Brussels Airlines

Dec 2011 Nairobi-Manchester via Brussels. Roomier than most airlines even in economy class but no individual inflight entertainment console just one for the whole area and no choice of movie etc. Food was good nice and hot and a good selection despite it being a diabetic meal. Breakfast was also good. Staff were friendly and helpful but check-in staff at Nairobi were not fantastic and gave me the wrong information about check-in time so I was left standing at the desk for 2 hours. These staff then turned out to be from a different airline. So far I'm happy with the service and value for money.

Geneva-Brussels. Bujumbura-Kigali. Brussels-Geneva. Brussels airlines is one of the few airlines flying these routes from Europe. Their business class product is average and given the lack of competition on these routes it is fine. The seats have seen better days not fully reclining so not the most comfortable. The entertainment system is not AVOD and not very good. The choices were limited. Catering is fine good wine selection and reasonable meals. FA's were friendly and professional. The lounges in Brussels airport are quite nice with good views on the runways plenty of light and a reasonable selection of snacks and drinks.

BRU-BKO return - Economy. 7 hours delayed arrival due to unforeseen schedule changes. Oral apology given not really acceptable for 7 hours delay. No vouchers no miles no meal provision as a token of apology. I tried this flight option because it is the newest airline to be added to Bamako and the cheap fare is what you pay for - cheap service! No VOD old seats and apparently a day trip to Ghana and Benin on the way to Mali.

Brussels to Yaounde was diverted to Douala then to Kinshasa and only then back to Yaounde without notice. I was told a letter was handed to passengers upon boarding in Brussels however I never received one. No announcements or apologies from the crew. Arrived with a delay of 8 hours. Service was poor food was bad. Due to the diversion to Kinshasa we were served the same sandwich twice. Toilets were constantly dirty entertainment poor with main screen only bad image and poor sound system.

A wonderful flight from BCN-BRU. Aircraft A319 was clean and the cabin comfortable. The ground staff in BCN were courteous friendly and handled check-in and boarding efficiently. Cabin crew were alert and professional. Food presentation was nice and the crew were always there to refresh and top off drinks. Highly recommended.

Fly frequently to Africa. Service onboard and at the airport is good often very good depending on the crew. Food and beverages are excellent and I always request diabetic food. The aircraft although well maintained seems to be old. They don't provide private screens to passengers only overhead monitors with general/sometimes boring entertainment.

BRU-TXL-BRU. Comfortable flights on full A319 in b.light economy. Very generous legroom on outbound flight (row 22). Buy-on-board catering only - reasonable prices but food not appealing. Announcements by purser very sloppy she was even mixing up languages. All male flight crew on return flight provided excellent service. Impressive and clear on-board announcements in four languages (not taped announcements). Both flights on-time. Baggage delayed in Brussels when carousel broke down for 15 minutes - no staff to be seen no announcements.

LHR-BRU-LHR. Used regularly for business travel and always receive a reasonable standard of service - no different to BA or BMI in all honesty. Some of the Avros are getting a little long in the tooth but the Airbus newer editions are fine. Quite expensive.

Brussels to Catania. Arrived early unpleasant check-in staff who appear obsessed with luggage weight then 2 hour delay where we were sat on the plane on a hot sunny day. Onboard staff not at all helpful. Excuse given for delay that the plane left Catania that morning with technical problems. They finally offered us a 1/2 glass of water. Ticket prices are dreadful.

A 2.5 hr flight from Malaga to Brussels. Aircraft was a 737-400 getting rather long in the tooth nowadays the seating cramped seemed more so than the A320s and Avro regional jets SN Brussels have in their fleet. The flight departed on time with good information from the flight deck. Cabin staff appeared aloof and disinterested 2 young men at the rear of the aircraft dancing and joking about behind the closed curtain one holding a small bottle upside down and imitating a singer. Asking for a coffee seemed to be a big effort and the attendant brought it reluctantly. Service levels seem to be hit and miss.