A new generation airline is born

The marriage between SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express has resulted in the birth of Brussels Airlines, a new generation of airline. The new product line-up of Brussels Airlines meets the real needs of a new generation of both business and low-cost travellers : flexibility, service and timesaving for the former, and the lowest fare guarantee for the latter. The new products are on sale from tomorrow and the first Brussels Airlines flight will take to the skies on the 25 March 2007.

Brussels Airlines: a new style


The new name is a perfect description of Brussels Airlines' activities, because, from its home base at Brussels Airport, the airline connects the capital of Europe with over 50 European destinations as well as several intercontinental networks. The logo, a "b" in a contemporary design style, symbolises both Brussels and Belgium.

In graphic terms, the "b" is made up of a series of ellipses that represent the extended network of the airline, as well as the ground lights on an airport runway.

The blue is a reminder of the values that are carried forward from SN Brussels Airlines while the red recalls the "low cost" colours of Virgin Express. In the airline sector, blue is generally reassuring and reliable while red is youthful and dynamic.

The new name will be presented to the public in Belgium with a TV spot, and across Europe with a campaign that will start January 2007. Until 24 March 2007 flights will be operated under the brand names SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express, and on the 25 March the first Brussels Airlines flight will take to the skies.


Two products created from the views of more than 5,000 passengers


Brussels Airlines is born from the marriage between SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express, and the new generation airline has inherited all its parents' best points. Values such as punctuality, reliability, excellent service, a multi-lingual personnel, low cost fares, premium airports and top quality are the order of the day every day at Brussels Airlines.

Brussels Airlines believes totally in listening to the real needs of its customers. And it is as a result of a market study carried out amongst over 5,000 passengers that the airline really became aware that customers' needs had changed considerably over the last months and years.

Neil Burrows, the outgoing CEO, explains "Today, even business travellers are much more price-conscious. The attractiveness of the traditional, expensive Business Class is greatly diminished on short-haul flights. For at least half of those flying for professional reasons, price has become a determining factor of choice. This phenomenon has
influenced the travel purchasing policies in a large number of organisations. However, people who fly for business now need flexibility and service more than ever… and they want to lose as little time as possible at the airport.
"

Not only have the needs of business travellers changed, but the expectations of leisure travellers are also different today.

Burrows adds: "There is a growing number of passengers looking for the lowest fare. The success of low-cost airlines is tangible proof of this. Brussels Airlines listened to what all its passengers want (both business and low cost) and has created two products that exactly meets their needs."


Two products in line with market needs: timesaving and service or low cost


Brussels Airlines has responded to the evolution in passenger behaviour and needs, and has launched two new products specifically created to meet those needs. Thus Brussels Airlines offers its customers the choice between products that are right in line with market evolution and has developed a new generation of economy class. This
new generation will supersede the traditional economy/business duo.

Philippe Vander Putten, the incoming CEO said: "We're offering two new products. On the one hand, we have b.flex, which responds perfectly to the needs of passengers flying for professional reasons, who want to save as much time as possible and require a high level of service, but don't want it to cost the earth. And on the other hand, we have
b.light which guarantees the lowest fares. Until now Virgin Express had a low cost offer to and from some 20 destinations - today Brussels Airlines offers low cost fares to some 50 destinations from Brussels Airport. Which essentially means that we're lowering our prices on an even greater number of routes.
"

 

Changeable tickets, fewer queues, more luggage allowance, time-saving and quality service at prices up to 50 % less


b.flex is the original new travel solution for passengers who want to save time and need a high level of service.

  • b.flex means saving precious time at Brussels Airport:
       
    • Ultra quick check-in and priority access means you can turn up just 30 minutes before take-off.
    • Separate fast-track security control at ‘rush hours’.
    • No queues for boarding as b.flex passengers have priority boarding
    • b.flex passengers sit in the front of the aircraft, which means they get off faster on arrival.
           
  • b.flex also offers a higher luggage allowance (up to 30 kilos) and up to two bags as hand luggage (total 12 kilos.)
       
  • b.flex also offers more comfort on board, allowing passengers to choose their own seat, and offering a complimentary food, drink and newspaper service.
        
  • A b.flex ticket offers more flexibility:
       
    • passengers can take an earlier flight on the same day without paying extra charges.
    • change of travel plans? No problem with b.flex – you’ll be reimbursed so you can book another flight.
           
  • b.flex customers can earn more Privilege miles, and more quickly.
         
  • Compared to a classic Business Class offered by our competitors, b.flex tickets are up to 50% cheaper, are available as return tickets and suit today’s business travellers better. Plus, the earlier you book a b.flex ticket, the cheaper it is.  

