The Wingspan: December 2023 Issue
Say bonjour + goedendag to Brussels! Our new in-flight entertainment highlight: the Orville.
Letter from the CEO
Season’s Greetings! Northwings is excited to launch the digital edition of the Wingspan, our award-winning in-flight magazine, available to all passengers on our flights. I hope that our transition to a digital format comes free of turbulence.
As we gear up for the holiday travel season, we hope that you reach your destination safely. You can learn more about the magazine and our history here.
Tony Choi
CEO, Northwings
Brussels: Dive into the Heart of Europe
Brussels Airport markets itself as the heart of Europe, and it’s not hard to see why. Surrounded by the Dutch-speaking Flanders region and a stone’s throw from French-speaking Wallonia, Brussels is the capital of the small north western European kingdom of Belgium. If its linguistic hints are anything, it is the beating heart of Europe with the main bodies of the European Union where its rich history of being the crossroads where the historic European empires converged pays dividends in its rich cultural fabric. With our new daily flights from our Lisbon Airport European hub to Brussels Airport daily, you’ll jump right into the pulse of this vibrant city.
One Day Itinerary
Breakfast: Gaufres de Bruxelles | Grasmarkt 113 | Opens at 8 a.m. CET
Start your day right with what you came to Brussels for: waffles. In Belgium, waffles are any-time-of-the-day kind of a meal, but we find that waffles and coffee are the perfect way to launch your Aventure á la Bruxelloise.
10 a.m. CET: Grand Place / Grote Markt
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Grand Place has been the center of the city since the 12th century, which makes it the heart of heart of Europe, even surviving the bombardment of 1695 that destroyed a third of the city. Lose yourself in the decadent 17th century architecture that encloses one of Europe’s most famous plazas as Victor Hugo did during his exile in Belgium in the 1852. If you catch yourself here in August 2024, the plaza will be covered in a giant flower carpet that covers the entire square.
Lunch: Wolf Market | Wolvengracht 48C | Opens at noon CET
Experience the cosmopolitanism of Brussels at full display at Wolf Market. From the delectable Vietnamese flavors at Hanoi Station to the rich burgers of Les Super Filles du Tram, Wolf Market is the perfect spot for a respite, just steps away from Grand Place. Be sure to check out the microbrewery at the center of the food hall to get a taste of that famed Belgian brew. Santé!
1 p.m. CET | Royal Quarter
While the Belgian royals actually live in the suburbs in Laeken, the Royal Quarter still has the breath of legacy that the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V impressed upon the city. The quarter is dotted with arts that encompass the High Renaissance all the way to the vision of art that lies in the dreams of the artists today.
Dessert: Mary | 23 Grand Place
What’s a trip to Belgium complete without chocolate? Legend has it that in 1919, Mary Delluc became the first woman chocolatier to have her own chocolaterie in the city and quickly became the royals’ favorite. Whether you have the praline or the truffles, you’ll never taste chocolate quite the same ever again. {Pro tip: Mary has two additional locations near Grand Place if you want to avoid the tourist rush}
4 p.m. CET: Atomium
From the 17th Century, leap forward in time to Expo 58 when one of the most prominent icons of the city was built. The Atomium has survived multiple attempts of its destruction, and stands as an enduring symbol of city’s commitment to enjoin tradition with modernity. We highly recommend the museum housed inside the Atomium not only for its exhibits, but for its magnificent views of the city. {Pro tip: Your ticket also includes Design Museum Brussels}.
Dinner: Les Petits Oignons | Rue de la Régence 25 | Opens for dinner at 7 p.m. CET
Located in the timelessly fashionable Sablon district of the city, Les Petits Oignons serves up what is also an equally timelessly Belgian take on the French cuisine. The trilingual menu is the key to unlocking the veritable feast prepared with high quality ingredients. We highly recommend the foie gras.
Stretch Your Adventure to Its Limits
If you’re looking to explore more of what Belgium has to offer, Brussels is the perfect diving board to leap into this cosmopolitan country.
📍Liège (1 hr. via train from Brussels-Midi): If your sweet tooth hasn’t been satisfied by what Brussels has to offer—Liègeois waffles are (in)famously sweeter than their Bruxellois counterparts. Get lost in the majestic columns of the Prince-Bishops' Palace and let the Montagne de Bueren take your breath away after a rewarding urban climb.
