In my experience as SLF airbrakes are a regular occurrence, particularly on approach to US Airports. At San Francisco the approach was described to me by a pilot as often being cross the airport going down the bay towards San Jose at 12000 ft and you'd better not be doing more than 200 kts at that point because you then have a track of 20/25 miles to lose that 12000 ft and the speed before crossing the threshold. You just go down the bay to somewhere near Redwood City before turning through 180 degrees to land on on of the 28s.
I was also told that when BA bought A319s they specified the option of airbrakes and this particular pilot was glad they did.