abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4915 posts, RR: 55 Posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Feedback always appreciated.
Trip Report: 093
Flight Category: J-ILR (See Report End)
Date: 18 Jan-10 (See Report End)
SDT/SAT/Dur/Delay: 2055/0725+1/09:30 hrs
Flight: Brussels Airlines SN 352, 2336 miles
Routing: FIH-DLA-BRU
Aircraft: 333
Seat: Business, 2A
I > Background:
Congo-Kinshasa (DRC) is not a place for the faint-hearted to visit. It is an extremely bureaucratic place and patience is paramount to enjoying the place for what it is. A friend of mine is posted there for the UN, and I thought I’d pay him a visit. Surprisingly, getting a Congolese visa was easy and I was off on a remarkable adventure. After a week of traversing Congo, and many Primus beers later, it was time to head back.
Those familiar with DRC will recognize that photography is tantamount to committing a national outrage, and so bear with me as the photos were taken with a sneaky Blackberry. I have actually heard people go to jail for it!
I believe this will be the first trip report out of Congo, and the first featuring SN’s J-class product inter-continentally.
II > Pre-Flight:
a) Before Airport:
Brussels Airlines, is the “national carrier” of Belgium, and a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It is the largest airline based in Belgium, operating to over 65 destinations in 20 European countries as well as long-haul flights to East, Central and West Africa.
Ticketing for the flight was done on the extremely well designed and easy to use SN website at www.brusselsairlines.com. The site is crisp and visually appealing, and after getting past the sticker shock of fare, I was quickly able to pay and secure my e-ticket. The site is crisp and clear, and one can view their booking later and do modifications. Additionally, it allows check-in online as well. The only thing which was disappointing was the lack of seat selections until check-in opens online. Of course, one could call them and have this done over the phone.
b) At Airport:
Kinshasa’s N’dijili Airport is probably the most unique airport experience almost any of us can have. It is definitely not for the faint hearted. In fact, the bureaucracy and bribing is apparently so rampant, no person I know actually does the check-in themselves. I am serious. Most of the expat community and the locals (remember, if they can fly in Congo, they are doing quite well), hire “travel agents” who process the paper work and get them through the airport. These “agents” pay bribes to various people along the way with the “fee” that is charged upfront. I know old Africa hands will smile at this … and personally, I think it is a great system. I mean, to be honest, these “bribes” were for me no different than another form of tax whose end result was questionable.
I was almost tempted to use my sense of adventure and see what happens if I go alone. My horror-struck UN friend swore his life if I did it, and I ended up using Jeffrey’s travels to “arrange” for my check-in process. How absurd! Anyways, the good thing is that it allowed me to come to the airport fairly late and while I waited with my friends having a beer at the “agency” office, my “agent” was processing my check-in and getting my bags tagged. I had to make one appearance to the visa guy to verify the authenticity of my passport … and to answer his very confused “Liechtenstein passport look”. If only I had a penny for each time that happened, I would be a rich man.
Anyways, after he deemed me fit to (re)enter Europe, I had to make an “appearance” at the check-in counter. Now, these counters were staffed by some really beautiful people and they all giggled and found me very attractive. Haha. Too bad they had no idea I spoke perfect French. After issuing my boarding pass (and because I was slightly under-the-influence), I shamelessly flirted with them, and they flirted back. All classic stuff what makes me keep on seeing this amazing world we live in.
Check-in completed, I headed upstairs to the open-air lounge with a view of the tarmac – just like what airports used to be. I was so tempted to take a picture of the plane, but was actually scared with all the military guys looking at me. Some more beers later, and my nervous “agent” thinking I was gonna miss the flight, I decided to bid adieu to my friends and move on. Of course, I knew I wasn’t going to miss my flight. After all the Minister of Justice was having a drink with the Belgian Ambassador and there was no way the SN flight would take-off in Africa without them!
I was the final person to clear security where 3 guys and 2 girls asked for a bribe at each point. It was actually all very innocent and I managed to get-away with giving them the chocolates I had. The picture of my Israeli “friend” did confuse them and they waved me through the small holding room to the nervous SN woman who was convinced I was going to miss the plane.
Boarding pass scrutinized, we went out to the African humidity of the tarmac and a scene I can best describe as quintessential African charm. The magnificent 333 looked beautiful under the African sky and the lighting couldn’t have been better. Oh, just wish I had the guts to photo! Anyways, after 5 more security checks (!!!), and 2 passport checks, and 3 hand-bag checks, I was allowed to fly! The people were all very nice … and I think taken aback by my desire to engage them in friendly banter. It really let their guards down and I think they saw eye to eye with me. Such friendly people who have gone through so much.
