Brussels Airlines
Belgium’s flag carrier, offering full-service European and long-haul flights from its Brussels hub, with a particularly strong network across Africa.
About Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is Belgium’s flag carrier and a scheduled passenger airline headquartered near Brussels Airport. It was created in 2006 through the merger of SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express and began operating under its present name in 2007. The carrier is part of the Lufthansa Group, while retaining a distinct Belgian identity reflected in its branding, hospitality and role connecting the country with major international markets.
Brussels Airport is the airline’s primary hub and the centre of its network. Brussels Airlines serves 95 destinations across 53 countries through 216 routes. Its schedule combines extensive European coverage with an especially important African network, including Abidjan, Bamako, Banjul, Conakry, Cotonou, Douala and Kinshasa. Other notable destinations include Athens, Frankfurt, Milan and Paris, while selected long-haul services extend beyond Europe and Africa.
The airline’s operations are centred on Airbus aircraft. Types associated with its fleet record include the Airbus A319, A320, A321 and A330 families, with A330-200 and A330-300 variants used for long-haul flying. Earlier operations also featured Avro RJ85 and RJ100 aircraft and several Boeing 737 variants. Depending on the aircraft and route, travellers can book Economy, Premium Economy or Business Class, although not every cabin is offered on every service.
Brussels Airlines has been a member of Star Alliance since 2009, giving passengers access to connecting flights and reciprocal benefits across the alliance’s global network. Its frequent-flyer programme is Miles & More, shared with Lufthansa and several other European carriers. Members can earn and redeem miles on eligible Brussels Airlines flights, while qualifying status customers may receive benefits such as priority services, additional baggage allowances and lounge access, subject to fare and programme rules.
A major strength is the airline’s depth of service between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, where Brussels functions as a useful connecting point for many journeys. Its integration with Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance also broadens onward travel options. The principal challenge is that connection times and onboard products can vary considerably between short European sectors and longer intercontinental flights, so travellers should check the operating aircraft, cabin and fare conditions before booking.
Good to know
Flying with Brussels Airlines — what to expect
Brussels Connections
Brussels Airport is the airline’s main connecting hub. Allow adequate transfer time, particularly when changing between Schengen and non-Schengen flights because passport control may be required.
African Network
Brussels Airlines has an unusually broad network in sub-Saharan Africa for a European carrier. Some itineraries may involve schedules that operate only on selected days, so check dates carefully.
Cabins Vary
European flights generally offer a simpler short-haul product than long-haul Airbus A330 services. Premium Economy is associated with selected long-haul flights rather than the entire network.
Check Fare Conditions
Baggage, seat selection and ticket flexibility depend on the fare family and route. Review the inclusions shown during booking instead of assuming that every Economy fare includes the same benefits.
Alliance Benefits
Miles & More status and eligible Star Alliance status can provide priority handling, lounge access or extra baggage. Benefits depend on status level, operating carrier and booked fare.
Carry-On Rules
Cabin-baggage allowances can differ by travel class and ticket conditions. Confirm the current weight, size and personal-item limits on the airline’s website before departure.
Network overview
Where Brussels Airlines flies
Brussels Airlines operates 216 routes to 95 destinations across 53 countries, its longest sector reaching Bangkok to Brussels (9,262 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Brussels Airlines flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Bangkok → Brussels
9,262 km · BKK → BRU
The longest sector in the Brussels Airlines network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Brussels Airlines
Tracked Brussels Airlines routes touch Uganda, Kenya, Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Togo, United States, Belgium and 1 more countries.
KGL - EBBKigali → Entebbe0h 53m340 kmBJM - NBOBujumbura → Nairobi1h 30m871 kmABJ - BKOAbidjan → Bamako1h 34m923 kmBKO - ABJBamako → Abidjan1h 34m923 kmCOO - ABJCotonou → Abidjan1h 19m710 kmLFW - OUALome → Ouagadougou1h 22m752 kmOUA - LFWOuagadougou → Lome1h 22m752 kmBRU - JFKBrussels → New York7h 16m5,886 kmJFK - BRUNew York → Brussels7h 16m5,886 kmDLA - NSIDouala → Yaounde0h 44m206 kmNSI - DLAYaounde → Douala0h 44m206 kmReviews of Brussels Airlines
TripAdvisor · 2023–2023- 55
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What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Believe Every One Of These Awful Reviews
Mistakes happen. Flights get delayed and luggage sometimes misses a connection…even when passengers make it. What matters is how the issue is fixed. In the case of Brussels Air, they make every possible effort to make the already challenging situation worse.… See more Much, much worse. Countless messages were ignored. Phone calls that did connect led to answers that were outright lies, several hang-ups, and twice when I got someone to escalate my call to a supervisor, I was transferred to unanswered lines with no voicemail. Our luggage was delivered four days into our vacation. We submitted receipts for the clothes and toiletries we needed to purchase. We literally bought things on a day-by-day basis to keep costs down, knowing that we wouldn’t be fully compensated. They sent us a letter that they would agree to pay an amount that did not even cover the toiletries that we had to buy. We responded that it was an unacceptable number, and asked them to reconsider. They never replied and just sent the check. They have continued to ignore emails, texts and voicemails. Oh, and our flights were on time, but the planes were filthy and the crews were hostile and rude. They charge for bottled water. Sounds great, right? Believe me when I tell you that I’ve had my share of issues with airlines, and I have never been moved to write a review like this. This company is a joke, and you’re better off walking. Avoid at all costs.
