As its 787 Dreamliners undergo maintenance, LOT Polish is using Air Belgium to operate one of its flagship routes.
Starting today and running through at least March 11, 2019, Air Belgium will be operating LOT’s flights between Warsaw and New York JFK utilizing one of its A340-300 aircraft. Three of LOT’s 787-8 Dreamliners are out of commission due to issues with the Rolls Royce Trent engines, forcing the Polish carrier to get creative.
For passengers onboard, I’d rate the business class seats slightly better on Air Belgium than on LOT. LOT’s Dreamliners have 2-2-2 seating while the Air Belgium A340 will offer staggered 1-2-2 / 1-2-1 seating. That means more seats with direct aisle access, though I actually prefer the lack of footwells on the LOT seats.
> Read More: LOT 787 Business Class Chicago to Warsaw Review
This process is called a wet lease. Air Belgium will provide not only the aircraft, but the complete crew, maintenance, and insurance. Air Belgium is also operating a long-term wet lease for British Airways’ on the carrier’s London Heathrow to Dubai flight.
CONCLUSION
While Air Belgium may not have done well as its own airline operating from Brussels South Charleroi Airport, it seems to have found its niche as a wet lease and charter operator.
You can read an in-depth business class review of Air Belgium from One Mile at a Time here.
image: Air Belgium
Don’t forget Air Belgium is also operating LHR – Newark flights on behalf of BA.
Flew on the plane twice this past month from Toronto to Warsaw Poland and can’t say anything better then awesome service. This plane flew very flawless having 4 engines made me feel even more comfortable.