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As summer vacations kick off, Brussels Airlines is prepared to meet the demand. It will operate its largest fleet to date and introduce new initiatives aimed at delivering a seamless passenger experience. Nearly two million travelers are expected over the summer months and the airline is ready to connect flyers to their favorite destinations.
Brussels Airlines will operate a fleet of 50 aircraft (up from 44 last summer). This includes the addition of one Airbus A320 for short- and medium-haul flights and one Airbus A330 for long-haul operations. In partnership with wet-lease provider Air Baltic, four Airbus A220 aircraft will also be integrated to further boost capacity.
Southern Europe continues to be a holiday hot spot. Spain remains the number one destination, with 12 cities served including Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC), Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), and Valencia Airport (VLC). Greece and Italy follow Spain with nine destinations each on offer. Demand is also increasing for Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO). On long-haul routes, New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Kinshasa’s N’djili Airport (FIH) are the most popular with both leisure travelers and those visiting family abroad.
The carrier has hired nearly 300 new employees since January 1st. The new hires include 153 cabin crew, 57 pilots, and 47 airport team members. For the first time, 47 student cabin crew have joined for the summer after undergoing the same training as full-time flight attendants.
To enhance the airport experience, the airline has doubled the capacity of its bag drop area at Brussels Airport (BRU), which significantly reduces wait times for travelers who check in online. Operational teams have worked throughout the year with airport partners to ensure a streamlined summer schedule. Passengers are also encouraged to take these simple steps for stress-free travel:
- Arrive early to navigate busy terminals and security lines.
- Check in your carry-on bags for free (a Brussels Airlines perk that allows faster boarding and fewer security hassles).
- Stay updated using the Brussels Airlines app to stay informed of gate changes, delays, and rebooking opportunities.
- Verify travel documents before heading to the airport via the Belgian Federal Foreign Affairs website.
Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Brussels Airlines, said:
While summer offers many a moment to pause and recharge, it’s also the season when our teams are at their busiest. Behind every smooth journey and holiday memory are colleagues who show up with dedication, care, and professionalism—day in and day out.”
Anthony’s Take: It’s going to be a long, hot summer and even with diminished US demand overall, it seems like European airlines will be quite busy.
(Image Credits: Berlin Brandenburg Airport and Brussels Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.