I boarded the SN aircraft and was promptly welcomed by 2 guys and taken to my seat. They were all smiles and just nice. It was a weird sense of warmth with which I knew I was going to have a good flight. The FA came soon to take my jacket and offer me some drinks – later on the Senegalese purser came by to introduce himself and welcome me. We also engaged in some nice conversation:
Purser: “Ok. Sir. You sure you got on the right plane? You clearly do not belong.”
Me: “Ya. I am lost. Can you help?”
Purser: “I knew it. You had that lost boy written all over you.”
Me: “Chuckling. Aah. I see I get therapy included for the price of a J ticket.”
Purser: “Well. They have taken all other perks away. So why not?”
CLASSIC. Pure classic stuff!
Anyways, after the 2 VIP’s came on-board, push back was announced and a powerful take-off commenced from one of the world’s least maintained runways. J load was 70%; Y load was 75%.
>Airport - External:
(N’djili Airport) Check-in:
(Check-in)
Airport - Internal:
(Internal – Arrivals section)
(FIDS)
NO FIDS … well, the airport kind of has none.
(Post Security @ FIH)
Scenes of the tarmac:
NONE
Lounge
(Am I in Russia?) Boarding:
(Area)
III> In-Flight:
a) Service Schedule + Impressions:
Champagne/OJ/water at take-off. Newspapers and hot towels distributed. Small sandwich service between FIH and DLA. Same routine of beverages, newspapers, towels on push-back from DLA … one addition, amenity kits. Full dinner between DLA and BRU. Breakfast prior to arrival at BRU. Finally, a great touch with the box of Belgian chocolates at the end of flight.
b) Aircraft + Seats:
Brussels Airline’s 333 were extremely well maintained. I actually think SN has one of the smartest “Euro-White” liveries out there. The yellow-line pseudo cheat line making all the difference. Inside the J cabin, one finds relatively comfortable angle-flat seats. Now, I am not a fan of these seats and I even prefer old-style J seats to these. However, in SN’s defense, I must say that their seats were probably one of the more comfortable angled J seats I have been on. The only other decent angled J for me was on the old SQ. I think what makes the difference is that there is slightly more pitch than some other airlines. In seating position, the seats are great … but in other positions they struggle as your leg hits the bank of seats directly in front of you. Level of cleanliness throughout the cabin including in the bathrooms was impressive … though, the J class bathroom needed better lighting/fresh coat of paint/something. It looked tired.
Aircraft:
(333: Photo credited as shown)
Views from Aircraft:
(FIH @ Landing – the graveyard – “PlaneHunter”, I thought of you!)
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(Congo river)
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(Brazzaville on the other side) General Seat Views + Seat Legroom
(Seat controls)
(Front of seat)
(Decent legroom …)
(My pet peeve about angled-flats; the way leg touches the seat in front in many positions)
(Blanket provided)
Seat Recline + Angle View:
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Cabin:
*
(Bathroom Amenities)
(Africa-specific magazines. LH SHOULD LEARN! On my weekly flight from CCS, I don’t remember ever seeing anything relevant for us here)
c) Meal + Beverage:
I was very impressed with the amount of meal service and options on SN. This was shocking considering LH owns them. And, I pray that LH does not tamper and “cost-cut” their offering. SN meal service was a blessing.
Between FIH and DLA, little sandwiches were offered even after my insistence that I wasn’t hungry. The FA was like: “Oh you must eat something!” WOW. Am I on an Asian carrier?
Between DLA and BRU, dinner consisted of 4 options. I chose the Tilapia and king prawn which turned out to be excellent. The pictures do not do justice to how tasty the meal was. Along with a good starter, nice selection of warm bread rolls, and a rather nice cheesecake, it made for a great meal. Wine choices came from Argentina, France, and Italia. Also on offering were various “Sterkedrank” (spirits) and an interesting Belgian “champagne”.
What made the meal service memorable were the crew who treated one like they were guests. When I struggled to make a meal choice, the Purser was like … “you know … I can bring you all 4 and you can sample”! After the meal service, the Purser was like … “should I get you the Chicken ‘Kuku Paka’ or Fish Liboke now?” WOW. Best part was the amount of honesty in his approach.
I did not want to have the “light breakfast” prior to landing in Brussels. However, the crew was again adamant that I looked “too skinny” and forced a few croissants on me. Now, I wonder if these crew members were trained by Israeli or Indian mothers. I mean, that’s where I felt like I was than in some “cold” European carrier.
(Menu)
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(FIH-DLA)
(DLA-BRU; I ate the dessert rather quickly)
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(Bottles for each seat)
(Light breakfast)
d) Inflight Entertainment:
SN has older style IFE’s which include a selection of 12 movies played on loop. While the movie choices were rather decent, the lack of AVOD on these long flights was noticeable. Thankfully, it was a night-flight and the excellent in-flight magazine gave good company for an hour. Also, the headphones provided were of good quality.
