Connecting in Brussels [BRU]
#241
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between SFO & SJC
Programs: UA 1MM (and no longer flying much)
Posts: 777
A quick note on Africa connections not covered by any recent posts.
I'm flying IAD-BRU-ACC today, and there is a very long line for the bus from the B gates (US arrivals are there) to the T gates (SN Africa departures). They check passports before you get on the bus. Talking with a guy in line I learned that the long line is very common. Fortunately I have 3hr layover and am now hanging out in the Sunrise (T gates) lounge, which is bland but uncrowded.
I'm flying IAD-BRU-ACC today, and there is a very long line for the bus from the B gates (US arrivals are there) to the T gates (SN Africa departures). They check passports before you get on the bus. Talking with a guy in line I learned that the long line is very common. Fortunately I have 3hr layover and am now hanging out in the Sunrise (T gates) lounge, which is bland but uncrowded.
#242
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: EUG BKK
Programs: Zero Status Nexus
Posts: 432
Hello, I am flying PDX-EWR-BRU-BUD on an economy ticket next weekend and confused about the immigration, checked baggage and/or carryon policy at BRU, especially with a 1 hour and 45 minute connection. Flying UA999, EWR-BRU and then an UA codeshare UA9907, BRU-BUD, operated by SN dba Eurowings. Its a 3 day trip so I can use a carry-on but I noticed Eurowings only allows 1 cabin bag so like most Americans, I use a laptop backpack for under the seat, plus a carry-on. So what is my best procedure? Use a carry-on and gate check my carry-on at BRU? Or will my luggage go thru to BUD if I check 1 bag? Thanks
#243
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: BRU
Programs: LH FTL; A3*Gold
Posts: 311
Hello, I am flying PDX-EWR-BRU-BUD on an economy ticket next weekend and confused about the immigration, checked baggage and/or carryon policy at BRU, especially with a 1 hour and 45 minute connection. Flying UA999, EWR-BRU and then an UA codeshare UA9907, BRU-BUD, operated by SN dba Eurowings. Its a 3 day trip so I can use a carry-on but I noticed Eurowings only allows 1 cabin bag so like most Americans, I use a laptop backpack for under the seat, plus a carry-on. So what is my best procedure? Use a carry-on and gate check my carry-on at BRU? Or will my luggage go thru to BUD if I check 1 bag? Thanks
Carry-on baggage: just go to the gate, board and try to find an overhead bin (in your cabin section). From my experience SN is rather cool about the carry-ons - they try to accommodate everybody until they run out of the overhead space. If your bag is really big they may tell you to get it tagged at the gate and you will pick it in BUD from the baggage claim (not from the airplane). If you're in b.flex (what is your booking class?) you're actually allowed to pre-board, which will give you an excellent chance of finding an empty bin. Note - next weekend is the beginning of school holidays in Belgium, so the flight will be full and airport busy. If you want to check your suitcase all the way to BUD you do NOT need to reclaim it in BRU.
No immigration control in BUD as you have enter the Schengen area in BRU. However, you will be required to show your passport while boarding in BRU.
Have a good trip (quite a distance for 4 days!).
Last edited by AVSA; Jun 24, 2018 at 8:23 am Reason: typo
#244
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: EUG BKK
Programs: Zero Status Nexus
Posts: 432
Thank you so much for your detailed information, especially the upcoming Belgium school holiday. I am booked in a UA "K" fare so I imagine it's below a b.flex ticket so I will check my bag to keep the BRU transit simple. Happy Travels!
#245
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,848
#246
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,567
Hello folks. I am connecting from TLV to BRU to IAD with a 85 minute connection at BRU. Is this doable? I am in business class on both legs if that makes a difference. Are there fast track lanes that I can access? The flight arrives at 850 am in the morning if that helps and SN has a couple of US departures within minutes of each other.
#247
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,647
Hello folks. I am connecting from TLV to BRU to IAD with a 85 minute connection at BRU. Is this doable? I am in business class on both legs if that makes a difference. Are there fast track lanes that I can access? The flight arrives at 850 am in the morning if that helps and SN has a couple of US departures within minutes of each other.
G
#248
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,641
Hello folks. I am connecting from TLV to BRU to IAD with a 85 minute connection at BRU. Is this doable? I am in business class on both legs if that makes a difference. Are there fast track lanes that I can access? The flight arrives at 850 am in the morning if that helps and SN has a couple of US departures within minutes of each other.
#249
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,267
I booked the following routing for July 2019, and now I kind of regret picking the 70 min connection at BRU instead of the 140 min connection. Two questions:
1. Is this routing doable?
United partner award in J
US passport
Traveling light--my carry on will be a hiking backpack w/ about 15 lbs of stuff in it. This means I can run if I have to.
