As the summer holiday season commences, Brussels Airlines is gearing up for a bustling period, anticipating over 1.2 million travelers in July and August alone. The airline has launched multiple initiatives to ensure smooth operations and provide passengers with an exceptional travel experience.
During the peak of summer, the aviation sector sees a surge in travel activity, with 2024 continuing this trend. This season, European islands are the top choice, with fully booked flights to Greek destinations like Zakynthos, Corfu, and Rhodos, as well as Spanish islands including Gran Canaria, Mallorca, and Lanzarote. Additionally, city breaks in cooler climates, such as Stockholm and Gothenburg, are in high demand. Beyond Europe, a significant number of Belgians are venturing to the United States, with Brussels Airlines offering direct services to New York JFK and Washington DC. The airline also collaborates with tour operators to cater to popular destinations like Hurghada in Egypt and Antalya in Turkey.
Expanding its reach, Brussels Airlines has introduced Nairobi (Kenya) and Krakow (Poland) to its network, supported by the addition of an extra Airbus A330 and Airbus A320. Each year, Brussels Airlines plays a crucial role in transporting over 20,000 attendees to Belgium for Tomorrowland. Maintaining its tradition, the airline features special party flights, this year aboard the newly introduced Amare aircraft. A notable innovation this year is the introduction of “Tomorrowland Green Fares” as part of the Global Journey packages, incorporating Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) purchases to cut down on 20% of flight-related carbon emissions per individual. Specific party flights in collaboration with Tomorrowland aim for a 100% reduction in carbon emissions through SAF purchases.
“We’ve hired across all our operational departments to be able to work full force during summer. July and August are always challenging months in the aviation industry. We will do our utmost to ensure reliable operations. I want to take this opportunity to thank all our teams on the ground and in the air for their professionalism and dedication. It is thanks to their hard work, so many people can enjoy their well-deserved vacation.” - Tilman Reinshagen, Chief Operating Officer, Brussels Airlines
In preparation for the busy season, Brussels Airlines has enhanced its workforce by hiring 180 cabin crew members and 64 pilots. Additionally, 40 new passenger service agents and 70 summer students have been recruited to support ground operations. Enhancements to the Brussels Airlines website include an improved chatbot for better handling of travel disruptions and a new pre-seating system developed within the Lufthansa Group that prioritizes passengers with tight connections for earlier disembarkation.
“If you want to travel on a premium product out of Belgium, it is obvious that Brussels Airlines is your carrier of choice. Our lounge has been awarded ‘Europe’s Leading Airline Lounge’ for six times in a row now, and we’ve invested a lot in our product on-board too. We’re really proud of the ‘Belgitude’ our guests will encounter on every step along the way: from Neuhaus chocolates to the world-famous beer, and the Belgian design of our uniform. We’re premium, we’re Belgian and we’re ready to show it.” - Tilman Reinshagen, Chief Operating Officer, Brussels Airlines
Starting this summer, Brussels Airlines is offering Business Class on all flights, including to prime leisure destinations in Spain, Greece, and North Africa, responding to the increasing demand for premium travel options among leisure travelers. Investments have also been made in enhancing the Business Class experience, including improved meal options on short- and medium-haul flights and numerous events in THE LOFT, Brussels Airlines’ largest lounge. For its employees, Brussels Airlines continues to focus on enhancing workplace conditions. A new crew center at the airport offers a dedicated space for crew members to prepare for flights or relax during standby periods. Furthermore, the airline has opened a modern training facility in Vilvoorde with advanced simulators, centralizing and improving training capabilities.
