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Brussels Airlines

Belgium's flag carrier, with a strong network across Africa

  • BelgiumCountry
  • SNIATA Code
  • BELICAO Code
  • Star AllianceAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is Belgium’s flag carrier and part of the Lufthansa Group, flying from Brussels across Europe, to North America and to more than 15 African countries. From 27 October 2026, the personal-item-only Economy Basic fare is sold on all European routes, and power banks cannot be used on board. This guide covers the fares with rebooking fees, baggage to Africa, power bank rules, Miles & More and how Brussels Airlines compares with Air France and KLM.

Brussels Airlines was formed in 2006 from SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express and keeps the SN code once used by Sabena. It has been fully owned by the Lufthansa Group since 2017 and has one of Europe’s largest networks in sub-Saharan Africa.

Brussels Airlines flights to Brussels
Photo: Thomas Somme / Unsplash

Brussels Airlines Power Bank Rules (2026)

Since 15 January 2026, all Lufthansa Group airlines apply the same power bank rules:

  • A maximum of two power banks per passenger, in cabin baggage only.
  • Up to 100 Wh is allowed; 100–160 Wh needs the airline’s approval in advance.
  • Power banks may not be used or charged on board, and you may not charge a device from one.
  • Keep them on you, in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat, never in the overhead bins or checked bags.
  • The same rules apply to e-cigarettes.

Check-In at Brussels

Online check-in is available on the website and app. African routes may need document checks at the counter, so allow extra time.

Brussels Airport has separate Schengen and non-Schengen piers; allow time for passport control when connecting to long-haul flights.

Families and Special Assistance

Bassinets are available on long-haul flights, and wheelchairs or unaccompanied minor service should be requested in advance.

Travellers visiting family in Africa often carry extra luggage, so check the allowance for your route and add bags online in advance.

How to Find Cheap Brussels Airlines Flights

Cheap Brussels Airlines flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Compare Light and Comfort: Comfort adds a 23 kg bag and costs less to rebook.
  • Book African routes early for holiday periods.
  • Travel mid-week for lower European fares.
  • Check other Lufthansa Group hubs for alternative connections.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see Brussels Airlines next to Air France, KLM and others.

Brussels Airlines vs Air France vs KLM

All three have large networks to Africa from Western Europe.

Brussels AirlinesAir FranceKLM
HubBrusselsParis CDGAmsterdam Schiphol
AllianceStar AllianceSkyTeamSkyTeam
LoyaltyMiles & MoreFlying BlueFlying Blue
Economy cabin allowance8 kg (not on Basic)12 kg (not on Basic)12 kg (not on Basic)
Best forCentral and West AfricaFrance and Francophone AfricaEasy connections via one terminal

See our Air France guide and KLM guide to compare.

Arriving in Brussels

Brussels Airport is about 12 km from the city centre. Trains run from below the terminal to Brussels-Central in about 20 minutes.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is Brussels Airlines a Good Airline?

Yes. Brussels Airlines is a reliable choice for Belgium and especially for Africa, with Lufthansa Group connections. Check what Basic includes before booking.

For more options, see our Austrian Airlines guide, our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against the Lufthansa Group European fares page and the Lufthansa Group power bank rules. Rules change, so check the official Brussels Airlines website before you travel.

Star Alliance & Airline Partnerships

Brussels Airlines has been a Star Alliance member since 2009. You can connect through Brussels onto Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance partners such as United, Air Canada and TAP on one ticket.

Learn more about Star Alliance

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

As part of the Lufthansa Group, Brussels Airlines shares fares, lounges and Miles & More with Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian, and is part of the group's transatlantic joint venture with United and Air Canada.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Brussels Airport (BRU) is the airline's only hub. Flights from across Europe connect there with long-haul services to Africa and North America.

Popular Brussels Airlines Routes

Popular Brussels Airlines routes include Lisbon, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Nice in Europe. Long-haul flights serve Kinshasa, Dakar, Accra, Abidjan, Banjul, Entebbe and other African cities, plus New York and Washington. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

Brussels Airlines Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

Brussels Airlines uses the Lufthansa Group fares. Within Europe, Economy comes as Basic, Light, Comfort and Flex, and Business as Comfort and Flex. Basic and Light are the cheapest but the least flexible. Comfort adds a checked bag and allows changes for a fee, while Flex lets you rebook for free and get a refund for a fee.

From 27 October 2026, Economy Basic is available on all flights within Europe. It includes only a small personal item and can't be changed or refunded. Long-haul flights to Africa and North America have their own fares, with checked bags included on most.

  • Economy Basic (Europe) Personal item only, seat paid, no rebooking and no refund.
  • Economy Light (Europe) Rebooking for about €100; no refund.
  • Economy Comfort (Europe) Rebooking for about €80; no refund; 23 kg bag and free seat at check-in.
  • Economy Flex (Europe) Free rebooking; refund for about €150; reserved seat and priority boarding.
  • Business Comfort (Europe) No rebooking and no refund.
  • Business Flex (Europe) Free rebooking and free refund.
  • Where to buy Basic and Light are sold only through the airline's own website and direct channels.
  • Fare difference Always payable if the new flight costs more.
  • EU passenger rights Flights from the EU, and to the EU on an EU airline, are covered by Regulation 261/2004 for long delays, cancellations and denied boarding.

