Connecting in Brussels [BRU]
Sep 13, 2025 | 3:59 am
#406
Join Date: Dec 2022
Programs: Miles and More - Senator
Posts: 54
Thank you! The Hainan flight is in the mirning. Is there passport control.from Paris arrival to Chiba departure? I have heard sone stories of this being extremely busy time, with long lines. This would be booked as one ticket with luggage checked through. Think its pretty safe connection tine?
B-A can be a mess (no E-gates)
B-exit can be a mess (non European passports, sometimes E-gates as well)
Airport is a disaster for non-Eu passports Always ashamed that we feel this is normal for welcoming visitors.
Sep 13, 2025 | 6:09 am
#407
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 2,581
A to B should be pretty smooth if you have BP and European passport (E-gates)
B-A can be a mess (no E-gates)
B-exit can be a mess (non European passports, sometimes E-gates as well)
Airport is a disaster for non-Eu passports Always ashamed that we feel this is normal for welcoming visitors.
B-A can be a mess (no E-gates)
B-exit can be a mess (non European passports, sometimes E-gates as well)
Airport is a disaster for non-Eu passports Always ashamed that we feel this is normal for welcoming visitors.
Last edited by 1k-all-the-way; Sep 13, 2025 at 6:22 am
Sep 13, 2025 | 6:41 am
#408
Join Date: Dec 2022
Programs: Miles and More - Senator
Posts: 54
Hard to predict, I base myself on the occasional queues after security (border control is the same as for new departures) Most of the time its ok, every now and then its a complete mess Arrivals are worse afaik (I can imagine they prioritise people not missing flights). But an hour still seems quite some time Its a relatively small airport. Did see people walking with a short connection voucher yesterday, not sure how that works.
Sep 13, 2025 | 11:05 pm
#409
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: LH SEN, TK E, ex BA GGL in less than 5 days
Posts: 5,214
Thank you! The Hainan flight is in the mirning. Is there passport control.from Paris arrival to Chiba departure? I have heard sone stories of this being extremely busy time, with long lines. This would be booked as one ticket with luggage checked through. Think its pretty safe connection tine?
Passport control is not very predictable, it also depends if the day is close to the local school holidays.
In my opinion the real problem for non EU passport is on arrival at BRU from non-Schengen countries.
Sep 14, 2025 | 9:44 am
#411
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: IAH
Programs: MileagePlus-Premier Silver, Marriott Bonvoy-Silver Elite
Posts: 998
Hello all, I have never been to BRU airport.
I am considering a flight from CDG TO BRU on Brussels, with a 90 min connection to Hainan to China. This will be in winter season. Seems risky and I am considering taking the train from Paris instead. Thoughts on that?
(The train goes to Midi, then another train or taxi?)
Thanks for any suggestions....
I am considering a flight from CDG TO BRU on Brussels, with a 90 min connection to Hainan to China. This will be in winter season. Seems risky and I am considering taking the train from Paris instead. Thoughts on that?
(The train goes to Midi, then another train or taxi?)
Thanks for any suggestions....
Feb 9, 2026 | 12:54 pm
#412
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 2
I have a flight next week flying from Warsaw to Brussels on LOT and Brussels to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific under the same PNR and the booking is booked on Cathay's website.
Have checked with Cathay agents and understand that my baggage can check through, but LOT may not be able to issue boarding pass on BRU -> HKG leg. In this case, to skip the security queue and considering Cathay's counter at the departure hall is closed 75 minutes before departure (which I might not be able to reach there by the deadline in light of the short connection time), could I just collect my boarding pass directly at the departure gate on BRU-> HKG, without going to the departure hall to collect the boarding pass?
Have checked with Cathay agents and understand that my baggage can check through, but LOT may not be able to issue boarding pass on BRU -> HKG leg. In this case, to skip the security queue and considering Cathay's counter at the departure hall is closed 75 minutes before departure (which I might not be able to reach there by the deadline in light of the short connection time), could I just collect my boarding pass directly at the departure gate on BRU-> HKG, without going to the departure hall to collect the boarding pass?
Feb 9, 2026 | 10:47 pm
#413
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Europe
Programs: M&M mainly
Posts: 365
With 75 mins connection, I would go directly to the gate. Cathay leaves almost the same time as the majority of US connections, and it can be crowded at the passport control between Schengen and non-Schengen.
Feb 10, 2026 | 1:14 am
#414
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 52,534
And you should be able to generate a boarding pass in the CX app the moment you land in BRU. Just make sure you show the baggage tags issued by LOT to the CX gate agent so they know you have checked bags.