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(“In-flight magazines”, Boarding Passes, etc. – Can someone please explain why I got a RB ticket-jacket by the agent in FIH?)
e) Crew:
Without any reservation or disclaimer, the crew of Brussels Airlines was the BEST crew I have EVER had on ANY European flight I have EVER taken to this date. And, with over 1,000 flights on just Euro carriers, SN should be proud of their accomplishment.
I mean, these crew members reminded me of why I love flying. Their sense of excitement and recognition that the journey is so much part of the destination was clear and it manifested in service delivery that was exemplary. Their ability to deliver was genuine and straight from the heart. They genuinely cared about their passengers and when I spoke to them in the galley, they understood the industry and their role in Africa very well. I was blown away by their unique appreciation of operations in Africa. They were model crew members who recognized that keeping an “open mind and heart” to work with cultures different from theirs required them to check their own “benchmarks” at BRU airport. It clearly showed in their service. I was amazed at how they handled a few difficult situations with panache and grace. Simply amazing! KUDOS!
On a personal note, I will remember several interactions that I will cherish. Besides their active role during boarding and during my meal service, here are a few highlights:
- they had not distributed the amenity kit, and I asked one of the crew members for one as my hands were very dry. She immediately got me one. Then went back and got the big bottle supplied to SN (for the bathroom) and her own cream. She then went on to explain how her own cream always works better in African climate!
- at the end of the flight, the Purser came and thanked me for flying with SN. He then gave me his card and told me that I must stop by and have a drink with him when I am DKR or BRU. He said, “you’re welcome to stay with me anytime”. Now, it doesn’t matter if I would have ever take him up … the genuineness and warmth that was conveyed to make me feel like a guest was beyond any words I could type.
As many of my frequent readers recognize, I am not usually a fan of European crew. I find many of them to be “cold” and “indifferent”. While I have had some good crew (DE on SEZ-FRA; and the fellow Belgians on Privatair BOM-FRA), many of them I find to be aloof. Moreover, a level of cultural training seems to be missing on quite a few of them … take an IB flight to LAC and you’ll understand. This crew changed all that. It demonstrated that exemplary service does not have a national flag. It showed that a warm heart, a joy of one’s job, and an open mind would translate immediately into good service.
If I can make any change in the world from my reports, I ask LH management to NOT change SN’s crew. In fact, I would encourage them to spend time with their sister’s at LX, Privatair, and even DE to see how crew delivers. And for God’s sake LH, make the purser work!!!
IV> Post-Flight:
Brussels airport continues to be one of my 3 favorite in Europe. Immigration was quick, and bags were waiting for me at the carousel.
(Views of tarmac at BRU)
V> Impressions + Scores:
I cannot say enough of good words for Brussels Airlines. They might not have the best IFE or the best seats, but genuine service will win accolades in my book any day over artificial FA’s equipped with decision-tree approach to service and armed with the latest IFE and flat beds. Of course, I wish SN had true-flat seats; of course, I wish SN had AVOD. But at the end of the day, when SN becomes just another set of miles on my Flight Memory page, I will remember not the choice of movies ... or if I slept well. I will remember being a guest at the house of some cool multi-cultural Belgians. I smile a little writing this “cheesy” ending because perhaps it is a reflection of the Europe I want to see.
Go fly Brussels Airlines before LH changes them. One of the best recent experiences I have had
in a non-exotic airline. Two thumps way up!
(Note on Codes: Y – Economy, J – Business, F – First :: I/D – International/Domestic :: SR/MR/LR – Short/Medium/Long Haul)
(Note on Date: Dates are modified to be +/- 3 days from actual flight date to not reveal actual flight pattern)
VII> Other Pictures:
(Chocolate as departure gift)
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(Amenity kit – the construction of the bag is of good quality)
(Some lasting impressions of Kinshasa – again, strict photography rules means I take them from a car on mobile camera)
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PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6190 posts, RR: 79 Reply 2, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Hi Alex,
what a fascinating report, I have great respect for you considering that you visit such places such as Kinshasa just for fun. Nice to hear about the good service on SN, let's hope LH won't cut too much - and they have to cut somewhere in the near future, that's certain.
Quoting abrelosojos (Thread starter): I was the final person to clear security where 3 guys and 2 girls asked for a bribe at each point.
Wow, how absurd can it get?
Quoting abrelosojos (Thread starter): (FIH @ Landing – the graveyard – “PlaneHunter”, I thought of you!)
Quoting abrelosojos (Thread starter): (Some lasting impressions of Kinshasa – again, strict photography rules means I take them from a car on mobile camera)
abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4915 posts, RR: 55 Reply 3, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting EC001 (Reply 1): Again, loved the pics and detailed writing.
