When Will Brussels Airlines Take Flight?

Brussels Airlines is the result of the merger of SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express, both carriers that have hubs at Brussels Airport. The two airlines agreed to merge on 7 November 2006 and according to the deal, Brussels Airlines will begin flights on 25 March 2007. At this point, the old Virgin Express and SN Brussels liveries will be phased out.

Brussels Airlines will use a combination of Airbus, Boeing and AVRO aircraft as part of its fleet, and most European routes will be served by the AVRO regional jets. The fleet presently stands at 49 aircraft. In terms of destinations, Brussels Airlines will maintain a strong network of European and African routes, but will offer a smaller number of destinations in North America and Asia.

Brussels Airlines will also have a handful of UK destinations, including London-Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Newcastle.

Within Europe, Brussels Airlines will use a mixed full-service and low-cost strategy offering two fare types, namely "b.light" and "b.flex."