- Introduction: Flying Brussels Airlines To Tomorrowland
- Review: British Airways Concorde Room New York JFK
- Review: British Airways First Class 747 New York To London
- British Airways Concorde Room London Heathrow Review
- Review: British Airways Club Europe A319 London to Brussels
- Review: Sheraton Brussels Airport
- Review: Brussels Airlines Business Class A330 Brussels To Frankfurt
- Review: Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Flight Frankfurt Gate Party
- Review: Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Flight Frankfurt To Brussels
- Review: TGV Train Brussels To Paris First Class
- Review: ICARE Lounge Paris Charles de Gaulle
- Review: La Compagnie Business Class 757 Paris To Newark
- Review: Andaz Wall Street New York
In the interest of full disclosure, I was a media guest of Brussels Airlines on these flights. I paid for my own hotel and flights to/from Brussels, and for that matter there wasn’t actually a way to buy a ticket on these flights except as part of a Tomorrowland package. All opinions expressed are my own.
As we deplaned in Frankfurt the ground crew had boarding passes waiting for all of us for our return flight, which was in roughly an hour.
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland A330
Brussels Airlines A330
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Departure Gate Frankfurt Airport
I actually didn’t realize till day of that there was also a gate party. In this case it was an enclosed gate, and there were some Lufthansa staff at the door acting as “bouncers.”
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
The setup was ridiculously impressive. Keep in mind that this entire gate was literally set up for an hour (or so) long party for a single flight. I can’t begin to imagine how much work went into planning this all and setting it up.
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
I did a horrible job with the video (I have better ones from onboard the flight), but here’s a very short video of the “scene:”
People were still arriving at the beginning. Many of the passengers were connecting from other flights, and some had tight connections. Others were just catching up with their friends that they were going to Tomorrowland with, because in many cases they had different inbound flights.
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
There was a gate DJ in addition to the inflight DJ, who was with us on the outbound flight from Brussels.
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party DJ Frankfurt Airport
The “elves” posed with anyone that wanted to take pictures with them (in other words, everyone).
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Elves Frankfurt Airport
The Brussels Airlines crew briefly entered the gate area for a couple of photo ops.
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Crew Frankfurt Airport
The captain was hilarious — he was clearly so blown away by the whole scene, as he couldn’t stop laughing.
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Crew Frankfurt Airport
And then the “inflight DJ,” DJ Makasi, introduced himself.
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party DJs Frankfurt Airport
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
Quite possibly the best part were the confused onlookers that had no clue what was going on. Imagine you’re just walking through the terminal at Frankfurt Airport and see a gate area with bright lights, loud music, and “elves.” I didn’t get a good picture of the crowd, but at one point there were a couple dozen people standing outside glaring.
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
Die Polizei tried to crash the party, though they weren’t let in. 😉
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
There was a buffet setup, consisting of cupcakes, croissants, pretzels, soda, and Red Bull. I mean, what more could you really need in life?
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Gate Party Frankfurt Airport
Shortly before boarding they even offered up some champagne, which was gone in minutes.
After only about 30 minutes at the gate, boarding for the flight back to Brussels began at around 9:50AM.
Brussels Airlines Tomorrowland Flight Boarding Frankfurt Airport
PS: Did I mention I really admire people that can dance? Like, half of the reason I love Robyn is because of how she dances, like in this SNL performance:
Anyone that can dance like she does, especially from 1:30-1:40, and 2:30-2:50 is pretty awesome, in my book. And there was lots of that style of dancing in the gate area.
Bottom line
The gate party was an absolute blast, but paled in comparison to the atmosphere aboard. Kudos to Brussels Airlines for the amount of effort they put into these Tomorrowland flights. The fact that they have these flights to begin with is awesome. But the degree to which they go “all out” for them really is impressive.
On another note, I couldn’t help but smile at the entire situation. I’ve never been to one of these festivals before, but I couldn’t help but notice just how happy everyone was. Like, I’ve rarely seen people so excited to be doing something. In this day and age where we almost exclusively hear bad news on TV and how much the world sucks, it’s nice to see people happy and carefree, even if just for a weekend.
I guess you've never been to Gay Days at Disney. There are always a bunch of really confused tourists, which is fun, especially if they are wearing red t-shirts.
I always have my doubts about the talent of dance electronica musicians, but I am really impressed by this Robin clip. I actually think that she's singing live throughout, even with all that dance craziness! Makes me smile when I recall Ashlee Simpson's SNL debacle.
I didn't even know Robyn was still making music, I remember her from the 90's. Lucky, with your flexible schedule I don't see why you don't go and do things like tomorrowland, burning man etc...