Originally Posted by CA Platinum
Hello,
I will be traveling with my wife and my mother from Brussels to Florence, Italy in February. From the U.S. we are on American Airlines to Brussels, but then we use SN Brussels to/from Florence. Is it possible to get our 3 seats assigned in advance, or is this only done at the airport in Brussels?
Thanks in advance.
This will only be done at the airport (as with most European carriers, business and economy classes effectively use the same seats, divided by a curtain. The pricing structure for fares is very different, with people buying business fares if they need to have a flexible ticket as they are often the same price as the flexible coach/economy fare). Once check-in starts they work out where the curtain needs to be to accomodate the Business Class passengers, and then allocate seats from there.
Note that the Avro RJ's SN use on that route have five across seating, with the A and C seats on one side of the aisle, and DEF on the other side. The seats are relatively roomy (similar to B737) and you will get a compimentary snack and full compimentary bar service (including wine, beer, spirits) on these flights).
AA may be able to get you seat allocations when you check in for the transatlantic flight. They WILL be able to tag your luggage all the way to Florence, so you will not need to reclaim baggage at Brussels.
At Brussels, you will arrive in Concourse B, on the arrivals level, and depart from Concourse A. Walk along the concourse until you reach immigration. DO NOT FOLLOW THE SIGN LABELLED "TRANSFER B1-98" which you will see to the right shortly before the passport check - that is only for onward flights departing from Concourse B.
Go through the passport/immigration check (you will not need to do this again at FLR because Belgium and Italy are in a common travel zone).
Immediately after the passport check, you will find your self in baggage reclaim. Turn right immediately (following the sign for "Gates A30-60). This will take you through some automatic doors (next to baggage claim belts 1 and 2). Then walk along the long corridor (there are moving walkways to help with the distance) and through a security check. They will not need to see your boarding pass for SN Brussels, though may ask to see an eticket receipt or itinerary printout. Once through the check, go up 2 levels and you will find yourself in the departure gate area for Concourse A, with lots of shops etc. There is a transfer desk in the shopping area which can issue your boarding pass. Alternatively, just go to your gate and get your boarding pass there.
If your AA flight is running late, someone will usually be at the jetway to take connecting passengers directly to their connecting flight - just look out for the uniformed ground staff member with a clipboard!