Brussels Airlines will add five more Airbus A320neo jets to its short- and medium-haul fleet after the Board of Directors approved the order on August 29, 2025, lifting the carrier’s committed A320neo total to 13 aircraft once all deliveries are complete. The plan cements the airline’s next phase of renewal, with near-term deliveries arriving from the Airbus final assembly lines in Toulouse in late 2025, followed by a second wave from 2027 that will replace older planes while adding one growth aircraft.
“Brussels Airlines has worked very hard to achieve a cost structure that allows the airline to be sustainably profitable, enabling us to reinvest in our company,” CEO Dorothea von Boxberg said. “The A320neo reduces our environmental footprint and offers a more pleasant experience for our passengers. We are very happy to welcome more of these state-of-the-art aircraft to our fleet.” The board’s decision aligns with the Lufthansa Group’s climate goals and the carrier’s strategy to grow capacity profitably while modernizing cabins and improving punctuality over time.
Expanded A320neo plan and delivery timeline
As of August 29, 2025, the renewal track is clear and time-bound:
- In service now: 5 A320neo aircraft flying European routes.
- Near-term deliveries: 3 A320neo scheduled to arrive from November to December 2025, shipped directly from the Airbus factory in Toulouse.
- Newly approved order: 5 A320neo to start arriving in 2027 and continue afterward.
- Projected total by 2028: 13 A320neo in the fleet, assuming all deliveries remain on schedule.
Four of the five newly approved aircraft will replace older jets, while one will expand the fleet. That balance helps the airline lower fuel burn and noise where it flies most—dense European markets—without overshooting demand. The carrier’s use of the A320neo focuses on short- and medium-haul links where quick turnarounds, full cabins, and strict slot limits make efficiency and quiet operations especially useful.
The plan builds on a strong summer: Brussels Airlines reported a 12% rise in passengers during summer 2025, moving nearly 2 million passengers on almost 13,000 flights in July and August. Improved self-service and baggage drop options at Brussels Airport helped manage the extra flow. Even with air traffic control strikes affecting punctuality earlier in the season, the company says it remains confident in its profitability for 2025. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, tying capacity increases to fuel-efficient deliveries is now common across Europe as carriers balance growth with cost pressure and environmental rules.
Sustainability, operations, and passenger experience
For Brussels Airlines, the A320neo is both a climate and customer play:
- Up to 20% lower CO₂ emissions vs. previous generation aircraft.
- Around 50% less noise, especially important near population centers during takeoff and landing.
- Larger overhead bins — about 40% more storage space — to speed boarding and reduce gate-checks.
These upgrades support the airline’s stated environmental goals:
- Halve net carbon emissions by 2030 vs. 2019.
- Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The A320neo gives the carrier a practical tool to meet environmental targets while maintaining capacity.
The European Commission’s work on cleaner flying and tighter emissions regimes increases the value of modern aircraft. For official context on policy drivers, see the European Commission’s aviation environment guidance: European Commission – Aviation and the Environment.
Fleet coordination and related investments
The A320neo rollout complements other group initiatives:
- Long-haul: expanding to 13 Airbus A330 aircraft, with new cabins rolling out from 2027.
- Regional capacity: a wet-lease agreement with Air Baltic for four Airbus A220 aircraft to operate seasonally from late March to October 2025.
- Ground experience: planned renovation of the flagship lounge, THE LOFT, at Brussels Airport to match the quieter, refreshed cabins.
Operational benefits expected from the renewal:
- Reduced maintenance complexity as older jets are retired.
- Improved on-time performance thanks to a younger fleet with fewer unplanned fixes.
- Better passenger experience on busy European city pairs where slots are tight and reliability matters.
Delivery sequence and operational impact
The delivery schedule provides two key decision points for Brussels Airlines:
- The three A320neos arriving in late 2025 can stabilize the winter schedule and set groundwork for summer 2026.
- The five aircraft from 2027 mark a larger shift away from older narrowbodies by 2028, with four acting as replacements and one adding capacity.
These phased deliveries mean benefits will accrue gradually:
- More consistent cabin features and fewer last-minute aircraft swaps.
- Quieter cabins and larger bins to ease boarding and passenger comfort.
- Lower fuel burn supporting profitability and reduced community noise impact.
While external factors (e.g., air traffic control disruptions) can still affect operations, newer aircraft generally support steadier day-to-day performance.
Tracking the rollout and further information
Travelers and observers can follow updates on the airline’s official channels:
- Route plans and service changes: Brussels Airlines Official Website.
- Climate and community goals: Brussels Airlines Social Responsibility.
These resources outline how the carrier sees the A320neo helping meet targets for carbon reduction, noise control, and passenger comfort through the end of the decade.
Bottom line
The next steps are set:
- Three A320neo due between November and December 2025 from Toulouse.
- Five newly approved jets arriving starting in 2027.
- Full integration expected by 2028, bringing the A320neo count to 13.
Inside the Lufthansa Group, Brussels Airlines’ order aligns with group-wide climate and cost priorities and helps harmonize maintenance and training. For customers, this means a steadier experience on core European routes over time: more modern jets, quieter cabins, larger bins, and improved operational stability. The airline will share more details as the late-2025 deliveries arrive and the 2027 intake nears, but the trajectory is clear: a younger, more efficient narrowbody fleet aimed at meeting both demand and environmental goals.
This Article in a Nutshell
On 29 August 2025 Brussels Airlines’ Board approved five additional Airbus A320neo aircraft, increasing the carrier’s committed total to 13 by 2028. Three A320neos will arrive from Toulouse between November and December 2025, and five more will start to be delivered from 2027. Four of the 2027 aircraft will replace older jets while one will expand capacity, improving fuel efficiency, noise reduction and passenger experience on short- and medium-haul European routes. The A320neo delivers up to 20% lower CO₂ emissions and roughly 50% less noise, supporting Brussels Airlines’ goals to halve net carbon by 2030 and reach neutrality by 2050. The programme complements other group initiatives, including A330 long-haul cabin upgrades and a seasonal wet-lease of four A220s with Air Baltic. Expected operational benefits include lower maintenance complexity, improved punctuality and steadier service as deliveries phase in through 2027–2028.
