Brussels Airlines compensation: how to claim
Brussels Airlines is registered in Belgium, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Registered in
- Belgium (EU carrier)
- Main bases
- Brussels (BRU)
- Typical first response
- About 40 days
- Time limit where it is based
- 1 year (Belgium)
Brussels Airlines is registered in Belgium, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Arriving in the EU from outside Europe: covered by EU261, because Brussels Airlines is an EU carrier.
- Arriving in the UK from outside Europe: covered by UK261, which also protects arrivals on EU carriers.
How Brussels Airlines handles claims
Belgium has a notably short window for air passenger claims — around one year in practice. Of every airline on this site, a Brussels Airlines claim is the one most likely to expire before you get round to it.
Their African network from Brussels puts many claims in the over-3,500 km band at €600.
Part of the Lufthansa group, with rejection wording that mirrors Lufthansa’s.
The Belgian enforcement body sits within the federal public service for mobility.
What a delay on Brussels Airlines is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels (BRU) → Paris (CDG) | 252 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Brussels (BRU) → Barcelona (BCN) | 1,084 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Brussels (BRU) → Rome (FCO) | 1,173 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Brussels (BRU) → Amsterdam (AMS) | 158 km | EU261 | €250 |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from Brussels Airlines, by what happened
- Brussels Airlines: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- Brussels Airlines: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- Brussels Airlines: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- Brussels Airlines: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your Brussels Airlines flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to Brussels Airlines yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
Brussels Airlines: common questions
How much compensation can I get from Brussels Airlines?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. Brussels Airlines is registered in Belgium, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
Does Brussels Airlines have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against Brussels Airlines?
In Belgium, where Brussels Airlines is based, the limit is 1 year, counted from the date of arrival — this is the shortest window in this list, act quickly. You can usually also claim where your flight departed or arrived, which may give you longer — for example six years in England and Wales.
Where do I send a claim to Brussels Airlines?
Brussels Airlines takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is Brussels Airlines, Customer Relations, Airport Building 26, Ringbaan, 1831 Diegem, Belgium. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old Brussels Airlines flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.