British Airways Is Using a Tiny Belgian Airline to Operate Some Flights to the US
It's been quite the wild ride for Air Belgium since it emerged 10 months ago. In April 2018, the airline came out of nowhere to start booking flights between Hong Kong (HKG) and Brussels' secondary airport South Charleroi Airport (CRL).
Inaugural flights were originally set for Apr. 30 -- a very aggressive launch window considering it started selling tickets just weeks before. Sure enough, the inaugural was pushed back to June 3 just days before the first flight was supposed to take off.
By late June 2018, Air Belgium shared it was planning an expansion to the United States. Meanwhile, it was struggling to sell enough tickets to justify its only route. By the end of September, the airline suspended all flights and transitioned into a wet lease operator. As one last Hail Mary, it planned to launch a new route between Brussels and Zhengzhou. That route would never take off.
Since the beginning of October, Air Belgium has flown just four flights with an Air Belgium flight number. Instead, it's found some success for its fleet of four Airbus A340-300 aircraft as a wet lease operator for:
- British Airways between London Heathrow (LHR) and Dubai (DXB) and London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi (AUH)
- Air France between Paris (CDG) and Lagos (LOS)
- Surinam Airways between Paramaribo (PBM) and Amsterdam (AMS)
- TUI Fly with one-off flights from Brussels (BRU) to Varadero (VRA), Montego Bay (MBJ), Tenerife (TFS) and Gran Canaria (LPA)
- Aigle Azur with a one-off flight between Paris (ORY) and Campinas (VCP)
Now, Air Belgium will finally get its wish to launch flights to the United States -- just not in the way it had originally planned. With British Airways' 787-9 Dreamliners still affected by the Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engine inspections and repairs, BA will utilize Air Belgium aircraft for flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and Newark (EWR) from April 1 and June 8.
The flights will operate on the following schedule:
- BA 185 — London Heathrow (LHR) 10:50am Departure ⇒ Newark (EWR) 1:40pm Arrival
- BA 184 — Newark (EWR) 6:05pm Departure ⇒ London Heathrow (LHR) 6:15am +1 day Arrival
The British Airways Boeing 787-9 that the Air Belgium A340 is replacing has all four classes of service: First, Club World (business), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy). However, Air Belgium's A340 only has business class, premium economy and economy.
As part of this aircraft swap, there's at least going be a need to downgrade first-class passengers. But, there's likely to be many more involuntary downgrades. Air Belgium only has 15 business class seats vs. 42 on British Airways' 787-9, and there's only 21 premium economy seats on Air Belgium vs. 39 on British Airways' 787-9.
British Airways anticipates that there will be backlash for this move, and it's prepared to offer travelers a "range of options."
"If your long haul flight this summer is due to be operated by Air Belgium on behalf of British Airways we recognise that you may not wish to travel as a result," the airline said. "If you wish to discuss the range of options available please contact us or your travel agent if you made your booking through them."
For those that plan to stick with these Air Belgium flights, British Airways responds to many questions travelers may have on this announcement page. Travelers who paid for seats are being "allocated a similar seat," but may request a refund if its "no longer suitable."
Checked baggage and lounge access will be honored per the original booking and eligibility. No Wi-Fi or duty free will be available on the new flights. But the good news is that "Avios and tier points will be credited to your Executive Club account as per your original booking."
H/T: Aviation24
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.