Final destination is LAX (on AC)
SN 2712 GVA > BRU
Dep. GVA @ 8.15 AM
Arr. BRU @ 9:35 AM
Connect to
SN 551 BRU > YYZ
Dep. BRU @ 10:45 AM
2. There is also SN 2726 from GVA to BRU, which departs at 7:05 AM. If I show up early at GVA on the day of, is there any chance that SN might let me take the earlier flight?
I called United to try to change the routing to do GVA > BRU the night before, overnight in BRU, and then continue in the morning, but they couldn't do it. Apparently, GVA > BRU > YYZ was a married segment.
Thanks!
1. Is this routing doable?
United partner award in J
US passport
Traveling light--my carry on will be a hiking backpack w/ about 15 lbs of stuff in it. This means I can run if I have to.
Final destination is LAX (on AC)
SN 2712 GVA > BRU
Dep. GVA @ 8.15 AM
Arr. BRU @ 9:35 AM
Connect to
SN 551 BRU > YYZ
Dep. BRU @ 10:45 AM
2. There is also SN 2726 from GVA to BRU, which departs at 7:05 AM. If I show up early at GVA on the day of, is there any chance that SN might let me take the earlier flight?
I called United to try to change the routing to do GVA > BRU the night before, overnight in BRU, and then continue in the morning, but they couldn't do it. Apparently, GVA > BRU > YYZ was a married segment.
Thanks!
Last edited by lobo411; Aug 19, 2018 at 5:10 pm
#250
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SFO, BRU, ADB
Programs: UA Gold, BA Silver, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 706
I booked the following routing for July 2019, and now I kind of regret picking the 70 min connection at BRU instead of the 140 min connection. Two questions:
1. Is this routing doable?
United partner award in J
US passport
Traveling light--my carry on will be a hiking backpack w/ about 15 lbs of stuff in it. This means I can run if I have to.
Final destination is LAX (on AC)
SN 2712 GVA > BRU
Dep. GVA @ 8.15 AM
Arr. BRU @ 9:35 AM
Connect to
SN 551 BRU > YYZ
Dep. BRU @ 10:45 AM
2. There is also SN 2726 from GVA to BRU, which departs at 7:05 AM. If I show up early at GVA on the day of, is there any chance that SN might let me take the earlier flight?
I called United to try to change the routing to do GVA > BRU the night before, overnight in BRU, and then continue in the morning, but they couldn't do it. Apparently, GVA > BRU > YYZ was a married segment.
Thanks!
1. Is this routing doable?
United partner award in J
US passport
Traveling light--my carry on will be a hiking backpack w/ about 15 lbs of stuff in it. This means I can run if I have to.
Final destination is LAX (on AC)
SN 2712 GVA > BRU
Dep. GVA @ 8.15 AM
Arr. BRU @ 9:35 AM
Connect to
SN 551 BRU > YYZ
Dep. BRU @ 10:45 AM
2. There is also SN 2726 from GVA to BRU, which departs at 7:05 AM. If I show up early at GVA on the day of, is there any chance that SN might let me take the earlier flight?
I called United to try to change the routing to do GVA > BRU the night before, overnight in BRU, and then continue in the morning, but they couldn't do it. Apparently, GVA > BRU > YYZ was a married segment.
Thanks!
Worst case they will put you on the IAD flight leaving at noon.
#251
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN**, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 669
Agree that you should be fine. I checked the on-time performance of SN2712, which is 68%, and delays are not more than 15min typically. Also BRU is among the more convenient airports for connections; it is not more than a 10 min walk from your arrival to your departure gate + a few minutes a passport control.
#253
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Florida
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,917
We are connecting in BRU in a few days, I am on on Brussels Airlines: LHR-BRU connecting to BRU-Africa. I want to buy a few bottles of alcohol (Jack Daniels and/or wine) at duty-free in either LHR or BRU. Can you tell me:
- Which do you think would have the better prices, LHR or BRU?
- If I buy at LHR, will I be OK carrying the bottles through BRU while in transit?
Thanks.
- Which do you think would have the better prices, LHR or BRU?
- If I buy at LHR, will I be OK carrying the bottles through BRU while in transit?
Thanks.
#254
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SFO, BRU, ADB
Programs: UA Gold, BA Silver, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 706
We are connecting in BRU in a few days, I am on on Brussels Airlines: LHR-BRU connecting to BRU-Africa. I want to buy a few bottles of alcohol (Jack Daniels and/or wine) at duty-free in either LHR or BRU. Can you tell me:
- Which do you think would have the better prices, LHR or BRU?
- If I buy at LHR, will I be OK carrying the bottles through BRU while in transit?
Thanks.
- Which do you think would have the better prices, LHR or BRU?
- If I buy at LHR, will I be OK carrying the bottles through BRU while in transit?
Thanks.