A Great New Angle (BRU/EBBR)

Hello everyone! I’m back with another spotting topic!

It hasn’t been too long since the last one, and I’ve actually been a few times since then, so I might make a few more topics soon (don’t quote me on that).

Anyway, a few days ago, on the 12th of November, me and a school buddy decided to go to Brussels again to spot a rare arrival. Not as rare as something that came a few days prior but we had school then so we couldn’t go see that particular plane.

First we went to one of the purpose built spotting platforms, but later in the day we walked quite a while and went to go stand in a field under the approach path of the other runway.

As always, these shots are edited.

Basic information:

  • Landing runways: 25L and 25R
  • Departing runway: 25R
  • Camera: Fujifilm X-T2
  • Lens: Fujifilm XF 100-400mm

And here come the photos!

First off, after already being at the platform for a while, we saw the butter machine up close and personal, with this Hainan Airlines Airbus A330-200 (B-5955) buttering the bread after flying from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK/ZBAA).

Right after that we got to see out home carrier doing a nice touchdown, as always (totally not bias). Here we have a Brussels Airlines Airbus A320 (OO-SNH) touching down after a flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG/LFPG).

Shortly after that we got to see something entirely different- oh wait no. It’s still a Brussels Airlines Airbus A320 (OO-SNA) but this time in the Trident livery coming in from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP/LIMC).

After a while, we decided to move to a new location in preparation for the special arrival later in the day.

After moving there and having settled down, we were treated to the absolute beauty that is this Air Belgium Airbus A340-300 (OO-ABA) coming in from Hamad International Airport (DOH/OTHH), doing a cargo flight on behalf of Qatar Airways.

A while after that beauty, I actually came past some horrible news. Brussels Airlines’ new logo had been leaked (it was supposed to be unveiled on the 18th of November) and, well we have to say goodbye to that iconic “b” on the tail…

I decided then and there I’d edit as many Brussels Airlines shots as I could, this being another one of those. This Brussels Airlines Airbus A319 (OO-SSL) on short final after flying from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER/EDDB).

Nearing the arrival time of the special plane of the day, we got to see a few more heavies on approach. This AirBridgeCargo Boeing 747-8F (VQ-BRJ) arriving from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG/KCVG) being one of them.

Right after that, we got to see another 747. This time a Silk Way West Airlines Boeing 747-400F (4K-SW888) passing over us after a flight from Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD/UBBB).

Sometime later we got some private jet action. This Euro-Asia Air Embraer Legacy 650 coming in from Pulkovo (LED/ULLI).

Almost immediately after we got treated to another butter machine, this time a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-300 (G-VSXY) arriving from Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) with some leaves making a cameo.

And finally, last but certainly not least, the aircraft we were all waiting for, this stunning Vietnam Airlines Airbus A350-900 (VN-A897) on short final after a long flight from Noibai International Airport (HAN/VVNB).

And cut! Great job everyone! This was another successful spotting session, and I even met some fellow spotters while waiting for the special of the day. I could have definitely gone without finding out Brussels Airlines’ new livery, but what can you do…

Anyway I hope you all like the shots! And I’ll probably start plugging my Instagram from now on, like all big time spotters do am I right? Please don’t hate me.*

My Instagram (most recent post).

See you next time everyone!

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Original pic


Jokes apart, really nice photos you got there

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Didn’t even notice that typo xD. Fixed it now.

Also thank you!

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Ok you entered the game a month ago and you’re already one of my favorite IFC spotters. Really. There are crisp, focused, frontlit, and very well made. This definitely deserves more attention. Bookmarked.

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Thank you so much mate! Really means a lot.

Although I have been making spotting topics for a little longer than a month, they just only recently got fairly good.

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Lol i know but you really outdid yourself with that NEO topic around a month ago

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I am honestly in love with the new logo and I am looking forward to the new livery!

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It’s going to take some getting used to for me. Usually I love new airline logos or liveries (United, Aegean, Aer Lingus, SAS, Lufthansa, etc.), but seeing that iconic “b” go away doesn’t sit right with me for now.

Hopefully it’ll grow on me soon enough.

For me especially the font is a great move though! And the new livery should also make the planes look better cause the current one starts to look pretty outdated to me

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The font gets no complaints from me. I do love that new font, but that’s about it.

Of course we know pretty much nothing about the livery itself yet, but I’m just hoping it doesn’t turn completely white (as I’ve seen in some render).

Beautiful photos!

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Nice Photos!

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Thank you!

@Ritesh321 thank you as well!

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Nice shots! How early do you typically spot at Brussels? I’m flying there next week and would love to have someone spot my plane!

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wow very nice pictures
im sure @Baba will like them

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So wonderful pics! Congrats mate!

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Such amazing plane

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Now this thing is rare to see, you won’t find anymore A340s in the air
Great pictures as well

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@Reid thank you! It really depends on if there’s anything special early in the day, but most of the time I’d be there before 10:00. Not sure if I’ll be going again soon though since I’m getting more and more school wokr, plus exams are closing in.

@Chief_Beef thank you very much!

@Baba thanks mate!

@Aviator_SG yes xD.

@Zach007 sadly they are very rare. I’m very lucky that Air Belgium has 3 of these beauties (2 operating regularly, one in storage) and fly them in and out of Brussels. Definitely a magnificent bird to spot.

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I’ve been lucky enough to see the Virgin Atlantic one back in 2018 thankfully, the air Belgium livery fits the plan I think as well.

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