Birmingham to Brussels on SN Brussels Airlines

Here is the first part of my report for our day trip to Brussels on SNBA. We were booked on flight SN2038, an 08:50 departure from Birmingham, so we had an early start that morning to get to the airport and check in. Once at the International railway station, we caught the Skytrain shuttle to the terminal 1 at BHX (and got thoroughly sick of hearing that intrusive Flybe advert!)

We checked in at the BA desks in the Eurohub (terminal 2). I was given seat 12A for the outward flight, and also the boarding card for the return flight from Brussels, as we only had hand luggage.

In the departure lounge, I managed to do some spotting, but it is almost impossible to get good photos in there, with the exception of one area which was occupied by an Avro RJ of British Airways. It was a foggy morning, which was a shame.

We saw our aircraft arrive, it was Avro RJ85 OO-DJT. We began boarding at 08:30, through door F in the departure lounge. We were greeted on boarding by a pleasant female purser – the other flight attendant was a steward called Carlos who was standing at the back and did not greet any passengers.

I had a back engine view from my window seat, the best to have on the ARJ – too far forward on these types and all you can see is the engine. The seats were comfortable leather ones, in a two-three configuaration. We were on the two abreast side, which was better.

We were pushed back at 08:48, and both flight attendants carried out the safety demonstration. We taxied to our take off position and waited for clearance. We had a good run and a smooth take off. There is a QuickTime video of the take off on this site

After take off Carlos handed out the in-flight magazine, called “Connect”, but I preferred to look through the window, I never read when I am flying!

Carlos also told me that I could have a seat in the back row because the view was not as obscured by the engines, and it would be better for taking photos. I decided to think about it! The weather cleared, and we flew over London, following the Thames and seeing the runway of London City below us.

The meal consisted of the Brussels Bistro – a stingy, tasteless presentation in a box. This was a gouda cheese sandwich on a tiny roll, with a muesli bar and a carton of apple juice. Not as good as Sabena or VLM!

Carlos told me again to move to the back, and this time I did. The view was better, and we were just about to cross the Belgian coastline. Carlos came back and pointed out the coastline through the window, and asked if I had managed to get some better photos. I did get some reasonable ones on my new digital camera! It was also great to see Belgium again!

Shortly before landing, Carlos handed out Belgian chocolates – very nice ones, and then he came and gave me an extra one before he told me to give him my camera and he would take my photo (very embarrassing!) I ahd to close the window blinds to allow him to get the photo without the sun spoiling it! He is the only person who has ever been allowed to use my digital camera.

It was very sunny when we landed after a flight of around one hour. At the apron I saw Finnair, Austrian, Olympic and Air Nostrum/Iberia. It had been a truly brilliant flight, and Carlos had been a brilliant steward. After writing the report of this flight on another forum I got a mesage from him to thank me for what I had said about him, which was really nice of him I think!

There is also video of our final approach and touch down in Brussels on here and here

Photos – BA Avro RJ in BHX
Turning to the runway
Leather seats in aircraft
In flight magazine
Window view from seat 12A