I'm one of your followers , can't wait for the next one!
cheers,
orian
= Orion, mon ami... Merci. De tels mots me donnent envie de faire un autre rapport. Merci pour ces mots.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): I have great respect for you considering that you visit such places such as Kinshasa just for fun.
= I kind of figured we live in this beautiful crazy world and I have one life ... might as well put it to good use. Jaja.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): Nice to hear about the good service on SN, let's hope LH won't cut too much - and they have to cut somewhere in the near future, that's certain.
= Ya ... but they have done a good job with LX. So, perhaps there is hope?
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2):
Quoting abrelosojos (Thread starter):
I was the final person to clear security where 3 guys and 2 girls asked for a bribe at each point.
Wow, how absurd can it get?
= Ya ... but you know what ... you smile, recognize that it is part of the experience, and just go with the flow. There are things in life you can change ... things you cannot. Recognizing the difference has taken me all my 30 years and I'm still not sure .
Contact Air From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 1154 posts, RR: 14 Reply 4, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Thanks a lot for this really unique trip report! I found your impressions of Kinshasa highly interesting - a place you don't read about every day, and a place most of us probably won't ever visit.
Good to read about your very positive experiences on SN.
oa260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24894 posts, RR: 60 Reply 5, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Hi Alex,
Nice report , dont think Ive ever seen a SN report. Alot better than I expected, shame they dont go to places that are on my itineraries ( longhaul ).
You are brave to go to to these places for fun, I would be hesitant. The grave yard does look pretty interesting though.
Food looks really well presented etc.. Nice RB ticket jacket I certainly wouldnt complain.
Keep up the good work.
Philip
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
Reifel From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 1135 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Hi Alex,
once again a very nice report and a new number one
It's very exotic to travel to such a country. I think most of us cannot even imagine what week you must have spent there! I love travelling to exotic places, however Congo is for sure really exotic.
Your airport experience made me laugh And the pictures are speaking for theirselves... Defintely another word. As far as I can see they gave you a handwritten boarding pass? Did they handwritten the luguage tags as well? I wonder how they would have do to check you through to an onward destination. This is soooo oldschool and I love it.
Keep on the good work. Can't wait for the next report, I'm sure there will be a new one soon anyway
abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4915 posts, RR: 55 Reply 8, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 4): I found your impressions of Kinshasa highly interesting - a place you don't read about every day, and a place most of us probably won't ever visit.
= Ya. Kinshasa and Congo in general were incredible. Personally, I found the Congolese to the one of the most warm hearted African people ... and the music and nightlife is ... uff ... otro mundo.
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 4): Good to read about your very positive experiences on SN.
= Yup. They were fantastic.
Quoting oa260 (Reply 5): Nice report , dont think Ive ever seen a SN report. Alot better than I expected, shame they dont go to places that are on my itineraries ( longhaul ).
lychemsa From United States of America, joined Oct 2009, 904 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Thanks for the great pictures. I thought there was a war going on around there. Shame that Brussels (ex Sabena) no longer fly to New York. They had a good reputation.
Marambio From Argentina, joined Oct 2004, 1158 posts, RR: 28 Reply 10, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Gracias for another great trip report - you keep up covering places I really wanna go to! First Soqotra, now RDC... Kin' La Belle indeed looks like a special place. There is a huge amount of Uruguayan and Argentine soldiers based there at the MONUC. Any chance you overheard some Rioplatense Spanish whilst walking over La Gombe?
And I can only agree with your comment regarding local press onboard - whilst LH does offer some Argentine papers on its ex-EZE flights, I flew out of JRO/DAR/NBO dozens of times and never ever I found a single African paper or magazine on board KL. Put Le Monde away and bring on Nairobi's The East African!
Saludos,
Marambio
[Edited 2010-03-07 18:34:03]
Aerolíneas Argentinas - La Argentina que levanta vuelo.
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 11, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Hi Alex,
Superb TR from one of the most unique places.. I wonder how long it'll take before another TR is made out of Congo! It amazes me that these European airlines still fly to these places!
Quoting abrelosojos (Thread starter): Congo-Kinshasa (DRC) is not a place for the faint-hearted to visit.
Indeed, what a brave soul to even take photos.. I'd be just as tempted as you are but the thought of going to jail for taking pictures sounds scary.
Quoting abrelosojos (Thread starter): Kinshasa’s N’dijili Airport is probably the most unique airport experience almost any of us can have
Sums it up quite well. I can't believe the bureaucracy of needing someone else to check in for you, let alone so many bribe, passport and security checkpoints! It's some experience even just reading this - I can't even imagine what it'd be like to be there in person!
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6082 posts, RR: 56 Reply 12, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Very nice and exotic report! The process at N'Dili to check in and get on the plane sounds truly horrendeous....glad you had great patience......
Service on Brussels seems to be great and I agree with you that the crew is the most important factor in what makes a flight memorable. Great pictures from Kinshasa!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
thegreatRDU From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 2273 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Amazing TR....