Brussels Airlines Seat Selection & Additional Services

On European flights, Basic and Light passengers get a seat assigned at check-in, or can pay to choose one earlier. Comfort includes a free standard seat at check-in, and Flex and Business include seat selection from booking.

On board, Brussels Airlines showcases Belgian food and drink, from chocolates to beer, and Business on long-haul flights has lie-flat seats. You can check in online on brusselsairlines.com or in the app before your flight.

  • Basic and Light Seat assigned at check-in; advance selection for a fee.
  • Comfort Free standard seat at check-in.
  • Flex and Business Seat selection included.
  • Extra legroom Front and exit-row seats available to buy.
  • On board in Europe Belgian snacks and drinks to buy in Economy; complimentary service in Business.
  • Long-haul Premium Economy and lie-flat Business Class on the Airbus A330.
  • Lounges The Loft lounge at Brussels Airport for Business and eligible frequent flyers.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs or unaccompanied minor service in advance.

Brussels Airlines Baggage Allowance

Within Europe, every Brussels Airlines fare includes a small personal item. Economy Light, Comfort and Flex add a cabin bag of up to 8 kg, while Economy Basic doesn't include a cabin bag; you can add one for a fee. Checked bags are included from Economy Comfort upwards.

On flights to Africa and North America, Economy normally includes at least one checked bag of 23 kg, and some African routes allow two. Your exact allowance is shown in your booking.

  • Personal item (all fares) 1 small item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm.
  • Cabin bag (Economy, except Basic) 1 bag up to 8 kg and 55 × 40 × 23 cm.
  • Economy Basic (Europe) Personal item only; cabin and checked bags for a fee.
  • Economy Light (Europe) Cabin bag included; no checked bag.
  • Economy Comfort and Flex (Europe) 1 checked bag up to 23 kg.
  • Business (Europe) 2 cabin bags up to 8 kg each and 1–2 checked bags up to 32 kg.
  • Long-haul Economy Usually 1 checked bag up to 23 kg; 2 on some African routes.
  • Long-haul Business 2 checked bags up to 32 kg each.

Miles & More: Brussels Airlines Loyalty Programme

Brussels Airlines is part of Miles & More, the Lufthansa Group's free loyalty programme. You earn miles on Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian and other Star Alliance airlines and partners, and redeem them for flights and upgrades. Award miles are valid for 36 months.

Status is earned with points from flying in a calendar year, in three tiers: Frequent Traveller, Senator and HON Circle.

  • Frequent Traveller Priority check-in, business lounge access on Lufthansa Group flights and Star Alliance Silver status.
  • Senator Senator lounge access, extra baggage and Star Alliance Gold status.
  • HON Circle The top tier, with First Class lounges and the highest priority.
  • Miles validity Award miles are valid for 36 months.
  • Star Alliance Earn and redeem miles on all Star Alliance airlines.
Join or log in on the Brussels Airlines website

Brussels Airlines: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are Brussels Airlines’ IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is SN. It appears in flight numbers (for example SN 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is BEL, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Where is Brussels Airlines headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

03When was Brussels Airlines founded?

The airline was founded in 2006.

04What is Brussels Airlines’ frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called Miles & More. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

05Does Brussels Airlines offer online check-in?

Yes. Online check-in is available through the airline's official website. Check-in opening and closing times depend on the route and airport, so confirm them for your flight before you travel.

06What is the Brussels Airlines cabin bag allowance?

Economy Light, Comfort and Flex include one cabin bag of up to 8 kg plus a small personal item. Economy Basic within Europe includes only the personal item (up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm).

07Does Brussels Airlines include checked baggage?

Within Europe, Economy Comfort and Flex include one 23 kg bag; Basic and Light don't. Most long-haul Economy fares to Africa and North America include at least one 23 kg bag.

08Where does Brussels Airlines fly in Africa?

Brussels Airlines has one of Europe's largest networks in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kinshasa, Dakar, Accra, Abidjan, Banjul and other West and Central African cities.

09Is Brussels Airlines part of Lufthansa?

Yes. Brussels Airlines has been fully owned by the Lufthansa Group since 2017 and uses Miles & More as its loyalty programme.

10Is Brussels Airlines in Star Alliance?

Yes. You can connect onto Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, United and other Star Alliance airlines on one ticket.

11What is Brussels Airlines' airline code?

The IATA code is SN and its hub is Brussels Airport (BRU).

12What fare types does Brussels Airlines sell?

Brussels Airlines uses the Lufthansa Group fares. Within Europe, Economy comes as Basic, Light, Comfort and Flex, and Business as Comfort and Flex. Basic and Light are the cheapest but the least flexible.

13Where is Brussels Airlines' main hub?

Brussels Airlines' main hub is Brussels (BRU).

Brussels Airlines, its logo and trademarks are the property of Brussels Airlines SA/NV and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by Brussels Airlines unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.