On Wednesday 18 April I flew with Brussels Airlines SN3721 from Brussels Airport in Belgium to Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas in Spain. I flew back on Sunday 22 April with SN3728.

The plane used for the first flight was an Airbus A320-200 registered OO-TCV previously used by Thomas Cook Airlines, Condor and Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium. As you can see on the photos, OO-TCV still sports the latter’s interior design.

SN3271 departed Brussels more or less on time and landed more or less on time in Madrid. Taxiing to the Spanish gate lasted forever though, at least fifteen minutes.

My friend Tim and I booked Check&Go seats (N and S). Looking at other passengers, it’s what most did. You’re allowed one piece of hand luggage, for example a carry-on trolley. You’re also allowed to carry a small item such as a ‘normal’ backpack, a purse, a briefcase or a laptop bag.

Uneventful

What to tell about the flight? It’s very short haul, with a flight time of two hours and 25 minutes. Drinks and snacks are to be paid for. The seats were hard and the legroom was limited but doable for the flight time.

I couldn’t help comparing the seat configuration with that of Siemens Desiro Mainline electrical multiple unit trains used by the NMBS/SNCB in Belgium. Perfect for short journey, less so for longer services.

Looking at the deactivated but present entertainment system I fear OO-TCV used to be used for mid or long haul.

Return flight

The return flight on Sunday, SN3728, offered a similar experience. OO-SNL is an Airbus 320-214 with a Brussels Airlines blue and red interior design. It might be my perception, bu the seats seemed a bit less hard on the bum.

We departed with thirty minutes delay and landed ten minutes delay. The ride was bumpy in the beginning. A group of girls screamed for the lives which made me roll my eyes. This is not a theme park. Guess what, turbulence happens.

In short, the flights with SN were ok. Nothing more, nothing less.