N'djili is a nightmare and it's a shame as other major African airports are stepping their game up....I will be in Kinshasa this summer and don't want to take SN or AF being that i've flown on them dozens of times......I really would like to give Afriqiyah a shot however.....
abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4915 posts, RR: 55 Reply 14, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting Reifel (Reply 7): once again a very nice report and a new number one
= Yup. And, a surprising number 1.
Quoting Reifel (Reply 7): I think most of us cannot even imagine what week you must have spent there! I love travelling to exotic places, however Congo is for sure really exotic.
= It was just amazing man. What a beautiful country ... and the people were so nice. Of course, some try to con you ... and you then try to con them back ... just don't lose your sense of humor, and you're all set to have a fantastic time.
Quoting Reifel (Reply 7): Defintely another word. As far as I can see they gave you a handwritten boarding pass? Did they handwritten the luguage tags as well? I wonder how they would have do to check you through to an onward destination. This is soooo oldschool and I love it.
= Yes. All hand-written. Well, I was just flying to BRU ... so do not know.
Quoting Reifel (Reply 7):
Keep on the good work. Can't wait for the next report, I'm sure there will be a new one soon anyway
= Sadly, there are going to be a bunch of random reports of rather "boring" places.
Quoting lychemsa (Reply 9): I thought there was a war going on around there.
= Well, technically, no ...
Quoting Marambio (Reply 10): Kin' La Belle indeed looks like a special place.
= It indeed is hombre.
Quoting Marambio (Reply 10): There is a huge amount of Uruguayan and Argentine soldiers based there at the MONUC. Any chance you overheard some Rioplatense Spanish whilst walking over La Gombe?
= Jaja. Actually, I don't think there are any Argentinians in MONUC anymore. I think there is one guy who heads the temporary police force and another in Lubumbashi, but that is it. Lots of Uruguayans though ... drank (too) many Primus with them. Usually, the click is the Uruguayans, the Indians, and Beninese hang out together ... very strange mix.
Quoting Marambio (Reply 10): whilst LH does offer some Argentine papers on its ex-EZE flights, I flew out of JRO/DAR/NBO dozens of times and never ever I found a single African paper or magazine on board KL. Put Le Monde away and bring on Nairobi's The East African!
= Yup. I mean, seriously ... these are global airlines and they cannot be appreciative of the local market where they mint money? Yes of course, give precious Le Monde for the expat/NGO/IFI staffers, but what about the locals? SN Brussels really deserves a praise for this.
BTW, what exactly do you do? You've got me curious.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 11): I wonder how long it'll take before another TR is made out of Congo! It amazes me that these European airlines still fly to these places!
= Well Nicholas, these places mint money for the Euro carriers.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 11): It sounds so funny when you have a European passport. But I guess there'd be a lot of forgery in places like that.
= Well to be fair ... a Liechtenstein passport stuns a lot of people. I have had people in Europe being like confused about it ... and these guys protect our borders. It is amusing . I even had one guy in Rotterdam quizzed me for 20 minutes while he checked to "make sure" Liechtenstein was not part of Switzerland . I am totally serious.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 12): Very nice and exotic report! The process at N'Dili to check in and get on the plane sounds truly horrendeous....glad you had great patience......
= Well, you go to countries with a preparation and perspective. It would not have helped if I got worked up about the bureaucracy or wanted to have it like back home. What purpose would it serve? I recognize Congo is different - and keeping that in mind, had a great time. Besides, where else would you get to have cold chilled beers with your friends inside the airport while a guy made sure you will make the flight ?
Quoting The777Man (Reply 12):
Service on Brussels seems to be great and I agree with you that the crew is the most important factor in what makes a flight memorable. Great pictures from Kinshasa!
= Completely.
Quoting thegreatRDU (Reply 13):
N'djili is a nightmare and it's a shame as other major African airports are stepping their game up....I will be in Kinshasa this summer and don't want to take SN or AF being that i've flown on them dozens of times......I really would like to give Afriqiyah a shot however.....
= Fly Afriqiyah and get us a report!!! Por favor!
Thanks for reading all. Your words are really important to me, as putting these up take time.
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 15, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 14): Well to be fair ... a Liechtenstein passport stuns a lot of people. I have had people in Europe being like confused about it ... and these guys protect our borders. It is amusing . I even had one guy in Rotterdam quizzed me for 20 minutes while he checked to "make sure" Liechtenstein was not part of Switzerland . I am totally serious.
Wow, that's quite interesting. Yes, it must be amusing too from your point of view!
ba319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8263 posts, RR: 56 Reply 16, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Hi Alex,
Great report and pictures on a little reported upon carrier. I've flown 2 SN segments in europe, they were as expected no better or worse than most other carriers, however seems the longhaul J is a pretty decenet product.
