Mar 22, 2016, 8:43 am
Last edit by: JDiver
BRU / Zaventem Airport Bombings and AA Impact
Link to BRU - Zaventem latest updates
Link to BRU / Zaventem airport site with maps and details of current procedures.
Link to detailed BRU procedures for departing passengers.
Link to AA Travel Alerts including BRU.
BRU / Brussels Zaventem airport is now open (since 3 April 2016 with three flights on that date) for limited service for some airlines, with temporary departures and arrivals facilities. Full capacity of 5,000 passengers per hour may take months to achieve. Initial screening occurs on airport grounds with vehicular screening, and further screening occurs prior to admittance into the departures area. Bus service to the airport was restored 6 April; train service has not been restored as of 8 April.
From flatlander's posts 49, 51, 56 and updated with recent changes:
BRU is now open with limited service. See http://www.brusselsairport2203.be for new arrivals and departures procedures.
Of note: There will be a vehicle check approaching the drop-off zone. Only passengers will be allowed past the drop-off area into the temporary check-in and departures area, and there will be no luggage trolleys or catering in the departures area. After security there is a full range of places to eat and drink.
There are no train or bus services to the airport. Access is by private car, taxi, foot or bicycle. No car rental at the airport.
AA750 (PHL-BRU) is cancelled up to and including 2016-04-14, AA751 (BRU-PHL) is cancelled in GDS up to and including 2016-04-16. Availability is (almost) zeroed out until 14 June. The local press in PHL have announced AA will resume these flights 14 June for the sumer. Alternatives remain AMS, DUS, CRL, ORL, CDG, trains, etc.
The FT British Airways forum reports that flights to/from Ličge (LGG) offer a poor service, with no BA-arranged onward transport and an overloaded airport. BA are flying 3 services a day (2 remain cancelled) LHR-BRU. AMS may still be a better choice for some.
Recommended arrival time at the airport is 3 hours before departure.
BRU is now open with limited service. See http://www.brusselsairport2203.be for new arrivals and departures procedures.
Of note: There will be a vehicle check approaching the drop-off zone. Only passengers will be allowed past the drop-off area into the temporary check-in and departures area, and there will be no luggage trolleys or catering in the departures area. After security there is a full range of places to eat and drink.
There are no train or bus services to the airport. Access is by private car, taxi, foot or bicycle. No car rental at the airport.
AA750 (PHL-BRU) is cancelled up to and including 2016-04-14, AA751 (BRU-PHL) is cancelled in GDS up to and including 2016-04-16. Availability is (almost) zeroed out until 14 June. The local press in PHL have announced AA will resume these flights 14 June for the sumer. Alternatives remain AMS, DUS, CRL, ORL, CDG, trains, etc.
Recommended arrival time at the airport is 3 hours before departure.
All rail systems (including Thalys to / from Amsterdam and Paris) are in service other than to BRU Zaventem airport itself, as are Midi/South, Central, North stations - though security has been intensified. Metro service is being restored. Trams 92 and 93 are in service. Noctis bus is in service.
Link to general Europe forum destination thread dealing with explosions
Link to English PDF on incident from Belgium Federal Crisis Centre.
In addition, AA have responded to these events with the following statement (see this post below):
"FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to those affected by the tragic events in Brussels earlier today. American is taking care of employees and customers at Brussels Airport. At this time, all of our airport employees and crew members are safe and accounted for with no reported injuries. American Airlines check-in operates at Row 8 of the departure hall, and the explosions did not occur at Row 8."
American Airlines flights to and from BRU - Zaventem airport are currently canceled. Check aa.com or with AA for further information on when flights may be reinstated. (See above for information from flatlander.)
American Airlines flights to and from BRU - Zaventem airport are currently canceled. Check aa.com or with AA for further information on when flights may be reinstated. (See above for information from flatlander.)
