Here is comprehensive information about Brussels Airlines (ICAO: BEL):
Brussels Airlines is the flag carrier of Belgium, with its headquarters located at Brussels Airport (BRU) in Zaventem. The airline was established in 2007 through the merger of SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express. Its roots trace back to 2002 when SN Brussels Airlines was formed as the successor to Belgium's previous national carrier, Sabena, which was founded in 1923. Brussels Airlines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group and a member of the Star Alliance, which it joined in December 2009.
The airline operates an all-Airbus fleet, which includes Airbus A319s, A320s, and A330-300s. As of May 2025, its fleet size is reported to be 47 aircraft, with 42 active. The average age of its fleet is approximately 17 years as of September 2025. Brussels Airlines offers a diverse route network, serving over 90 destinations across Europe, North America, and Africa. Notably, it has a strong focus on Africa, connecting to 18 destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Brussels Airlines provides both short-haul and long-haul services with varied fare options. Passengers can choose from different travel classes, and the airline highlights Belgian cuisine within its onboard meal options. The airline also offers online check-in services, and its frequent flyer program is Miles & More.
Recent traveler reviews for Brussels Airlines present a mixed, yet generally average, sentiment.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, the sentiment suggests that while Brussels Airlines generally offers a satisfactory "average" flying experience, its inconsistent performance in in-flight amenities and customer service, particularly concerning baggage and operational communication, are areas that frequently draw criticism. However, recent recognition for its claim processing and punctuality indicates improvements in certain operational aspects.
Brussels Airlines maintains a strong overall safety reputation, receiving a 7/7 safety rating from AirlineRatings.com. The airline continuously works to upgrade and maintain its fleet to ensure reliability and safety. In 2010, Brussels Airlines took over its own plane maintenance, moving from a third-party provider.
Regarding specific safety incidents, public records indicate a few occurrences, which is not uncommon for an airline with extensive operations. These include a hail strike and cracked windshield on an Airbus A330-300 near Entebbe in May 2025, bird strikes involving Airbus A319s near Marseille in August 2024 and Brussels in August 2023, and an incident of locked flaps on an Airbus A319 at Brussels in December 2024. Earlier incidents listed include events in the vicinity of Paris CDG in 2020 and Lisbon in 2015.
As a Belgian flag carrier and a member of the Star Alliance, Brussels Airlines operates under the regulatory oversight of the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA), which, for example, approves the airline for examiner standardization training. While specific certifications like IOSA or FAA compliance were not explicitly detailed in the provided search results, being a prominent European airline and part of the Lufthansa Group implies adherence to stringent European aviation safety standards.
While no specific "safety awards" were found, Brussels Airlines was named the "best all-round airline in the world" by AirHelp in 2024, scoring highly for aircraft punctuality and claim processing, which are indirect indicators of operational reliability and commitment to passenger welfare.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIH → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
91 | 3879 mi | A333 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BRU → ALC |
Alicante
Alicante / Benidorm / Costa Blanca
|
64 | 907 mi | A320 | Dec 6, 2025 |
| GVA → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
55 | 331 mi | A320 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| BRU → GVA |
Geneva Cointrin Int'l
Geneva
|
52 | 331 mi | A320 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| OSL → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
47 | 692 mi | A319 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| BRU → FRA |
Frankfurt Int'l
Frankfurt am Main
|
47 | 189 mi | A320 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| NSI → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
45 | 3289 mi | A333 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| MAN → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
44 | 333 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BRU → CDG |
Charles de Gaulle/Roissy
Paris
|
41 | 156 mi | A320 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| EBB → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
40 | 3881 mi | A333 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BRU → MUC |
Munich Int'l
Munich
|
35 | 371 mi | A319 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BRU → FCO |
Leonardo da Vinci Int'l (Fiumicino Int'l)
Rome
|
33 | 729 mi | A320 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| KGL → EBB |
Entebbe Int'l
Entebbe (near Kampala)
|
33 | 212 mi | A333 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| ROB → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
33 | 3206 mi | A333 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| PRG → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
33 | 433 mi | A319 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| BRU → LHR |
London Heathrow
London
|
33 | 218 mi | A20N | Nov 30, 2025 |
| MRS → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
32 | 518 mi | A319 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BRU → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
31 | 300 mi | A319 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BRU → HER |
Heraklion Int'l, Nikos Kazantzakis
Heraklion (Iraklion)
|
31 | 1490 mi | A320 | Oct 25, 2025 |
| OUA → ABJ |
Port Bouet (Felix Houphouet Boigny Int'l)
Abidjan
|
31 | 517 mi | A333 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LJU → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
30 | 559 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| MAD → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
29 | 817 mi | A320 | Dec 5, 2025 |
| BRU → VIE |
Vienna Int'l (Schwechat)
Vienna
|
29 | 575 mi | A320 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| LYS → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
28 | 359 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BRU → AGP |
Malaga
Malaga
|
28 | 1080 mi | A320 | Nov 16, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.