Feb 13, 2026 | 12:23 am
#415
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Belgium
Programs: TK Elite ...and blue, lots of blue...
Posts: 772
I have a flight next week flying from Warsaw to Brussels on LOT and Brussels to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific under the same PNR and the booking is booked on Cathay's website.
Have checked with Cathay agents and understand that my baggage can check through, but LOT may not be able to issue boarding pass on BRU -> HKG leg. In this case, to skip the security queue and considering Cathay's counter at the departure hall is closed 75 minutes before departure (which I might not be able to reach there by the deadline in light of the short connection time), could I just collect my boarding pass directly at the departure gate on BRU-> HKG, without going to the departure hall to collect the boarding pass?
Have checked with Cathay agents and understand that my baggage can check through, but LOT may not be able to issue boarding pass on BRU -> HKG leg. In this case, to skip the security queue and considering Cathay's counter at the departure hall is closed 75 minutes before departure (which I might not be able to reach there by the deadline in light of the short connection time), could I just collect my boarding pass directly at the departure gate on BRU-> HKG, without going to the departure hall to collect the boarding pass?
As Oliver said: Walk from A to B, you will not go through security, just passport control. People are managing the queue. If you are short on time, talk to them, and they will let you skip the queue. Try checking in online in the app, there is free wifi in BRU. And +1 on checking with the gate agent that your luggage is checked through.
Feb 14, 2026 | 9:03 am
#416
Join Date: Jul 2024
Programs: FB Plat, LH SEN, IHG Diamond Amb, Accor Plat, Marriot Gold.
Posts: 1,258
Might be problem in Brussels March 12.
"Brussels Airport Likely Closed For Departing Traffic On Thursday March 12, 2026"
https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/02/14/...march-12-2026/
"Brussels Airport Likely Closed For Departing Traffic On Thursday March 12, 2026"
https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/02/14/...march-12-2026/
Apr 13, 2026 | 3:58 am
#417
Join Date: Feb 2026
Location: South East England
Programs: Hilton Gold/Marriott Gold/Vietnam Airlines Gold/easyJet Plus
Posts: 106
Connection time at BRU
I have an upcoming itinerary on Brussels Airlines and the connection time is one hour, I am slightly concerned as I am coming exEU so within Schengen but changing for London so will have to exit Schengen at Brussels as well.
Thoughts on how doable this connection is, its all ticketed by Brussels Airlines on one PNR so I know I'll be sorted its just the hassle of an extra night in Brussels, I'm connecting with the last LHR flight that night.
Any experience on tight connections at BRU, is there a fast track lane for connections?
Thoughts on how doable this connection is, its all ticketed by Brussels Airlines on one PNR so I know I'll be sorted its just the hassle of an extra night in Brussels, I'm connecting with the last LHR flight that night.
Any experience on tight connections at BRU, is there a fast track lane for connections?
Apr 13, 2026 | 4:39 am
#418
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Europe
Programs: M&M mainly
Posts: 365
I have an upcoming itinerary on Brussels Airlines and the connection time is one hour, I am slightly concerned as I am coming exEU so within Schengen but changing for London so will have to exit Schengen at Brussels as well.
Thoughts on how doable this connection is, its all ticketed by Brussels Airlines on one PNR so I know I'll be sorted its just the hassle of an extra night in Brussels, I'm connecting with the last LHR flight that night.
Any experience on tight connections at BRU, is there a fast track lane for connections?
Thoughts on how doable this connection is, its all ticketed by Brussels Airlines on one PNR so I know I'll be sorted its just the hassle of an extra night in Brussels, I'm connecting with the last LHR flight that night.
Any experience on tight connections at BRU, is there a fast track lane for connections?
Apr 13, 2026 | 5:43 am
#419
Join Date: Feb 2026
Location: South East England
Programs: Hilton Gold/Marriott Gold/Vietnam Airlines Gold/easyJet Plus
Posts: 106
It is doable if you are not delayed. If you land in BRU at distant (A60+) gates you will have over 1 km walk to the passport control. After 9pm not many flights depart from B (non Schengen) so there should not be a long queue for passport control. No fast track, but automatic gates for EU pass holders and US pass holders.
Apr 13, 2026 | 9:19 am
#420
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: many
Posts: 7,324
Could anybody update us on real experiences with the (Schengen) lounge situation at BRU, now that the LOFT is closed for renovations?
And does anybody know when to is supposed to be reopened? (SN says "summer")
Thank you!
And does anybody know when to is supposed to be reopened? (SN says "summer")
Thank you!