OO-SFW took to the skies in 1994 when the Airbus A330-300 was the new, big thing in commercial aircraft. The airliner started flying for LTU Airlines in December, 1994. The first A333 entered service in January of that year with Air Inter. We photographed this airplane, now with Brussels Airlines, on October 7, 2018 while plane spotting at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
For full-size, high resolution versions for any of the photos in the image gallery, simply click on the individual pictures. See below for more detailed information on OO-SFW, the Airbus A330-300 model in general and the airline.
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OO-SFW
Airbus A330-300
Brussels Airlines
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OO-SFW Brussels Airlines Airbus A330-300 Image Gallery
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OO-SFW
OO-SFW performed its first flight on November 24, 1994 and was delivered to LTU Airlines on December 12, 1994 as D-AERF. That airline was founded in 1955 and merged with Air Berlin in 2009. LTU was headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany and had a fleet of 26 airliners flying to 56 destinations. At the time, D-AERF would have been configured for 361 passengers, far more cramped than its current capacity of 288.
On June 1, 2006, the A330-322 was delivered to Air Madrid as EC-JTB. That airline was shortlived, founded in 2003 and suspending operations on December 16, 2006. Among the fleet of ten aircraft, there were two A333 models. The other was picked up by Air Asia while EC-JTB became OO-SFW with Brussels Airlines.
On June 2, 2007, the airliner was officially delivered to Brussels Airlines. This is one of eleven A333 aircraft in the fleet. The airplane is configured for a maximum of 288 passengers with 30 seats in business class and 258 economy class seats.
On June 11, 2011, OO-SFW was flying from Brussels, Belgium to Monrovia, Liberia. At 37,000 feet, just north of Toulouse, France, there was an indication of a loss of pressure in one of the hydraulic systems. The A333 was diverted to Toulouse for a safe landing. After overnight repairs, the airliner continued to its destination the following day with a delay of 22 hours.
On April 21, 2013, a midair disaster involving OO-SFW was narrowly avoided. Flying from Banjul, Gambia to Brussels, the Airbus A330-300 was at 39,000 feet near Nouakchott, Mauritania. At the same time, an Air France Airbus A330-200 was also at 39,000 in the same area. Both were moved in time to avoid a collision and both continued on to their destinations without further incident.
See more aircraft at our Brussels Airlines fleet page.
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Airbus A330-300
The initial variant of the Airbus A330 Family, the Airbus A330-300 took its maiden flight in November, 1992. The first A333 was introduced with launch customer Air Inter in January, 1994. Air Inter was a French airline that commenced operations in 1958 and ceased ops in 1997 when it was merged into Air France.
The Airbus A330-300 is 64 metres or 209 feet in length with a wingspan of 60 metres or 198 feet. At the tail, the airliner stands 17 metres or 55 feet in height. The flight range is 11,750 kilometres.
Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines was founded in 2006 and commenced operations in March, 2007 following the merger between SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance and is under the Lufthansa Group ownership. Brussels Airlines has roots with Sabena, a Belgian airline that was founded in 1923 and ceased operations in 2001.
Headquartered in Diegem, Machelen, Belgium, Brussels Airlines has a fleet of over 50 aircraft flying to nearly 125 destinations around the world. The fleet is now made up entirely of airliners manufactured by Airbus. The largest is the Airbus A340-300 while the smallest is the Airbus A319-100.