Brussels Airport (BRU)

Brussels Airport (BRU) is the largest international airport of Belgium, and one of the most significant airports in Europe, serving 24.4 million passengers in 2025, which corresponds to an increase of 3.3% over 2024. This airport is located in the municipality of Zaventem at a distance of 12 kilometers from Brussels. The airport is also called Brussels-Zaventem or Brussels-National Airport, being the main gateway to the Belgian capital of Brussels, where the headquarters of the European Union and NATO are located, as well as the cities of Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp.

Instead of large airport facilities with numerous buildings, Brussels Airport is designed according to a one-terminal concept, i.e., the only building, which has a main terminal building with two wings (Pier A and Pier B), located under the same roof and connected with each other through the above-ground building called Connector. The airport is the second most significant source of income for the Belgian economy in Belgium and represents the main operating hub of Brussels Airlines and TUI fly Belgium airline companies as well as hub of Star Alliance and the largest pharmaceutical cargo airport in Europe. In 2026, 205 destinations can be reached from BRU, operated by 83 airlines.

Airlines Operating at Brussels Airport (BRU)

While not segregated based on the terminal buildings, the BRU airport layout segregates airlines based on the destination type; a concept that every passenger ought to be aware of.

• Pier A (Schengen Zone + T-Gates): The more recent BRU pier is Pier A, inaugurated in May 2002, and deals with all the Schengen flights using gates A1 to A60. Further down the pier lies the T-Zone (T61 to T72, which came into being after Brussels Airlines started offering non-Schengen flights from this pier), which operates Brussels Airlines flights to Africa and its daily flight to NY JFK.
• Pier B (Non-Schengen Zone): Pier B is meant only for non-Schengen flights and is used for long-haul and intercontinental flights in addition to UK flights. Long-haul carriers operating from this pier include Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Cathay Pacific (flying east), while Delta operates NY JFK and Atlanta (to the west). Other international airlines like British Airways and United Airlines also use this pier.
• Movement Between Piers: The Connector structure connects Pier A and Pier B and contains the primary security checkpoint. Nonetheless, since Pier B is outside of passport control, changing from one pier to the other involves passing through Schengen border control each time.
• Hub and Network Expansion: Brussels Airlines and TUI fly Belgium have their headquarters at BRU, and the airport continues to be an important Star Alliance hub, with transfer traffic making up 14% of total traffic, mostly in flights to Africa and North America from Europe. In 2025, there was an expansion in the network of the airport by three new airlines, namely Cathay Pacific, Air Senegal, and Smartwings, and six new destinations, out of which there were three intercontinental destinations, including Atlanta via Delta Air Lines.

Brussels Airport (BRU) Baggage Claim

Check-in and baggage pick-up occur in a separate floor of the single terminal building.

• Floors: The terminal of BRU is designed in various floors, Level -1 for trains, Level 0 for buses and taxis, Level 1 for check-in, Level 2 for departure and Level 3 for arrival (please note that the information on levels provided by different sources differs a little; arrivals and baggage pick-up are found below departure level in all sources).
• Baggage Halls: Baggage claim is done in the arrivals hall, there is an information counter right near the baggage carousel 5, and it works from 6 am to 9 pm daily. Airport personnel who are dressed in “May I help you?” T-shirts are always available round the clock in the baggage hall.
• Baggage Handling: Ground handling agents handle all luggage in BRU, mainly Aviapartner and Alyzia handle checked bags rather than the airport.

Lost & Found and Baggage Irregularities

In case of your baggage being missing or damaged, or any personal items being missing, at BRU, this issue is shared between the airline’s handling agent and the Lost & Found service at the airport itself.

• Missing/Damaged Baggage: You can report your loss at the desk of the respective handling agent prior to departure from the reclaim hall; the desks of these agents are located close to belts 7 and 8 at the reclaim hall. The agent will record the loss and inform the traveler about the procedure for completing the online declaration, if required.
• Personal Item Loss: If you lose something else anywhere within the terminal (not luggage) you need to contact the Lost & Found service at the airport through its online contact form and provide information on what you have lost; you will be contacted by the service when the item is found. In case of any loss of a personal identity card, passport, or any other official document found, it will always be delivered to the Lost & Found service at the airport.
• Luggage Storage: There are luggage lockers that can be found on the ground level of the airport, next to the bus and taxi services. The pricing depends on how many pieces you store: each piece is €10 for every 24 hours, while additional pieces cost less, with a fourth piece costing €2.50 for every 24 hours. The payment is only possible using credit/debit cards.

Lounges at Brussels Airport (BRU)

The lounges at BRU are rather limited compared to major airports such as Dubai or Singapore, yet provide a decent choice for the both piers.

• Diamond Lounge (Pier A, Schengen): Located near Gate A42, it can be reached through the escalator, it is open daily from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is the main lounge for Schengen flights and can be booked or used under certain memberships.
• The View (Pier B, Non-Schengen): It is located between Gates B04 and B05, reachable via the stairs or lift. It is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• The Loft: The flagship lounge of Brussels Airlines, which is located in Pier A and is situated opposite to Gate A42 and provides a stylish environment that combines modern and traditional styles of Belgium.
• Sunrise Lounge: A small lounge situated at the end of the T-gates, operating from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. every day and serving mostly passengers who use the Brussels Airlines flights to Africa and New York.