All in all, b.flex is the best value for money thanks to ticket flexibility, time-saving at the airport and cheaper prices.

 

Three times as many low cost flights from Brussels Airport.
From € 49 including taxes.


b.light is Brussels Airlines’ answer to passengers looking for the low-cost tickets oneway, all-in. But b.light passengers can be assured of quality and a high standard of service on board our aircraft, and with drinks and snacks on sale at competitive prices.

A b.light one-way ticket starts at € 49 including taxes, service and a smile. And once again, the earlier you book, the less you pay.

But b.light has gone even further, by offering a lowest fare guarantee. In effect, if passengers can find on the day of their booking a lower price with another airline for a comparable flight, Brussels Airlines will reimburse the difference.

b.light is the only low cost airline product that comes with a full service frequent flyer programme. Here, Privilege has a choice of some 800 destinations for earning and spending miles. Moreover, Privilege allows passengers to earn miles when they use their phone, rent a car, pay with their credit card, book a hotel or even shop at the
supermarket.

b.light offers three times as many low-cost destinations – more than 50 premium European airports at rock-bottom prices.

 

Long- and medium-haul (Helsinki, Tel Aviv and Moscow)


Because our longer-haul (13 African destinations) and medium-haul (Helsinki, Moscow and Tel Aviv) passengers have different requirements, Brussels Airlines will continue to offer Business and Economy Class on these networks.

The Helsinki, Moscow and Tel Aviv routes will see an improvement in comfort, with the middle seat always being kept free in Business Class.

Plus the service on our African routes has been thoroughly upgraded this year with flatbed seats in Business Class and new ergonomic seating in Economy. These improvements have already generated an excellent feedback amongst our customers.

 

Summer 2007

 

Europe:

For next summer, Brussels Airlines is offering more than 50 premium European destinations. These include the major European capitals and business destinations, as well as the sunniest of tourism regions. On almost all routes, Brussels Airlines offers more daily connections from Brussels Airport than any competitor.

Athens, Barcelona, Bari, Berlin Tempelhof, Berlin Schoenefeld, Bilbao, Birmingham, Budapest, Bologna, Bristol, Brussels, Casablanca, Catania, Faro, Florence, Frankfurt, Geneva, Göteborg, Hamburg, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Lisbon, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Lyon, Madrid, Malaga, Manchester, Marseille, Milan Malpensa, Milan Bergamo, Moscow, Munich, Murcia, Naples, Newcastle, Nice, Oslo, Paris CDG, Palma de Mallorca,
Palermo, Porto, Prague, Rome, Seville, Saint Petersburg, Stockholm Bromma, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Turin, Valencia, Venice, Warsaw, Vienna.

 

Africa:

Abidjan, Banjul, Casablanca, Conakry, Dakar, Douala, Entebbe, Freetown, Kigali, Kinshasa, Luanda, Monrovia, Nairobi, Yaounde.

 

North America:

Toronto, New York, Chicago as well as over 20 connections via New York and Chicago.

 

Middle East and Gulf Region:

 

Tel Aviv, Abu Dhabi and Dubai

 

Asia:

 

Beijing

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About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is the home carrier of Belgium and one of the four network airlines of the Lufthansa Group. It connects the European capital from Brussels Airport with over 90 destinations, 18 of which are in Sub Saharan Africa. The company employs more than 3,500 people and operates 44 aircraft.

Brussels Airlines aims to emit 50% less CO2 by 2030 compared to 2019 and plans to be carbon neutral by 2050. The airline is participating in the Stargate Project led by Brussels Airport and is therefore part of the testing ground for sustainable aviation at its home base. In addition, the airline signed the Circular Economy agreement of the Antwerp Management School in 2021. The airline was the first to transport Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the CEPS-pipeline connecting Brussels Airport early 2023. By end 2024, Brussels Airlines will have welcomed five state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo allowing the airline to significantly lower its CO2- and noise-emissions on its medium-haul network.

As an ambassador of its country, Brussels Airlines brings the world to Belgium and the best of Belgium to the world, among others through collaborations with Belgian Star Chefs, Belgian culinary products and the Belgian Icons, specially painted aircraft that honour a Belgian iconic person, team or event to promote Belgian culture worldwide.

More information on brusselsairlines.com 


About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in almost 190 countries.

More information on staralliance.com

Contact

b.house Zone General Aviation - Airport Building 26 1831 Diegem

+32 2 723 89 90

press@brusselsairlines.com

www.brusselsairlines.com