale environment. The comparison of our aircraft – especially on the long haul – with a boutique hotel makes a lot of sense.”
John Tighe – Design Director for Transport at JPA Design also added
“It has been an absolute joy to collaborate with such a characterful combination of the Brussels Airlines brand & Belgium itself. Both have a genuinely unique ‘joie de vivre’ and with such great design culture to draw on it has been a fun and enjoyable project to deliver. The new cabins reflect a ’boutique hotel in the sky’, which captures the warmth and friendliness of the Brussels Airlines brand, whilst perfectly melding JPA Design’s experience in creating hospitality and aviation interiors. Together, we’ve created a harmonious ambiance for a personalised & warm service, and the result takes the airline’s guest-experience to new levels.“
The first refurbished Airbus A330 will join the operational fleet from April 2019.
Stepping up the passenger experience in all cabins
It’s good to see an airline stepping up its own passenger experience on a plane – least of all, it shows a commitment to the product, and what they’re putting for passengers to use.
There are some very Belgian nods in the design – which is visually pleasing (although the red adding whimsy… I’m not sure on).
With a new flatbed product and new premium economy product, it will also bring it into line with the Lufthansa family – offering three-class cabins on their planes. That opens up many new options, as well as revenue income opportunities.
This looks an interesting step for Brussels Airlines – and should be commended as they strive to improve their onboard offering.
All image courtesy of Brussels Airlines
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