Brussels Airlines: fleet development and new revolutionary aircraft seat
This summer, Brussels Airlines rejuvenates its fleet. Five AVRO RJ aircraft will be replaced by larger Airbus A 319/320 aircraft. On the Airbus A 319/A 320 a new revolutionary seat is introduced, offering more living space and comfort and weighing much less.
The replacement programme of the short and medium haul fleet starts this week with the introduction of a first Airbus A 319 aircraft replacing a smaller AVRO RJ of which the lease term has come to an end. In the course of the coming months 3 more Airbus A 319 will be added to the fleet. This spring two more Airbus A 320 are expected. By using larger and more efficient aircraft Brussels Airlines increases its capacity on the European network with 945 seats. The Airbus aircraft enables Brussels Airlines to reduce the average operational cost per seat.
More living space thanks to a new seat
Together with the aircraft replacement programme, Brussels Airlines introduces a completely new seat : the Airbus A 319 / A 320 fleet will be equipped with revolutionary “light weight” seats. This seat, state-of-the-art technology of the German manufacturer Recaro, offers, thanks to its unique streamlined design, every passenger nearly 4 centimeters more legroom and substantially more living space. The seat pocket, traditionally located at the bottom, is now installed on eye level which creates more free space on knee level. New is also the handy peg at the side, enabling the passenger to get rid of his jacket during the flight. Hand luggage can easily be stored under the seat.
Over 300 frequent flyers were actively involved in the design and selection process – they opted for the Recaro seat over other seats due to its comfort, design and extra living room. Thanks to the use of modern, light materials this Recaro seat allows to bring down the weight per aircraft with almost 700 kgs, which reduce the fuel consumption and CO2 emission per aircraft with 4%.
More competitive
“The introduction of six Airbus aircraft in the course of this year together with a new seat is an investment of Brussels Airlines in comfort, efficiency and environmental concern” says co CEO Bernard Gustin. “This way, Bussels Airlines becomes more attractive to the customers and more competitive on certain routes. ” The seat was designed especially for the airlines of the Lufthansa Group. Also Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Swiss introduce the new type of seats on their medium-haul fleet.