Brussels Airlines Announces Fleet, Cabin Upgrades

DALLAS — Brussels Airlines (SN) has announced significant updates to its fleet, including plans to expand its long-haul services and refurbish its cabin interiors. 

The Lufthansa Group airline will add three additional Airbus A330 aircraft to its existing fleet over the next few years. This expansion is intended to enhance its routes to Africa, where it sees rising demand due to growing populations and economies. 

Specifically, the newly acquired planes will help reduce the number of multi-stop flights in Africa, allowing more direct routes in its Sub-Saharan Africa network. "The ambition is to make Brussels a European hub for flights to and from Africa."

Currently, SN operates a fleet of 10 Airbus A330-300s, with an average age of nearly 17 years. These planes were sourced second-hand from other airlines like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. 

In addition to expanding its fleet, the carrier is investing €100 million (US$110 million) to refurbish its economy, premium economy, and business class cabins on the A330s. 

While SN says details of the new cabin will be revealed at a later stage, the overhaul aims to provide a more premium experience for passengers, further supporting the airline's growth strategy into Africa.

To support the fleet expansion, the airline plans to hire 250 new staff across various roles, including pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance personnel. 

Additionally, the airline has signed a wet-lease agreement with airBaltic (BT), ensuring it has extra Airbus A220 capacity for regional routes during the summer months. 

This arrangement may coincide with the potential retirement of some Airbus A319s as the airline adjusts its fleet to meet demand more efficiently.