Back-to-back in BRU - how do-able?
 

Am thinking of taking advantage of some stupidly cheap ex-BRU UA fares, that route via LHR on the bmi codeshare... Insane, I know, but it saves a good couple of hundred quid (and obviously two more mileage earning sectors, and finally a use for my GUVs!)

Soooo, is it possible to arrive, flip through security, check in at the same gate or in the lounge and get back on the same bmi-bus? (separate tickets, no luggage) Just wondered if anyone had any experience - it's an age since I've been to BRU

Thanks in anticipation :)

The 'bus is on the ground for around 25-30 minutes at BRU... so its all down to how fast you can navigate BRU airport.

It took me 5 minutes to reach passport control, 3 minutes to find my way out. If there's a transit area - I'm not sure to be honest.

Then... you've gotta go upstairs (if your BP is printed at LHR, this may help), through the B control Passport are control again, then through their security, and then race to the gate. (You do like running don't you?)

Very tight to say the least... and this assumes the plane is ontime. If it isn't.. definatly a no-go. Otherwise.. are you feelin lucky punk? ;)

I had a look at those too, but the cheap fares ex. LHR kick in only 3 days later and economy to the west coast is only £20 more than ex. BRU.

I'm out to PHX on 27/08 and back from SFO for £341.

In the back on UA, the shame of it :(

Because you have no checked luggage you'll be able to bypass passport control and security. Just follow the signs for transfering passengers. Shouldn't take any more than 5 minutes.

Thanks for the tips... I was kinda thinking (hoping!) that BRU might be like CDG... Exit gate, re-enter gate via security. Distance walked = 10 yards

True, but the LHR fares are in S class (patchy availability, esp on connecting flights), with strict stopover rules, and weekday-only availability for the cheapest fares

ex-BRU, flights are ticketed in W, allow weekend departures, and the rules permit one stopover (<24 hours) in Europe, and 2 in the US. MPMs also don't seem to apply - so you could, say, have dinner with friends in Chicago (my plan!) en route to your final destination of NYC, and only pay the lower NYC fare. In extremis, a routing like BRU-LHR-IAD-ORD-LGA-ORD-IAD-LHR-BRU is perfectly feasible for GBP300!

Pwerhaps you could consider BA as an option for the first leg to start your trip as they are typically the same price as BD. Depending on their timings this might give you a bit more time. OK you lose 1 sector in terms of *A mileage earning but if you can live with that ...

There is a transit area but arrivals/departures are not mixed. When I last flew there on BD it was about a 5 minute walk from the gate towards passport control - you take a right marked 'transfer' just before it and come out in to the main terminal just before security. There is a fast track, but it was closed when I was there on a Saturday afternoon. I waited a few minutes for security to clear and then went back through. I'd say it look 10-15mins total from landing to getting back airside. You could then sprint to the gate and maybe just make it with your PYOBP...BUT with no luggage checked, they may simply offload you and go.

Personally, I wouldn't risk it. Book the next BD flight and instead spend some time in the lounge on the Belgian Beer (even better if you're BA Gold too and can Open Doors your way in there ;)) and relax :)

In all my 184 flights out of BRU I've never seen bmi turn the London 'bus round in anything less than about 35 minutes doors open to doors closed.

I was probably lucky that day ;) 35 minutes sounds more reasonable - although you're still going to be pushing yourself to get round that airport in time.

Oh for BRU being like DUB with the mixed arrivals/departures areas...

Since when? I thought only the A gates at DUB are mixed... B & C are definately seperated.

Was thinking of the A Gates - the only gates I tend to go through...
I'll go and hide now ;)

100 lines... "I must not make false declarations about DUB" :)

Also: I must remember my terminal layouts properly ;) (That'll teach me for only using LLC's out of DUB)

Like any terminal, BRU is all dependant on how much traffic there is at Security and Passport control... Personally, I'd go and get some beer in and wait for the next flight...

I suspect the problem would be that the next flight would be too late to connect to the UA flights the OP wants to take.

Do check it, though, as there might not be any MPM but there might nevertheless be routing rules. Last time I looked at flying with UA ex BRU or CDG (admittedly quite a while back), it would only allow routing via IAD for NYC area destinations on the cheapest fares, and not via ORD. Routing via ORD would have raised the price to a Q or M fare then rather than W.

bmi eased out the turnaround times in the last timetable change :
the 141 arrives BRU 09:05 and departs as the 142 at 10:10
the 145 arrives BRU 10:50 and departs as the 146 at 11:45

which gives quite a few more minutes in hand.