Brussels Airlines "The Loft" at BRU - Schengen A-Pier lounge
#31
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,839
As some of you might now, I have personally been heavily involved in the concept and design of this new lounge, so I would really appreciate any feedback from your personal visits to "The Loft". Let me know what you think of the passenger experience, the concept of the digital experience called "ConnectedLounge" (which lets you, for example, pre-book a shower spa, reminds you when its time to leave the lounge for boarding, enables you to watch the same movies on your smart device as you can on board etc.) and much more.
Any feedback is appreciated, either here on the forum or by sending me a PM.
Thanks a lot!
Any feedback is appreciated, either here on the forum or by sending me a PM.
Thanks a lot!
#32
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PDX
Programs: kayaker
Posts: 851
I've never tried to do this since I'm BRU-based and therefore always originating or ending here, but next time I'm through there I'll try to snoop more thoroughly and report back on whether this is possible. As an aside, though, the SN lounge dragons are among the more strict and may decline you entry and send you back to the B pier and its lounge.
#33
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Berlin
Posts: 171
We were one of the first guests there it looks. early morning on Friday Even check-in staff didn't know new lounge was open. The lounge is great, breakfast options were the best I ever experienced with airport lounges in Europe... All in all it makes really nice impression. The only problem is sitting area - good enough for single travellers, while couples are really limited in choice - almost no possibilities on runway side of the lounge. Only one coffee machine was working properly as well Still... It's a mile ahead maaaany *G lounges across EU.
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,583
While I can see its a great lounge-in fact the OH was there Saturday and said it was. The cynic in me finds it rather odd that SN are chucking money on their short-haul EU network considering their finances and the direction it is taken. SN is now under "attack" from both U2 and FR in BRU, a battle they cannot win in the end I fear. Sure the EU money will keep certain routes but its going to be a difficult few years for SN. Meanwhile, the part of the company that is supposed to be profitable dealing with Africa is lumbered with poor lounges in the B terminal.
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,192
Great review, thanks.
"Four beers on tap - Stella Artois, Leffe Blonde, Leffe Brune, Hoegaarden"
In Belgium, the home of the greatest beers in the world, they come up with these 4? Yuck.
"Four beers on tap - Stella Artois, Leffe Blonde, Leffe Brune, Hoegaarden"
In Belgium, the home of the greatest beers in the world, they come up with these 4? Yuck.
#38
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PDX
Programs: kayaker
Posts: 851
While I can see its a great lounge-in fact the OH was there Saturday and said it was. The cynic in me finds it rather odd that SN are chucking money on their short-haul EU network considering their finances and the direction it is taken. SN is now under "attack" from both U2 and FR in BRU, a battle they cannot win in the end I fear. Sure the EU money will keep certain routes but its going to be a difficult few years for SN. Meanwhile, the part of the company that is supposed to be profitable dealing with Africa is lumbered with poor lounges in the B terminal.
Though I do agree with the post about improving the food options; perhaps they can just start catering both lounges with the same spread.
#39
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: AMS/RTM
Posts: 2,827
In the morning with the 3 UA flights, and the AC flight, it gets pretty busy. I was there last week and it took me a while to find a place to sit.
I believe the B lounge could be greatly improved by removing that horrible "aquarium" in the middle. It breaks the lounge into 3 "hallways", and makes it feel pretty claustrofobic.
I believe the B lounge could be greatly improved by removing that horrible "aquarium" in the middle. It breaks the lounge into 3 "hallways", and makes it feel pretty claustrofobic.
#40
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago, USA
Programs: TK Elite ...and blue, lots of blue...
Posts: 746
While I can see its a great lounge-in fact the OH was there Saturday and said it was. The cynic in me finds it rather odd that SN are chucking money on their short-haul EU network considering their finances and the direction it is taken. SN is now under "attack" from both U2 and FR in BRU, a battle they cannot win in the end I fear. Sure the EU money will keep certain routes but its going to be a difficult few years for SN. Meanwhile, the part of the company that is supposed to be profitable dealing with Africa is lumbered with poor lounges in the B terminal.
The old lounge really was in dire need of a refurbishment. The lounge in B is still OK, maybe they will improve the catering there too.
And regarding "chucking money", I don't think the refurbishment of the lounge takes a big chunk out of the budget, at least if you compare it to what it costs to operate an aircraft.
#41
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PDX
Programs: kayaker
Posts: 851
In the morning with the 3 UA flights, and the AC flight, it gets pretty busy. I was there last week and it took me a while to find a place to sit.
I believe the B lounge could be greatly improved by removing that horrible "aquarium" in the middle. It breaks the lounge into 3 "hallways", and makes it feel pretty claustrophobic.
I believe the B lounge could be greatly improved by removing that horrible "aquarium" in the middle. It breaks the lounge into 3 "hallways", and makes it feel pretty claustrophobic.
My wife agrees with you on the B lounge layout so I guess I'm in the minority, in that I like the dedicated quiet space there. However, (1) many people don't respect that it's a quiet zone and (2) they could just as easily tuck it away in a corner, such as in the section behind the check-in desk.
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Many pax are on a connection Africa-Shengen or US-Shengen hence do use this lounge on the in- or outbound. For Africa, there's also the Sunrise lounge in T.
The old lounge really was in dire need of a refurbishment. The lounge in B is still OK, maybe they will improve the catering there too.
And regarding "chucking money", I don't think the refurbishment of the lounge takes a big chunk out of the budget, at least if you compare it to what it costs to operate an aircraft.
The old lounge really was in dire need of a refurbishment. The lounge in B is still OK, maybe they will improve the catering there too.
And regarding "chucking money", I don't think the refurbishment of the lounge takes a big chunk out of the budget, at least if you compare it to what it costs to operate an aircraft.
#43
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: EWR and KGL (with occasional home/work trips to NRT/ITM)
Programs: MP MM 1K, Sky Miles, Emirates Gold
Posts: 708
I, for one, long for the refurbishment of the Pier B SN lounge. I think it is a disgrace for the SN to keep the international long-haul/Non-Shengen lounge in that state. No shower or bathroom in the lounge and the congestion in the morning is quite something.
#44
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: EWR and KGL (with occasional home/work trips to NRT/ITM)
Programs: MP MM 1K, Sky Miles, Emirates Gold
Posts: 708
I will be flying through BRU on Saturday to go to Rwanda. I will try to go through the immigration to check out the new lounge in A and then walk to T (rather then take a transfer bus from B to T). I can not wait to try it.
Last edited by Atuchan; Nov 20, 2014 at 3:57 pm
#45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PDX
Programs: kayaker
Posts: 851
Please let us know if this works! I couldn't see a way to navigate the setup without persuading a Belgian immigration official to let you through an area which is supposed to only be for people transiting to Schengen destinations.