Connecting in Brussels [BRU]
#271
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BRS (Bristol, UK)
Programs: LH SEN/*G
Posts: 1,265
I really don't understand why sterile non-Schengen arrivals (e.g. ex-UK) can't be landed into the B-pier departure area, rather than having to go through security again. That's the standard procedure at MUC / ZRH etc. It's ridiculous to do the short hop from from BRS-BRU and then have to trek through unncessary security again at BRU, before either going upstairs for another non-Schengen destination, or through transfer immigration and into the A-pier
I did email BRU airport this question, and never got an answer, but then given the relentless mediocity of BRU, I wasn't terribly surprised about that.
I did email BRU airport this question, and never got an answer, but then given the relentless mediocity of BRU, I wasn't terribly surprised about that.
#272
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: 1K
Posts: 220
Just booked the following and now wondering if there will be enough time for transfer.
ORD-BRU on UA in C
BRU-Kigali in C
Assume will land in B, then need to transit to T?
No checked bags.
Connection time is 1:30.
Thoughts?
ORD-BRU on UA in C
BRU-Kigali in C
Assume will land in B, then need to transit to T?
No checked bags.
Connection time is 1:30.
Thoughts?
Last edited by zdog2x; Jan 1, 2019 at 4:21 pm Reason: Added bags
#273
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago, USA
Programs: TK Elite ...and blue, lots of blue...
Posts: 744
B to T is correct. Take the bus at gate B93. It will take you to T. No customs etc. Use the Sunrise Lounge at T. 90 minutes should be plenty.
#275
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: EWR and KGL (with occasional home/work trips to NRT/ITM)
Programs: MP MM 1K, Sky Miles, Emirates Gold
Posts: 708
I do connect at BRU to Kigali once every quarter for the past 9 years for work (not from ORD but from EWR) so here is my 2 cents. Make sure that when you get out of the plane, you go up the ramp so that you have direct access to terminal B boarding area. Since US flights are sterile, you do not need to go through another security. It may be little hard to notice as the sign is not very explicit but that should save 10~15min from the transit. If I recall correctly, UA flight from ORD should arrive somewhere around B7~B11 Gates.
The transfer bus runs from next to B80/B98 bus gates (opposite end). You go downstair to catch the bus at the tarmac level through a ramp next to B28 Gate. The bus runs every 10 minutes so if you miss one, you may need to wait for another 10min. T teminal's Sunrise Lounge could be quite busy around that time so you may have hard time finding an empty seat but it is a nice place to wait (I usually take shower there as it wil be another 7+ hrs to KGL) until the lounge agent makes announcement for boarding.
Kigali airport is small and should not take long time to clear immigration (there is a Business class lane for immigration if you already have VISA on hand). Kigali is very safe and clean city (well Rwanda in general is) so hope you will enjoy Rwanda.
Last edited by Atuchan; Jan 30, 2019 at 7:43 pm
#276
Join Date: May 2019
Location: US, Austria
Programs: Miles & More, SkyMiles
Posts: 1
After reading through a good deal of this forum I'm starting to think I'll be ok, however I'd appreciate any possible sanity checks as I've never transited via BRU (only flown into or out of).
Flying VIE-BRU-BHX on SN, carry-on only, the advertised layover is 1hr25min.
I suppose it's the 43% on-time rating for the VIE-BRU flight which gives me pause.
Flying VIE-BRU-BHX on SN, carry-on only, the advertised layover is 1hr25min.
I suppose it's the 43% on-time rating for the VIE-BRU flight which gives me pause.
Last edited by atomicpedals; May 17, 2019 at 8:06 am Reason: Clarity
#277
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: 1K
Posts: 220
Looks like I've got another BRU connection question. Traveling LIS-BRU-IAD and originally had an almost 1:40 layover that due to schedule changes is now down to 1:15.
LIS-BRU departs 7:00 and arrives 10:45. TP646
BRU-IAD departs 12 noon.
From flightaware.com it looks like TP646 is almost always late by 10-20 mins. We're up front (row 2) with carry-on, but yikes that seems really tight.
Thoughts?
