Brussels Airlines is improving its business class menu experience on the airline’s short and medium haul flights.
For the month of June 2023, the airline will present its business class passengers with different weekly menus that bring focus to Belgian culinary specialties.
The airline said in a press statement that in addition to reemphasizing its position as Belgium’s flag carrier, the upgraded business class dining experience will also be more environmentally friendly.
Increased interest in business class travel
Brussels Airlines said that based on their reservation data, an increased number of travelers from Belgium are interested in flying business class. In April 2023, the number of business class seats sold doubled, compared to the same period in 2019.
As a response to the increased demand, the airline’s inflight catering product team developed a new concept for business class catering on short and medium haul flights, focusing on fresh food with more variation and products made in Belgium.
“Belgium being known for its high quality cuisine, it’s important for us to share the Belgian culinary know-how with our international guests,” Xandra Quak, Brussels Airlines inflight product manager said in a press release.
Business class meal offering: Fresh fruits, salads, and sweets
Image: Brussels Airlines
For June 2023, Brussels Airlines’ breakfast menu on flights shorter than 80 minutes will offer fresh sandwiches accompanied by a pain au chocolat or a croissant and fresh fruit.
Classic fruit and cheese brochette will accompany Belgian tapas, along with a finger food-sized sandwich or quiche, with a fresh salad and petit fours made with Belgian speculoos, cuberdon or chocolate.
On flights lasting longer than 80 minutes, passengers will be presented with a fresh seasonal salad, along with a dessert of macarons or Neuhaus chocolates.
On flights over 2.5 hours, passengers can enjoy a hot meal with a dessert and fresh cheese. The meals will vary from week to week, providing frequent flyers with variations on their travels.
Reintroduction of porcelain and reusable cutlery
Due to its repeat use feature and generally being more environmentally friendlier than single-use plastics, the airline will reintroduce the use of porcelain dishes and steel cutlery in business class.
Yogurt in plastic tub packaging will be replaced by fresh yogurt in a porcelain bowl.
“We continuously work on reducing waste to further improve our ecological footprint,” Sandy Coenen, inflight product manager of Brussels Airlines said in the same press release.
Extended collaboration with Neuhaus chocolates
Image: Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines will also extend its collaboration with Belgian chocolatier Neuhaus.
After a three-year break due to the pandemic, large chocolate boxes will make their reappearance on board long haul flights and every business class passenger will receive a chocolate gift box. The airline and chocolate company have partnered since 2003.
The renewed partnership will also extend to “THE LOFT” lounge at Brussels Airport (BRU). THE LOFT is a project of Brussels Airlines and luxury vehicle brand Lexus, and the airline lounge features live chocolate making by master chocolatier Eric Lauwers.
image : Brussels Airlines
“Our partnership with Neuhaus is one of the longest-running collaborations in our existence. Chocolate is a perfect match with what we stand for as an airline: 100% Belgian passion and quality. On our long haul flights alone, more than 300,000 business class passengers can taste one of Belgium’s top products,” Nicolas Iritcity, inflight product manager of Brussels Airlines said in a statement.