Re the bribes req, I've heard about these before, but never realised there were so many people trying to take them, I guess it's best just to give something rather than risk getting held up on some made up charge.
As to ypur comments on photography, quite amazing it's pretyy mych forbidden, why is this, did you ask your friends?
Did you take some internal or other flights? The wing tips on serveral of your pictures are from an A32X series plane, not a 330.....
Bralo20 From Belgium, joined May 2008, 585 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Damn... Never expected to see our flagcarrier on top of your list... After reading your report I really want to fly SN's long haul product... I never intended to fly SN to Africa (well, maybe Kenia as an exception) but I think I've changed my mind. Great report! If you ever fly SN again, don't hesitate to write another report!
Bralo20 From Belgium, joined May 2008, 585 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): Nice to hear about the good service on SN, let's hope LH won't cut too much - and they have to cut somewhere in the near future, that's certain.
I don't think LH will touch SN's product to much... LH knows that it has a precious product in their hands that they need to maintain well. While SN's short haul product isn't much to write home about, their Africa operations are a true cashcow. I think SN will get quite some "carte blanche" on their Africa operations. LH even supports the founding of SN's new subsidiary in Congo. If they are all about cost cutting they wouldn't support the new airline either.
The cost cutting is allready done by SN itself... They don't lease or buy new planes to operate to Africa, instead they operate older, but well maintained aircrafts (in fact, I don't think their are much A333's in such a good shape like SN's birds) which are cheap in lease and insurrance.
But I'll guess we have to wait to see what's going to happen with SN in the future. However, I expect it to be placed beside LX somewhere. A whole owned subsidiary but with some freedom in operations. But I'll guess time will tell for sure.
Quoting lychemsa (Reply 9): Shame that Brussels (ex Sabena) no longer fly to New York. They had a good reputation.
There are plans to start up TATL routes again and JFK is named to be the first destination. But don't expect it to happen in the near future though. I think SN will increase their Africa operations first (which is logic since SN has a very long history in that continent) and then we'll see a start up to Northern America. One route, maybe 2 but certainly not the amount of routes that SN has flown while they still were called "Sabena".
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 11): It amazes me that these European airlines still fly to these places!
There are still strong ties with Africa from Europe and it will remain so in the future. The demand for flights is there and only a few airlines have the knowledge to operate the places that most even won't consider flying into... Africa has always been the cashcow for SN even back in the old days when they were still called Sabena instead of Brussels Airlines. When the new SN was founded on the ashes of the old SN is was not more then logic to restart routes again that made a lot of profit in the past. And I guess we'll see further increase in operations in the future.
PieterBoth From Belgium, joined Jan 2010, 55 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Great Trip Report! I'm a big fan of SN my adopted home carrier, flown them many times in Europe, including a one hour hop to from BRU to Birmingham this week, but haven't had the opportunity to take a trip with them long haul yet. I wish they had the b-spirit inflight magazine on their European network as well as their b-there magazine. In their European network magazine, b-there, there is not much about their African ops which is a shame I think.
It will be interesting to see how the Korongo project pans out in Lubumbashi and Kinshasa. After they just added 4 new cities in Africa, I was thinking if / what their next African cities would be. Bamako? Niamey? Nouakchott? Antananarivo? - I dream of the last one but probably extremely unlikely!
Looking forward to your next Trip Report Abrelosojos!
abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4915 posts, RR: 55 Reply 20, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 16): I've flown 2 SN segments in europe, they were as expected no better or worse than most other carriers, however seems the longhaul J is a pretty decenet product.
= Ya. I have heard that SN intra-Europe is very average.
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 16): Re the bribes req, I've heard about these before, but never realised there were so many people trying to take them, I guess it's best just to give something rather than risk getting held up on some made up charge.
= Well. As I mention, the way I see it is a "tax". Perhaps I have a completely different approach on bribes, but I feel that while not right, it is better to see where my "bribe" is going than in some countries (like here in Latin America) where they charge huge exit-fees and all that, and I don't really see anything "developing" out of it.
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 16): As to ypur comments on photography, quite amazing it's pretyy mych forbidden, why is this, did you ask your friends?
= I was told that during the Mobutu government, Congo needed to be projected to the outside world as a model country. Thus, secret police would do some serious harm to you if you took unapproved pictures showing "real" stuff. Guess that fear has not subsided, and the mentality has not changed.
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 16): Did you take some internal or other flights? The wing tips on serveral of your pictures are from an A32X series plane, not a 330.....
= Nope. As you can see, that flight was during the day ... and SN is a night operation ... so bonus point for guessing the airline that brought me to FIH .
Quoting Bralo20 (Reply 17): Damn... Never expected to see our flagcarrier on top of your list...
