Name: Lars Redeligx
Title: Chief commercial officer
Company, city: Brussels Airlines; Brussels, Belgium
Number of employees: 3,500
Recent project: Our new commercial strategy will bolster the company against the ever-increasing low-cost competition in the Belgian market, offering 21 new destinations to attract business and leisure travelers at low fares but with high-level service. Soon we’ll launch a new frequent-flyer program for the not-so-frequent traveler.
First job: A trainee in Beiersdorf, the German company that makes Nivea and much more
Little-known fact about you: When I travel, I kitesurf wherever possible. From New York to Dubai, Norway to Vietnam, I get to know places from the water.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: Customers don’t want compromises, neither on price nor on service.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Build a strong team of people who like to challenge the status quo. Travel with open eyes and an open mind.
Yardstick of success: Brussels Airlines’ return to profitability in 2015
Lars Redeligx as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? Contact lenses — I forgot them once.
How do you spend your time on board? Talking to crew and customers. I work when necessary and take a break when possible.
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? Perry’s Beach Club in Renesse, Holland, is a great place to be with family in summer.
What is your favorite destination in the world? Hamburg, my hometown, by the harbor, and New York
About Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is recognized for its premium onboard food and beverages. Tell our readers about these innovations.
We want to do more than just fly from A to B. Our vision is to build a personal airline — almost boutique — that brings people together and makes traveling a pleasure, and we have invested in our in-flight product, catering and ground services. Our entire Airbus A330 long-haul fleet is now equipped with a state-of-the-art cabin. Business class is exclusive and club-like with only 22 or 30 lie-flat seats. Economy features ergonomic seats with a generous 31- to 32-inch seat pitch and the same state-of-the art in-flight entertainment as in business. We are a flying ambassador of the well-known Belgian gourmet cuisine, part of our “Belgitude” approach offering a “Best of Belgium” experience and hospitality. Our guests traveling long-haul business class not only choose from fine-dining options prepared by Michelin-starred Belgian chefs but also, starting this year, can discover eight different Belgian special beers from a beer card created by our in-house beer connoisseur. Guests can also enjoy great Belgian chocolates and cookies.
Our clients and international experts welcomed these efforts. We are proud to have won Global Traveler’s Wines on the Wing competition three times in a row and to have been voted Best Trans-Atlantic Airline last year. These awards inspire us to continue our investments in quality.
What does Brussels Airlines offer premium business travelers?
Brussels offers smooth connections between the United States and Europe as well as Africa. If you connect from a Schengen Area destination to the United States, terminal walking distances are 325 feet or less. In Brussels, we opened our new flagship lounge “The Loft,” which redefines the standards of a business lounge with “Belgitude,” an outstanding customer experience and the world’s first digital offer in cooperation with Microsoft.
What’s in store for Brussels Airlines in 2015, particularly in North America?
We have great news for guests traveling with us between Brussels and Washington, D.C., as they can now enjoy more onward connections to dozens of Brussels Airlines destinations in Europe and Africa or to U.S. gateways. We continue to operate our popular daily service between Brussels and New York JFK. For U.S. clients who wish to spend summer holidays in Europe, Brussels Airlines and our convenient home base Brussels Airport offer ideal gateways, extending our network this summer with several exciting destinations and increased frequencies on existing destinations. We are also convinced U.S. travelers will appreciate our new onward smooth and comfortable connections between Washington, D.C.; New York; and Tel Aviv via Brussels Airport.
Read This Next
Looking Ahead: Letter From The Editor
2015 / September 2015
Oct 1, 2015Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 18, 2024Noble House Hotels & Resorts Acquires Chatham Inn Relais & Châteaux
Noble House Hotels & Resorts, the family-owned boutique hotel brand, welcomes Chatham Inn Relais & Châteaux to its portfolio of unique properties. The previous owner and now co-owner of this award-winning property, Jeff Ippoliti, selected Noble House to co-own and manage the property, bringing the total number of North American luxury hotels, resorts and experiences for the brand to 24.
Sponsored Content
Why Buy Trip Cancellation Insurance?
Don’t risk losing all the money you’ve spent if you must cancel your trip at the last minute. Allianz Travel Insurance can give you:
Daily
Mar 18, 2024A New Six Senses Comes to the Caribbean This May
Designed to reflect the look and atmosphere of a Caribbean village, the new Six Senses La Sagesse on the Spice Island of Grenada will offer 56 pool suites with open-plan bedrooms, each with an outdoor terrace leading to a private plunge pool, when it opens this May. The property marks the first Six Senses resort in the Caribbean.
March 2024
Mar 18, 2024Women Hoteliers Share Their Stories of Accomplishment in Rising to the Top
The hospitality workforce is more than 50 percent female (according to the 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics), but the top tier remains very much male-dominated. The Penn State School of Hospitality Management’s 2023 Women in Hospitality research report finds that for every female chief officer, four men hold that title. Global Traveler had the privilege of speaking with several women in leadership roles to gain their insights and personal stories and to learn what it takes for a woman to reach a top position in hospitality today.
Sponsored Content
Reconnecting the World: GBTA Convention 2023 Spotlights the Vital Role of Business Travel and In-Person Connection
In an increasingly digital and interconnected world, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Convention remains an indispensable platform for business travel industry professionals seeking to make the most of the power of face-to-face connections. Taking place August 13–15 in Dallas, the 2023 GBTA Convention provides the unique opportunity for professionals and companies to join visionaries, thought leaders and industry experts for meaningful networking, cutting-edge insights and inspiring innovation.
Daily
Mar 18, 2024Miami International Airport Reaches Unprecedented Heights in Passenger, Cargo Numbers
2023 marked a historic year for Miami International Airport. Recent reports show MIA achieved its highest-ever annual passenger total, seeing 52.3 million travelers in 2023, which marked a 3.2 percent increase over the previous year’s record. International travel surged 8.5 percent, with 23.2 million passengers. Domestic traffic was just slightly down, at 0.5 percent and 29.1 million.
Saint James Paris Welcomes New Chef
Daily
Mar 15, 2024March 2024
Mar 14, 2024San Antonio Preserves Its Past While Envisioning What Lies Ahead
The most historic city in Texas is refurbishing, renovating and reimagining heritage sites, old buildings and whole neighborhoods, bridging the centuries of this Lone Star treasure.
Sponsored Content
Hit the High Notes in Nashville
Nashville’s once-modest skyline continues to evolve as its luxury market grows. Lavish hotel properties are added to the landscape while acclaimed chefs stake claim in the robust culinary scene and premier cultural offerings round out the city’s repertoire.
Daily
Mar 14, 2024Coco Collection Introduces New Villa Designs and Features
Coco Collection debuts updated offerings at its two resorts in the Maldives, with remodeled villas at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and a new infinity pool at Coco Bodu Hithi.
ShareThis