📍Ghent (3o min. via train from Brussels-Midi): While Brussels is surrounded by the Dutch-speaking Flanders, its Francophone influences take the front seat. But it only takes a half-hour to dive into Ghent—one of the most important Flemish cities of the Middle Ages. Gravensteen is a 900 year-old castle that has lived multiple lives as a royal castle, prison, court, and a cotton factory that is ready for you to wander through its hallways as the Flemish nobles once did. However, Ghent still hasn’t completely rejected modernity as it is a university city, check out Werregarenstraat to see how street art and historic architecture all come together.
The Fifth Wing with… Juan Escalante
The Wingspan: Hi Juan! Thanks for sitting down with us. We know that you don’t have a lot of time between all your endeavors, so it means a lot! What are your 5 travel essentials?
Juan: I’m a big fan of simplicity in travel—anything that is multi functional or has the ability to make my life easier at the airport or on the plane, without added extra weight or bulk, is already a plus on my list. That said, my essentials include:
Evolution Cool Neck Pillow from Cabeu: ditch your old, cheap, and uncomfortable travel pillow for this semi-expensive ($60.00 retail) travel pillow. Perhaps the bulkiest item on my packing list, this pillow will ensure you can sleep (and rest!) without having to down a handful of painkillers or do multiple yoga sessions to heal your neck.
Anker chargers: big fan of their cables, cords, and power bricks. Specifically, get any Anker power brick that can charge multiple devices at once AND can handle multiple types of cables (USB-A, USB-C, etc) for all your devices.
A multi purpose backpack: the ULVÖ 30 from Fjällräven does one thing well and that is being a good backpack. Comfortable, light and waterproof, this might not have as may zippers, pockets, and compartments many seek in a backpack of this price tier, but its structure and size ensure you can fit all your tech essentials and still fit under the seat. Note: people pack differently, so while I love this simple backpack, it could be that it’s not for you.
Yeti Water Bottle: simple design and keeps things hot or cold. Why spend $10 for a single use water bottle?
Kind Bar: if you’re on a long trip, this will save your life. Trust me.
WS: What are your top 4 vacation destinations?
J: I haven’t traveled enough to tell you—but [the Scenic] 30A in Florida is definitely top.
WS: What are your 3 air travel tips?
J: If you can: airline loyalty, pre-check, and make sure you know the airport you’re connecting and/lr leaving from (honestly even looking at a map, no shame, helps)
WS: Pretend that you're in a middle seat on our Newark-Cape Town route. Who are your top 2 seatmates? You can pick anyone—living or dead. (Don't worry, they'll be alive during the flight)
J: As of today, that would be my wife Susie and my dog Sophie.
WS: Tell us your 1 favorite travel story.
J: I told a member of Congress they could sit next to me in first class and they told me they had to fly coach. Perpetual embarrassment.
WS: Thank you for an awesome interview! We hope to catch you on the next leg of your journey!
Juan Escalante is a nationally renowned immigrant rights advocate and online strategist who has been at the forefront of various federal and state legislative campaigns. The oldest of three brothers, Juan arrived in the United States in 2000, alongside his family and has devoted himself to fighting for policy changes at all levels of government to help undocumented immigrants. Juan currently lives in Los Angeles, and occasionally publishes opinions, updates, and analysis via Inbox One.
Streaming in the Clouds
Northwings is committed to providing the best inflight entertainment selection for all of our passengers. With our rotating selection of movies and television shows, even our new Seoul to Perth route—will go by quicker than you can say bon voyage!
New Additions
The Morning Show
The Orville
Lightyear
Elemental
Lessons in Chemistry
Entertainment Highlight: The Orville
The Orville, at first glance, seems to be a pastiche of the original Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Seth MacFarlane’s fan fiction with original characters as to not infringe upon copyrighted characters from Gene Roddenberry’s sprawling universe of Klingons, Romulans, and Vulcans. But on a deeper dive, it’s a rich exploration of the genre alongside MacFarlane’s Family Guy sensibilities that draws from other works of science fiction like Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica and Stargate.
While the first season is technically required viewing for the lore and universe-building, in true Star Trek fashion, however, the series does not really find its footing until the middle of second season. Many prestige actors with the notable exception of Sir Patrick Stewart eschew appearing in science fiction to avoid being typecast, but most of the cast does a fine job when called upon to step up to the plate.
Highlights: A Tale of Two Topas (Season 3, Episode 5); Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (Season 2, Episode 13); Twice in a Lifetime (Season 3, Episode 6)
For Those Who Enjoy: sweeping orchestral arrangements, impressive CGI battle scenes, Star Trek fans who crave more of the The Next Generation and Strange New Worlds formula, Star Trek cast cameos, Dolly Parton
Not For Those Who Want: “prestige” acting, believable love stories, gripping political narratives, “hard” science fiction.