Connecting in Brussels [BRU]
Jul 29, 2013, 3:31 pm
#31
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,579
If you have checked luggage....it probably won't make the switch.
I did a connection with 50 min the middle of June. UA EWR to BRU "C" to Brussels Air....to Berlin. Be ready to sweat as you plod along, and find yourself in a never ending serpentine of shops, security, immigration and bags that didn't make the switch. Not a fun connection!
Way too little time imo. Of course if your last name is Bolt, Go for it!
I did a connection with 50 min the middle of June. UA EWR to BRU "C" to Brussels Air....to Berlin. Be ready to sweat as you plod along, and find yourself in a never ending serpentine of shops, security, immigration and bags that didn't make the switch. Not a fun connection!
Way too little time imo. Of course if your last name is Bolt, Go for it!
Now you want to talk about bag misconnect h3ll, there's CDG. Or the ultimate in bag torture, PHL.
Jul 29, 2013, 3:39 pm
#32
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA, SPG
Posts: 87
I'm looking at ORD-FRA on a saver award in C with wife and infant this fall. I find saver availability either via BRU or AMS (1st leg on UA metal, second leg from both airports to FRA on LH metal). I have the option of 0:50 min or 1:35 layover. I assume from these comments 1:35 would be better, esp. since we will have the infant with us. We could route via AMS and have a 1:25 layover. We prefer the AMS routing due to the 767 vs 777 for BRU equipment. With that being said, is transferring at one airport better than the other? I know we go through customs in both, do they have a secure area we can just submit our bags and not have to go through security all over again? Thanks.
Jul 29, 2013, 3:43 pm
#33
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,579
I'm looking at ORD-FRA on a saver award in C with wife and infant this fall. I find saver availability either via BRU or AMS (1st leg on UA metal, second leg from both airports to FRA on LH metal). I have the option of 0:50 min or 1:35 layover. I assume from these comments 1:35 would be better, esp. since we will have the infant with us. We could route via AMS and have a 1:25 layover. We prefer the AMS routing due to the 767 vs 777 for BRU equipment. With that being said, is transferring at one airport better than the other? I know we go through customs in both, do they have a secure area we can just submit our bags and not have to go through security all over again? Thanks.
Jul 29, 2013, 3:55 pm
#34
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Denver, CO USA
Programs: UA-Gold, 1MM, Marriott Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 1,086
Mine actually connected; just not on the flight I was on. I mean, they didn't vanish! There was some labour action in Germany about luggage handlers. I assumed it was just in Germany....Not. Something about sympathy....
They were delivered a 4am at the Marriott in TXL.
In the future I will allow much more time in BRU. I hope the OP does as well.
Jul 29, 2013, 4:04 pm
#35
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Illinois-downstate
Programs: UA 1K, UA MM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 955
Still watching for a direct ORD-FRA saver to open up in first (for Dec flight referenced earlier).
IF we miss the connection in BRU, will LH put us on the next flight to FRA on a saver award (in first class).... even an economy seat would do in a pinch in this case, for the short hop BRU-FRA.
IF we miss the connection in BRU, will LH put us on the next flight to FRA on a saver award (in first class).... even an economy seat would do in a pinch in this case, for the short hop BRU-FRA.
Jul 29, 2013, 4:13 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA, SPG
Posts: 87
Thanks. Do you know if we need to re-enter security after customs into the EU, or is there a secure area where we can redeposit our bags?
Jul 29, 2013, 4:49 pm
#37
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: UK
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, UA 1K
Posts: 822
You will be in an identical seat, irrespective of economy or business (no first)
If they re-book you into business, then the only difference will be a slightly better breakfast & a free middle seat
Personally I think 50 mins is too sort for BRU...
Jul 29, 2013, 6:37 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA Mileage Plus Premier Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,467
Allow me to join the chorus of those telling you "Don't do it!".
You will likely land at terminal "A" and have to get over to B or C, which, with only 40 mins, is just setting you up for a misconnect.
Chokepoints, even with F or C tix, are the customs line(a single kiosk w/ one or two customs officials at most) and transit security, which is controlled by automated BP-scanners and manned by entirely unsympathetic line monitors.