AA Brussels Zaventem / BRU Travel Alert and AA Passenger Impact
Late March - April 2016
Late March - April 2016
Link
Situation in Brussels (for travel scheduled March 30 - April 24, 2016)
This information is current as of April 9, 2016 - JDiver
Airport affected: Brussels, Belgium (BRU)
A one-time ticketing fee will be waived for travel changes if you:
If you choose to travel May 9, 2016 through the expiration date of your ticket, you must book the same class of service of pay the difference in fare.
Please call to change your ticket.
Contact Reservations
Situation in Brussels (for travel scheduled March 30 - April 24, 2016)
This information is current as of April 9, 2016 - JDiver
Airport affected: Brussels, Belgium (BRU)
A one-time ticketing fee will be waived for travel changes if you:
- Are traveling on an American Airlines, British Airways or Iberia flight
- Bought your original flight before April 5, 2016
- Are scheduled to travel March 30 - April 24, 2016, to/through/from the affected airport
- Are flexible to travel April 24 - May 8, 2016
- If you already re-booked your ticket with an alternate origin, destination or stopover, you can now rebook for a flight to/from Brussels (BRU) in the same cabin through May 8, 2016.
If you choose to travel May 9, 2016 through the expiration date of your ticket, you must book the same class of service of pay the difference in fare.
Please call to change your ticket.
Contact Reservations
Explosions 22 Mar 2016 at BRU / Brussels - Impact on AA passengers
Mar 22, 2016, 1:47 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,993
Explosions 22 Mar 2016 at BRU / Brussels - Impact on AA passengers
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...s-Airport.html Has images
Several people have been injured and hundreds are trapped after two explosions rocked Brussels Airport.
Witnesses said they 'felt the shockwaves' of the blasts which are believed to have centred on the American Airlines check-in desk at 8am (7am GMT).
Pictures show the terminal windows blown out from the force of the explosion and smoke rising high into the sky.
Video also shows terrified passengers running for their lives out of the terminal.
Witnesses said they 'felt the shockwaves' of the blasts which are believed to have centred on the American Airlines check-in desk at 8am (7am GMT).
Pictures show the terminal windows blown out from the force of the explosion and smoke rising high into the sky.
Video also shows terrified passengers running for their lives out of the terminal.
Last edited by Microwave; Mar 22, 2016 at 6:46 am Reason: OP deleted post, so promoting second post to OP
Mar 22, 2016, 2:14 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
If this really did go off around 8am at the AA check-in desks, then there were probably a lot of passenegers waiting in line. As the BRU-PHL flight leaves an hour earlier than normal right now because Europe doesn't change its time until this weekend.
Mar 22, 2016, 2:15 am
#5
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
To set some ground rules for this thread:
We'll discuss the impacts on AA travellers and American Airlines here. This thread won't be a general discussion about the incident or a larger discussion about what is going on these days, etc.
Please alert my colleagues and me if the thread needs attention.
~Moderator
We'll discuss the impacts on AA travellers and American Airlines here. This thread won't be a general discussion about the incident or a larger discussion about what is going on these days, etc.
Please alert my colleagues and me if the thread needs attention.
~Moderator
Last edited by JDiver; Mar 22, 2016 at 9:56 am Reason: Bold for emphasis
Mar 22, 2016, 2:22 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,600
Terrible news to wake up to. 
Situations like this are a reminder to always keep your head on a swivel.
Situations like this are a reminder to always keep your head on a swivel.
Mar 22, 2016, 2:30 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
BBC alert just woke me up here 1a in California. Absolutely stunned. Targeting BRU airport, in the heart of rush hour, is an attack against the entirety of Europe. Reading reports of the explosions being centered at the AA checkin area is bringing me to tears. My heart goes out to all those in Brussels.
Mar 22, 2016, 2:32 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
it was already confirmed 60 minutes ago that the explosion actually happened at the AA desk. The unconfirmed part is the question if AA was targeted. International news perhaps has not picked up yet the confirmed information (I think they are still waiting for a press release or formal confirmation in English) which is the very reason I shared the local news link.
