Brussels AirlinesSN

Brussels Airlines is the flag carrier of Belgium and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group since 2016. The airline was formed in 2006 through the merger of SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express, and today operates a fleet of approximately 40 Airbus aircraft (A319, A320, and A330) from its hub at Brussels Airport (BRU).

As a member of Star Alliance, Brussels Airlines offers connections to over 200 destinations worldwide through its network of partner airlines. The carrier is particularly known for its extensive Africa network, inheriting many routes from the former Belgian national carrier Sabena, which operated one of the most comprehensive route networks to Central Africa.

Brussels Airlines serves approximately 100 destinations, with strong coverage across Europe and a distinctive long-haul network focusing on sub-Saharan Africa, including destinations like Kinshasa, Kigali, Entebbe, and Dakar. The airline participates in the Miles & More frequent flyer program, shared across all Lufthansa Group airlines.

Carry-On Allowance

Brussels Airlines offers a generous carry-on allowance compared to many European carriers, with a combined weight limit of 12 kg for both bags.

Personal Item (all classes):

• Dimensions: 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 in)
• Examples: Laptop bag, handbag, small backpack
• Must fit under the seat in front

Cabin Bag:

• Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (22 x 16 x 9 in) including handles and wheels
• Weight: 8 kg (18 lbs) for the cabin bag
• Combined weight (cabin bag + personal item): 12 kg maximum

Class	Cabin Bag	Personal Item	Combined Weight
Economy (Light)	1	1	12 kg (26 lbs)
Economy (Flex)	1	1	12 kg (26 lbs)
Business	2	1	16 kg (35 lbs)

Checked Baggage

European/Short-Haul Flights:

Fare	Bags Included	Weight	Purchase Price
Economy Light	0	-	From €25 (~$27)
Economy Flex/Classic	1	23 kg (50 lbs)	-
Business	2	32 kg (70 lbs) each	-

Long-Haul Flights (Africa, North America):

Fare	Bags Included	Weight
Economy	1	23 kg (50 lbs)
Premium Economy	2	23 kg each
Business	2	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Maximum dimensions: 158 cm (62 in) linear (L + W + H) Maximum weight: 32 kg per bag

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Condition	Fee
Overweight (24-32 kg / 53-70 lbs)	€75 (~$82)
Oversized (159-292 cm linear)	€75 (~$82)
Both overweight AND oversized	€150 (~$164)

Bags over 32 kg or 292 cm linear are not accepted (must ship as cargo).

Elite Status Baggage Benefits

Miles & More Status:

Status	Benefit
Frequent Traveller	Standard allowance
Senator	+1 bag (20 kg) on short-haul
HON Circle	+1 bag (20 kg) + priority handling

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	€50 (~$55)	Counts as 1 bag
Skis/snowboards	€50 (~$55)	Skis + boots + poles
Bicycle	€75 (~$82)	Must be boxed, max 32 kg
Car seat	Free	One per child
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
CPAP machine	Free	Doesn't count as carry-on

Fees as of January 2025. Use the Baggage Calculator for current pricing.

Brussels Airlines operates different cabin configurations depending on the route type.

Economy Class

Short-Haul (A319/A320):

• Seat pitch: 30-31" (76-79 cm)
• Seat width: 17.5-18" (44-46 cm)
• No personal screens (use personal device)
• Complimentary snack and beverage on most flights

Long-Haul (A330):

• Seat pitch: 31-32" (79-81 cm)
• Seat width: 18" (46 cm)
• Personal entertainment screens
• Complimentary meals and beverages

Premium Economy (Long-Haul)

Available on select long-haul routes:

• Seat pitch: 38" (97 cm)
• Enhanced recline and legrest
• Priority boarding
• Amenity kit
• Premium meal service
• 2 checked bags included

Business Class

Short-Haul (A319/A320):

• Same seats as Economy with blocked middle
• Enhanced meal service
• Lounge access
• Priority services

Long-Haul (A330):

• Lie-flat seats
• Seat pitch: 60" (152 cm) / 2m bed length
• 15.4" personal entertainment screen
• Premium dining with Belgian-inspired menu
• Amenity kit with Belgian products
• Lounge access in Brussels and outstations

Entertainment

Long-Haul:

• Panasonic eX3 system
• 100+ movies, TV shows, music
• USB charging and AC power

Short-Haul:

• "b.you" streaming to personal devices
• WiFi available for purchase on equipped aircraft

WiFi

Service	Price
Messaging	From €3 (~$3)
Browse	From €7 (~$8)
Stream	From €12 (~$13)

Available on most short-haul and all long-haul aircraft.

Catering

Short-Haul Economy:

• Complimentary snack and beverage
• Additional items available for purchase

Short-Haul Business:

• Hot meal service on longer flights
• Cold meal on shorter sectors
• Belgian beer and wine selection

Long-Haul Economy:

• Full meal service (hot meals)
• Complimentary beer, wine, and spirits
• Special meals available (order 24h+ in advance)

Long-Haul Business:

• Multi-course dining
• Belgian-inspired cuisine
• Premium wine selection
• Belgian chocolate amenities

Booking:

• Compare Light vs Flex fares carefully—the checked bag alone may make Flex worthwhile
• Book Africa routes early—they fill up and prices increase significantly
• Use Miles & More award search for positioning flights within Europe

Baggage:

• The 12 kg combined carry-on limit is generous for Europe—maximize it
• For Africa travel, check visa and health requirements alongside baggage
• Sports equipment fees are reasonable compared to some competitors

At the Airport:

• Brussels Airport is compact—connections are manageable
• The Loft lounge offers quality Belgian beer selection
• Fast Track security available with Business Class or Star Alliance Gold

Earning Miles:

• Credit Miles & More number at booking for all Star Alliance flights
• Brussels Airlines flights earn well on Lufthansa Group programs
• Consider transferring points from Amex Membership Rewards

Africa Travel:

• Brussels Airlines has the best European connections to Central Africa
• Business Class is significantly more comfortable on 8+ hour Africa flights
• Check yellow fever and visa requirements well in advance

Common Issues:

• Light fares have no checked bag—remember to add one if needed
• WiFi speeds can be slow on older aircraft
• African route schedules can change—monitor your booking
• Some codeshare flights operate on Lufthansa metal—check aircraft

Best Value:

• Economy Light + carry-on only for short European hops
• Flex fare for any trip requiring flexibility or checked bags
• Business Class for long-haul Africa (significant comfort upgrade)