LIS-BRU departs 7:00 and arrives 10:45. TP646
BRU-IAD departs 12 noon.
From flightaware.com it looks like TP646 is almost always late by 10-20 mins. We're up front (row 2) with carry-on, but yikes that seems really tight.
Thoughts?
#278
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,267
To wrap up my question from last year: I had a 70 min connection at BRU, from GVA-BRU to Bru-YYZ. GVA to Bru was 10 mins early, and that saved the day... I needed every minute to get through passport control. The line went all the way back to the furthest security screening tables.
I got thru passport control just as they were announcing that they were about to b close my flight, so I ran the whole way and made it. Luckily, I'm in good shape and my luggage is a light backpack.
I got thru passport control just as they were announcing that they were about to b close my flight, so I ran the whole way and made it. Luckily, I'm in good shape and my luggage is a light backpack.
#279
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,860
To wrap up my question from last year: I had a 70 min connection at BRU, from GVA-BRU to Bru-YYZ. GVA to Bru was 10 mins early, and that saved the day... I needed every minute to get through passport control. The line went all the way back to the furthest security screening tables.
I got thru passport control just as they were announcing that they were about to b close my flight, so I ran the whole way and made it. Luckily, I'm in good shape and my luggage is a light backpack.
I got thru passport control just as they were announcing that they were about to b close my flight, so I ran the whole way and made it. Luckily, I'm in good shape and my luggage is a light backpack.
#280
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago, USA
Programs: TK Elite ...and blue, lots of blue...
Posts: 744
You've probably already made the trip but I agree, 1 hour to walk from A to B and go through passport control is tight. If you have a EU passport it's less stressful, IF the automatic gates work and there isn't some kind of strike/work by the book action from the Federal Police.
#281
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 855
Am I right that if I'm flying MAN-BRU-ORD then I won't have to clear passport control or security in BRU? I should arrive and depart from B gates, right?
As a secondary question, does anyone know why United says that in BRU you have to be at the gate 60 minutes before departure (as opposed to the usual 30 minutes)?
As a secondary question, does anyone know why United says that in BRU you have to be at the gate 60 minutes before departure (as opposed to the usual 30 minutes)?
#282
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BRS (Bristol, UK)
Programs: LH SEN/*G
Posts: 1,265
BRU isn't that well organised, unfortunately. All my ex-UK arrivals (which are sterile flights) have been landed into the general arrivals zone, meaning you have to go through transfer security again before going back upstairs. (It's ridiculous, but BRU have never bothered to reply to my intermittent questions about why they can't land UK flights into the sterile departures area).
You need to be at the gate earlier for secondary screening and passport revalidation. You may get randomly selected for an additional pat down and bag check.
You need to be at the gate earlier for secondary screening and passport revalidation. You may get randomly selected for an additional pat down and bag check.
#283
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Barcelona, Catalunya
Posts: 2,100
Added after seeing BristolTraveller's post: at BRU the "safe" countries are the same as the Schengen area, I assume for practical reasons (the airport only needs to be divided in 2 areas).
#284
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BRS (Bristol, UK)
Programs: LH SEN/*G
Posts: 1,265
At MUC, intermittently at FRA, ZRH, you can be landed directly into the non-Schengen departure area. If you're making a non-Schengen connection, you just walk to the gate, no passports, no security. If you're connecting into Schengen, you just do passports. It's the most efficient it could be.
BRU could do the same by landing ex-UK flights into the Departures area of B (let people walk *up* the ramp to the gate area). If you need to go to the A pier, just go through passports. I don't think it compromises any security or immigration controls at all?
BRU could do the same by landing ex-UK flights into the Departures area of B (let people walk *up* the ramp to the gate area). If you need to go to the A pier, just go through passports. I don't think it compromises any security or immigration controls at all?
#285
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Barcelona, Catalunya
Posts: 2,100
BRU has other rarities, seemingly because they are easier to organise: at customs, there is no "EU" channel (arrivals from EU countries). Everybody goes through the main green/red exits. (In the capital of the EU, of all places, you'd expect them to follow the EU guidelines...)