Access to Lounge Programs

• Priority Pass/LoungeKey: Diamond Lounge and The View lounges are open to Priority Pass Select members, including American Express Platinum cardholders, as well as LoungeKey members, although the list of the lounges’ networks has changed throughout the years.
• Day Passes: For travelers who do not have access to a lounge membership program, it is possible to purchase a lounge pass online on the website dedicated to lounges at the price of about €37.50 – €39.
• Premium Cabin/Status: Business and first-class passengers of many Star Alliance and partner airlines, as well as frequent flyer elites, are eligible to use the Diamond Lounge and The View lounge depending on the class of their ticket/status.

Brussels Airport (BRU) Parking

At BRU, there is an official parking tier system available, including covered short-term parking garages located right opposite the terminal and economical shuttle-served long-term car parks. The costs mentioned below are the current (as of 2026) published rates and may depend on demand-based pricing.

• Front Parking (P1, P2, P3) – walking distance: The P1 Front Parking, P2 Economy Parking, and P3 Holiday Parking garages are located directly opposite to the terminal building and are just within walking distance from departures and arrivals areas. Costs: the first 30 minutes of stay cost €5, but day rates and weekly caps depend on the parking garage, and P1 is generally more expensive than P2 and P3 because of its location. Height Restrictions: P1 and P3 garages allow for cars up to 2.10 meters, while P2 is restricted to 1.90 meters.
• Discount Parking (Discount 1 & 2) – shuttle service: Discount 1 & 2 parking garages are situated in the Brucargo area at some distance from the terminal, so you will have to use the free shuttle bus. Prices: about €15-€18 daily, thus being the most economical BRU official long-term parking option. Shuttle: free shuttle buses leave every 10-15 minutes to and from the terminal.
• VIP Parking & Lock Parking Service: VIP Parking (with valet-style service) in P1 and Lock Parking in P2 represent the two best and most protected parking facilities offered by BRU. Price: Both VIP variants cost substantially more than the regular garage rates, about €35–€45 per day.
• Outside/Park-and-Ride Parking Price: Private operators offering services near the airport provide much cheaper rates, which start at about €5–€15 per day. Information: Booking parking services in advance, at least a week before, can help reduce the price by 30 to 40 percent, compared to walk-up prices, both for official or private parking.
• Drop-Off Area Description: The drop-off area is located on the departures level of the airport. The first 10 minutes of stay are free, but further staying is available for €12 plus €3 for each minute over, and it will be automatically calculated according to the number plate recognition system.

Shopping at Brussels Airport (BRU)

BRU is renowned amongst frequent flyers for having one particular claim to fame; it is considered to be the world’s biggest point-of-sale of chocolate.

Duty Free

Aelia Duty Free stores are located right in the path of departing passengers in both Piers A (Schengen) and B (non-Schengen), offering a wide range of luxury perfume and cosmetics to gourmet food and champagne/wine. The Belgian Chocolate House: Located in both piers, the store offers all kinds of top Belgian chocolate brands such as Neuhaus, Godiva, Leonidas, Corné Port-Royal and Marcolini, as well as Galler, Dandoy and Guylian. Around 1.5 kg of chocolate is sold per minute, which translates into 2 tonnes daily, and over 800 tonnes annually – this volume makes BRU the world’s busiest chocolate retailer. Diamonds and Luxury Goods: Antwerp Diamonds & Jewels specializes in Antwerp-cut diamond jewellery and luxury fashion labels like Hugo Boss, Longchamp, Tumi, Ralph Lauren and Delvaux.

Other Shops 

Memorabilia and Collectables: Tintin & Toys provides Belgian pop culture memorabilia, as well as WHSmith and other newsstands. Tobacco: As per Belgian legislation, tobacco goods are provided out of closed display cases at the counter.

F&B 

Food choices include a wide variety, with food options available at both piers and the Connector terminal, going from Belgian beer and waffles to full-service restaurants and coffee shops.

Shopping Tips

Shop Before Getting Into the Gate Zone: As Pier A handles Schengen flights and Pier B serves flights outside of the Schengen zone, and transferring between these piers involves getting through passport control, determine your shopping point depending on your departing pier. Chocolate Pricing Alert: Travelers have reported airport prices being a bit more than the chocolatiers in the city, and if you have some spare time before boarding your flight, you might save some money in the city.

Conclusion

Even though Brussels Airport lacks the vastness found at some mega hubs around the world, with a compact design, well-equipped Connector building, and serving as an important Star Alliance hub, it is considered one of the easiest European airports for transfer, particularly in cases where passengers travel from one Schengen flight to another. With an estimated traffic of 24.4 million passengers in 2025 and a constantly growing network of long-haul flights, BRU continues to become more and more important for Belgium in terms of being the country’s international gateway. Moreover, with the largest airport chocolate retail store in the world, trains providing access to the city center of Brussels, and a constantly growing number of lounges and restaurants on both of the piers, BRU becomes even more dependable for people flying into Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)