= Jaja. I have been getting quite a number of PM's with amazement . But, I don't chose to write a report/take pics on scoring - I decide flights to report on - write the report - and at the end, score.
Quoting Bralo20 (Reply 17): I never intended to fly SN to Africa (well, maybe Kenia as an exception) but I think I've changed my mind. Great report! If you ever fly SN again, don't hesitate to write another report!
= Good. Africa is great.
Quoting Bralo20 (Reply 18): LH knows that it has a precious product in their hands that they need to maintain well. While SN's short haul product isn't much to write home about, their Africa operations are a true cashcow. I think SN will get quite some "carte blanche" on their Africa operations. LH even supports the founding of SN's new subsidiary in Congo. If they are all about cost cutting they wouldn't support the new airline either.
= Good point.
Quoting PieterBoth (Reply 19): In their European network magazine, b-there, there is not much about their African ops which is a shame I think.
= Perhaps because the average European would have no interest?
ba319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8263 posts, RR: 56 Reply 21, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Hi Alex,
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 20): so bonus point for guessing the airline that brought me to FIH .
- Yikes, Africa is my weak spot, I'm going to guess SAA.
LH459 From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 886 posts, RR: 1 Reply 22, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
I could be wrong, but I believe you have provided the first long-haul report for SN on A.net! I always enjoy reading your reports, but this one was particularly fascinating. That airport is quite stunningly retro, in fact I think it was probably built before independence!
Saludos
"I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is temporary; the evil it does is permanent" - Ghandi
kiramakora From Argentina, joined Aug 2006, 532 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
WOW. SN Brussels tops your esteemed list! I am sure even the management at BRU are surprised! Actually, I personally am not. I have flown them and I find Belgian hospitality to be amongst the most underrated in Europe.
Carfield From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1727 posts, RR: 9 Reply 24, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
An excellent trip report and I really enjoy it!
Flying in Africa is definitely an experience in itself!
I definitely will try to fly SN Brussels before absorbing into the Lufthansa family! (which I have to fly "fly baboo" before it becomes AF/Cityjet)! Just hope that SN Brussels can resume its own flight to the US, which is possibly not going to happen ever again!
Thanks,
Carfield
25 MHTripple7: Wow, I really liked this one. What you say is very true... If you go into places such as FIH you will enjoy them SO much more if you just relax and ke
26 beowulf: Wow, that is a very unique report. Thanks for sharing this.
27 Bralo20: It will certainly happen someday... In a recent interview SN stated they are looking at some destinations in the US to startup TATL routes. New York
28 Ryanair!!!: Are you really that clueless about what was happening here?
29 chepos: Very interesting trip report, thanks for sharing. Good to know SN apparently has much better service than it's ancestor "wondeful" Sabena- which was n
30 abrelosojos: = Mark, you're even good at your "weak spot" . Yes, SAA indeed. = I think this is first SN long-haul report. Surprising as they are a full-fledged St
31 surfandsnow: What an incredible trip report! Here I thought I was brave to explore Cairo on my own and assertively brush off the incessant "baksheesh" requests at
32 Flanders: Every morning, while having breakfast, I read airliners.net. Now and then, I search for "BRU" and "SN" on the trip reports board, cause that's what I'
33 AirGabon: How was the SAA flight JNB-FIH and the load factor? They operate a daily 320 or 319, right? I hope you will test one day the Air Ivoire A321 flight wi
34 abrelosojos: = To be honest, I have struggled far more in Cairo (not all of Egypt) than in many other places on earth. These days I go to Cairo strictly for work
35 AirGabon: I made a consulting assignment for Air Ivoire in Abidjan in 2007 when AF and AIG were the shareholders. Now LH Consulting is assisting them with a Ge
36 castroprauxel: Dear Abrelosojos, Been so long since I last read a TR from you, I forgot how enjoyable that is! Now I can only wish SN would fly to other destinations
37 abrelosojos: = Do you work for Air France consulting? I had a chance to move to the area when AKFED was looking to start an airline and I was asked to play an imp
38 iakobos: Jail is only mentioned to increase the pressure on the photographer, in other words to raise the stake. A (non French speaking) Japanese cought red-h
39 thaia345: Hey A! Another great TR, i think now i have really gotta to try to start flying SN Brussels during my internal hops within europe. Really getting sick
40 ViasaMSY: Another great T.R. Alex. I could not fail to notice that you always wear the same jeans and shoes when you fly . Thank you for taking us with you to p
41 abrelosojos: = Oh I completely agree ... and if my friends were not with me, I'd be more happy to be clicking away. I think I have learned enough for my travels t
42 LX64A332: Very nicely done indeed! I am looking into options for Uganda in October, and ZRH-BRU-EBB is one of my options (albeit in Eco), so I was wondering if
43 iakobos: Great report by the way. Though you must have had a miracle flight or the crew spend a wonderful day in Kinshasa before boarding. Sincerely, frequent
44 abrelosojos: = Look. There is no one Africa ... like, there is no one Europe. Connecting in some African airports (JNB, ADD) is better than connecting at some Eur
45 travelexec: SN does not have PTVs in economy - drop down screens only...