Edit: Well, authorities have now confirmed that there was also an attack on the metro system in Brussels. So I would rule out this explosion at BRU as being an accident (like from a severed gas line).
Last edited by Microwave; Mar 22, 2016 at 4:48 am Reason: Edited quote of redacted post
Mar 22, 2016, 2:45 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,330
BBC reports: "Two bomb packages went off in the departure hall of Brussels airport, Het Laatste Nieuws reports.
One was close to the SN Brussels Airlines desk and another near the American Airlines desk, it says."
http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-35869266
Separately, multiple bombings in the metro, entire rail system shut down.
One was close to the SN Brussels Airlines desk and another near the American Airlines desk, it says."
http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-35869266
Separately, multiple bombings in the metro, entire rail system shut down.
Mar 22, 2016, 3:23 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: AMS
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Asiana Club Silver, Flying Blue Ivory
Posts: 368
It is very scary, so no need to feel bad about that. I just found out because there were some issues with the train to Schiphol, as my wife is flying AMS-PHL today.
Also thinking about practical implications: Since Zaventem is now closed, a lot of diverted flights are likely to go to Schiphol, which will impact my wife's schedule.
Anyway, travel delays are the least of worries, while right now there's still victims that are being treated and security personnel is sussing out whether there's additional immediate threats. All that we can do now is trust in the professionalism of emergency responders.
Also thinking about practical implications: Since Zaventem is now closed, a lot of diverted flights are likely to go to Schiphol, which will impact my wife's schedule.
Anyway, travel delays are the least of worries, while right now there's still victims that are being treated and security personnel is sussing out whether there's additional immediate threats. All that we can do now is trust in the professionalism of emergency responders.
Last edited by Microwave; Mar 22, 2016 at 4:50 am Reason: Removed quote of deleted post
Mar 22, 2016, 3:24 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,600
Statement from AA:
"We are aware of an incident at the Brussels airport departure hall and are taking care of our customers, employees and contractors. At this time, all of our employees and contractors are accounted for with no reported injuries. American Airlines flight 751 has been canceled for today. When operations at the airport resume, we will reaccommodate our customers.
Mar 22, 2016, 3:55 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Terrorists targeting the land-side area (and particularly check-in areas, more so for some airlines than for other airlines) at airports in various parts of Europe has been a concern for quite some time, including particularly for AA. But the focus in that regard at European airports was more on gunmen concerns than on bombs -- which is why there has been more of a governmental show of force with guns land-side than with bomb interdiction means at European airport entrances or check-in counters. [It seems like the explosions land-side were not meant to be explosions on planes. The Brussels metro was also subjected to an explosion.]. When flying AA/US out of Italy, access to check-in line for AA/US (and even BA) was sometimes partially limited to only those who were reviewed by some Italian police types before being allowed to proceed to the check-in counters. There may be more of this coming up.
Those checking in at airports in the EU/Schengen area when flying AA today or this week should check for airline and airport updates on what they should expect today or at least perhaps later this week.
Last edited by GUWonder; Mar 22, 2016 at 4:08 am
Mar 22, 2016, 4:09 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP 1.0mm, not sure where I am with hotels these days
Posts: 2,795
Per Bloomberg TV at 6am Tuesday (22-March), Brussels airport will be closed until tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 6am. Unfortunately, for alternatives, Eurostar has canceled all operations within Belgium today. Thalys train between Amsterdam Centraal, Brussels and Paris Nord will also not be running today. AA customers may have to rent a car and drive to Paris or Amsterdam if travel requires them to depart today.
EDIT 611am EDT - border between Belgium and France reportedly closed temporarily by Bloomberg TV.
EDIT 611am EDT - border between Belgium and France reportedly closed temporarily by Bloomberg TV.