See lessPosted July 2023 by mbaNYC
Do Not Expect Any Refund
We booked and paid for exit row seats. At check in we had been separated and moved to standard seats. Brussels Airline did not automatically refund our seat reservation fee. The Airline did not respond to complaints (repeated three times). Customers Services… See more simply refuse to address anything and direct you to the on line complaints system where you receive an automated reference number which, after five weeks is still not even replied to. Personally I doubt this airlines honesty, integrity and interest in their customers and I will actively avoid Brussels Airlines in future. If Brussels Airlines want to check this the complaint reference is 2306-SN-00161
See lessPosted June 2023 by Ian D, York
Worst airline of the Lufthansa group
Brussel airlines is the worst of the Lufthansa group airlines based on my experience. They do not even offer water which is normally free on Austrian, Lufthansa, and Swiss. Luggage policy at copenhagen was also wierd veryone had to check in their luggage… See more resulting in empty luggage racks in the airplane. On my flight also my seatpocket was broken.
See lessPosted June 2023 by Patrick K
Smooth + perfect customer service
Easy boarding experience no fuss from staff, absolutely amazing. Straightforward policies on baggage as well so you know exactly what you can take. Return flight got cancelled unfortunately for almost 24 hours but we couldn't wish for better service. We were… See more ready to pay for everything then claim money back only to find out it's all been taken care off (transfer from airport to the hotel, dinner, breakfast and taxi back to the airport) by the airline without us having to ask for a single thing. If I could give 6* I would! Thank you
See lessPosted June 2023 by Ivana S
Aggressive Attendants
Flew to Berlin from Brussels, first the flight was delayed 40 minutes, then the flight attendants tried to rush everyone on the plane. We had 2 tickets and only one carry on and a hand bag, due to the delay attendants were just putting bags anywhere and being… See more rude about it. We were told to put all our bags on the floor or risk being late. One female attendant snatched the bag from my wife’s hands and thee it on the floor. Not risking any delays or thrown off the flight, we just sat there and took her abuse. NEVER flying Brussels Air ever again.
See lessPosted June 2023 by Sunny B, Concord
Good for European connections
This is a summary of several flights over a couple of weeks. Brussels airlines is okay, without much more. Compared to other airlines, like TAP or Austrian, it's just that bit less, showing that BA depends on the policies of the big brother, considering it… See more rather as a low-cost daughter. Friendly crew, clean and efficient, yes for sure! And with my SA Gold level I won't complain about practicalities!
See lessPosted May 2023 by Philip P, Herentals
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
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FAQ
Brussels Airlines — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- The busiest departure points by route count are Brussels, Abidjan, Paris, Frankfurt and Milan. Brussels is the airline’s principal hub.
- The longest route is Bangkok to Brussels, covering about 9,262 km nonstop.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee to the prices shown.
- Brussels Airlines serves 95 destinations across 53 countries, operating 216 routes.
- The permitted cabin-bag size, weight and number of items depend on the cabin and fare conditions. Travellers should check the current allowance on Brussels Airlines’s website because limits and inclusions can change.
- Brussels Airport is Brussels Airlines’s primary hub and the main departure and connecting point in its network.
- Brussels Airlines flies across Europe and serves an extensive African network, with destinations including Brussels, Abidjan, Athens, Bamako, Banjul, Conakry, Cotonou, Douala, Frankfurt, Kinshasa, Milan and Paris.
- Fares are often lower when booked well ahead and for travel outside school holidays, major events and peak summer or Christmas periods. Comparing nearby dates and midweek departures may reveal better prices.