46 iakobos: No joke, I was shown how to do a proper looping at an age where todays' kids start dreaming about having a Nintendo for Xmas. (Piper Cub - 1955 - Sta
47 AlexEU: Hi, excellent and exotic trip report! Have you been in the Republic of Congo? Btw, why is SN so focused on Africa? Can´t AF, BA, AZ, LH and LX do the
48 LX64A332: Thanks, I have thought about it, and have booked LX (in C with the new A333) into NBO, I will then be spending the night and the following day with a
49 abrelosojos: = Wow. Must have been an amazing experience growing up in Congo. How long were you there? Have you headed back? I spent some time growing up in Afric
50 Bralo20: Africa has always been a focus continent, right from the early days of the old SABENA airline. Several countries were colonies of Belgium with Congo
51 surfandsnow: But don't you think this is very much a current mindset, that is liable to change over time? After all, the original U.S. states had their own curren
52 iakobos: Amazing ? indeed. First stay (peaceful and quiet) was before independence, second (explosive at times) was '05-'09. I also saw my previous homes, SN
53 Bralo20: Negative, Korongo is supposed to start after the summer. It has been that way since the news was released. In fact the news about Korongo was due to
54 directorguy: Greetings, Thanks for sharing this very entertaining TR, and congrats on the new #1 premium trip, certainly wasn't expecting it....who knew one of the
55 iakobos: fm Bralo20 back in December: "The new airline will start service in the beginning of 2010 and will focus on the big lakes area of Africa." fm a poster
56 abrelosojos: = Though, I am surprised at how many key African cities SN does NOT fly to. = Personally, I think the verdict of whether Europe is either gaining in
57 Bralo20: Regarding Korongo: The early announcements were indeed made that the airline would be operational in the beginning of 2010. Although not operational t
58 iakobos: OK, to summarize, everything is unclear. Not sure the plural is needed... That must be the latest model of TSO-certified tam-tam and an additional cr
59 faucett: Hi Alex I have never replied before, but I honestly enjoy your TR's to the bone. So keep up the good work, we are reading avidly. As someone who was i
60 akhmad: Hi Alex, It looks like a "Mission Impossible" to cover a trip report from DRC. But you have brought it to a happy conclusion and got rewarded by the u
61 eastafspot: Hello, Once again well done, i will fly soon to FIH, and thanks to cover this fascinating place. it's great to see the aircraft graveyard!!! It seems
62 abrelosojos: = Ok. I was just speaking to someone here in JNB and they said that Korongo are being "pressured" to work with the current international airline of C
63 iakobos: High security meant in fact for a very long time the highest possible harassment. Strange how people are keen to open their wallet when scare comes i
64 davescj: I had to laugh at your description of FIH. Having been there and Kisingani both, you're so right. It is a totally different experience. It was the on
65 aerobus12: If you don't want to be buried in Congo, I would not recommend flying with ANY middle-african domestic arline.
66 MSS658: Nice report! I feel honored that our national airline is in your top 3. I have flown them once on the BRU-AGP-BRU sector. From BRU to AGP we were 2 ho
67 swedenflyer: Hi, Alex! Very nice trip report and good pictures of the Kinshasa airport. When I found out that SN has a big African network, I was surprised because
68 abrelosojos: = Haha. Very good description of the ground reality. = Any update on what Stavros is up to? = Dave, I flew to Lubumbashi and it was quite the experie
69 fasty: Hola amigo, What a brilliant and lively report ! How cool it must have been to go from the utter chaos of FIH airport to the clean and welcoming J cab
70 abrelosojos: = Thomas, thanks for stopping by. I was too tired by the time I did OUA-BRU - and in keeping with my recent drama, the flight was on the same date as
71 Tomskii: Glad you enjoyed our national carrier, by the way what did you think of BRU itself? You will be glad to know that this year SN has changed all of thei
72 abrelosojos: = Hey - thanks for the reading and comments Tomskii. Well, I usually like BRU - it is far more efficient than other European airports. Of late though
73 LH4116: Hey Alex, great report! SN's J class product is something very unheard of in the forum (hence the industry as well?). I guess given the fact that SN t
74 abrelosojos: = Jonas, actually SN's African routes do very well for them, and are relatively high yielding. They were instrumental in the valuation of the airline
75 A340600: Incredible trip report, thank you for sharing. I've done a bit of travelling in Africa but only just skimmed the surface, so much more I would like to
76 Tomskii: Well I have not seen them yet. But the System is the RAVE system by IMS: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...irlines-to-rave-customer-list.html Th
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