During a lovely dinner in February 2023, Steve, Philippe and I decided to visit Athens during the – Catholic – Easter Holiday. As I was lucky to have the full Easter weekend – Saturday, Sunday and Monday – off, I booked flights and a room. Steve and Philippe arrived in the capital of Greece two days earlier. It wasn’t Orthodox Easter, so for the Athenians, it was a normal, low-season, weekend.

How would the flight home to Brussels Airport with Brussels Airlines be? The flight to Athens featured a so-so breakfast and as much sleep as possible. On the return flight, that was not necessary. 

Oer plane was an Airbus A320, which bares little differences with the A319. We were lucky to fly on Aerosmurf, one Brussels Airlines’ “iconic” liveries.  It was not my first time on Aerosmurf. #SNsmurf flew me to Tel Aviv in 2018. 

But now I was in business class. The concept is the same as on the first flight. Hard economy seats with the middle seat kept free. I was alone on my row. 1A was taken so I chose 1F. 

This time I had more energy to enjoy the in-flight service. I started with a glass of champagne, because why not? Te meal featured some cheese-filled ravioli which I found to be okay, if not spectacular. But Steve and Philippe weren’t impressed. 

As a dessert there was tartlet and two Neuheus pralines. Philippe and Steve took full advantage of the friendly service and asked for more drinks, but I was fine with my glass of champagne and water. But many other drinks were available. 

Is business class worth it on short haul?

Is business class worth it on short-haul? For the small premium (550 euros instead of 500) I paid absolutely. Lounge access, seat selections, two checked bags. That is worth 50 euros and more.

Don’t do it for the service on board as such, but consider flying ‘C’ instead of ‘Y’ when the price difference is small or you want to take a lot of luggage. Fo a cruise, for instance. 

New menu since June 2023

I flew in April 2023. Since June 2023, there is a new business class menu at Brussels Airlines. “The airline remains committed to products and dishes with a Belgian culinary touch. In addition, reusable porcelain and steel cutlery are making their comeback. Not only does the porcelain provide a pleasant experience, it’s also more environmentally friendly”, the press release said.

“As of June, the breakfast menu on flights below 80 minutes offers a fresh sandwich accompanied by a pain au chocolat or a croissant and fresh fruit. For early snackers, the classic fruit and cheese brochette gives way to Belgian tapas, with a finger food-sized sandwich or quiche, accompanied by a fresh salad and petit fours made with Belgian speculoos, cuberdon or chocolate. On flights above 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 the loyal frequent flyers with variation on their travels.”

Brussels Airlines is reintroducing porcelain as well as steel cutlery in business class.

Athens 2023

1. REVIEW | Antwerp city centre to Brussels Airport (Zaventem) Airport Express shuttle bus service.
2. REVIEW | Brussels to Athens with Brussels Airlines Airbus A319, in business class, early morning.
3. ATHENS | Monastiraki – Plaka – Syntagma – National Garden – Zappeion – Hadrian’s Gate – Temple of Olympian Zeus – Panathenaic Stadium.
4. Ancient Agora of Athens.
5. REVIEW | Restaurant Kuzina in Athens.
6. REVIEW | Single room at Fresh Hotel Athens.
7. The Acropolis of Athens.
8. ATHENS | Acropolis Museum.
9. REVIEW | Michelin-star restaurant Hytra in Athens.
10. REVIEW | Aegean Business Lounge, Athens International Airport, Area B-Intra Schengen.