If your airline/ticket stock doesn't have the fare-class on it in a scannable form, then you're obviously a ne'er do-well scofflaw who should stand in line w/ the rest the proles.
You will likely land at terminal "A" and have to get over to B or C, which, with only 40 mins, is just setting you up for a misconnect.
Chokepoints, even with F or C tix, are the customs line(a single kiosk w/ one or two customs officials at most) and transit security, which is controlled by automated BP-scanners and manned by entirely unsympathetic line monitors.
If your airline/ticket stock doesn't have the fare-class on it in a scannable form, then you're obviously a ne'er do-well scofflaw who should stand in line w/ the rest the proles.
Sep 19, 2013, 1:35 am
#40
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 88
EWR to BRU with UA - possible delay
Hi!
I've booked a ticket from Travelocity few months ago from TLV to EWR through BRU:
TLV-BRU with SN
BRU-EWR-BRU with UA
BRU-TLV with SN
The flight back to TLV will have a 1:15 hours connection, and it has a potential for a delay (checked it with flightstats.com).
After checking in united website, I noticed that in case of missing the connecting flight from BRU to TLV, I am not entitled to any sort of compensation. Is it true?
And another question- I've noticed that the last leg of the flight is completely full and there is a possible overbooking. If there is an overbooking, United check in staff in EWR will know about? because I am ready to volunteer :-)
Thanx!
I've booked a ticket from Travelocity few months ago from TLV to EWR through BRU:
TLV-BRU with SN
BRU-EWR-BRU with UA
BRU-TLV with SN
The flight back to TLV will have a 1:15 hours connection, and it has a potential for a delay (checked it with flightstats.com).
After checking in united website, I noticed that in case of missing the connecting flight from BRU to TLV, I am not entitled to any sort of compensation. Is it true?
And another question- I've noticed that the last leg of the flight is completely full and there is a possible overbooking. If there is an overbooking, United check in staff in EWR will know about? because I am ready to volunteer :-)
Thanx!
Sep 19, 2013, 4:23 am
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
It seems your first priority is extracting cash from the airline, rather than arriving on time or without stress. In that case booking a short connection in BRU makes sense. However the obligation will be to get you on a later flight if you miss the first and I don't think EU261 will apply as it's UA ex USA. UA won't be soliciting volunteers on behalf of SN
Sep 19, 2013, 4:59 am
#42
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 88
It seems your first priority is extracting cash from the airline, rather than arriving on time or without stress. In that case booking a short connection in BRU makes sense. However the obligation will be to get you on a later flight if you miss the first and I don't think EU261 will apply as it's UA ex USA. UA won't be soliciting volunteers on behalf of SN
I don't care about getting home later or even much later than scheduled, and I want to have the knowledge before things goes bad (i.e miss the connection and not having any sort of help)
Thanx for the answer.
Sep 19, 2013, 5:20 am
#43
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
No.
Oct 8, 2013, 12:58 pm
#45
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, United, BA, Delta, MR, SPG, PC
Posts: 190
55mins connection time at BRU - suggestions please
I am currently booked ORD-BRU-FRA-BLR, with ORD-BRU on UA972, BRU-FRA on LH1007 and FRA-BLR on LH754, with all segments on biz.
The connection time that I have at BRU is only 55 minutes. Reading through FT reports makes me realize that I have to likely change terminals at BRU and I am worried now if I can make it in 55 minutes (with my 4 y.o. daughter in tow!).
The alternative would be for me to call UA and try and see if they would be willing to let me change that segment to ORD-DUS-FRA-BLR instead, which provides for a slightly longer transit time at DUS (1h 35m) but shorter transit time at FRA (1h 15m).
I would appreciate any suggestions, particularly from those that have made a similar connection at BRU.
Thanks!
The connection time that I have at BRU is only 55 minutes. Reading through FT reports makes me realize that I have to likely change terminals at BRU and I am worried now if I can make it in 55 minutes (with my 4 y.o. daughter in tow!).
The alternative would be for me to call UA and try and see if they would be willing to let me change that segment to ORD-DUS-FRA-BLR instead, which provides for a slightly longer transit time at DUS (1h 35m) but shorter transit time at FRA (1h 15m).
I would appreciate any suggestions, particularly from those that have made a similar connection at BRU.
Thanks!