Connecting flights
Thousands of passengers pass through Brussels Airport every day. Whether you must go through security and border control again depends on where you're coming from and where you're going. Your baggage will usually be checked through to your next flight - unless you've booked two separate tickets. Want to know more about what to expect? Find out all the details about transfers at Brussels Airport.
Find your connecting flight
After landing and getting the go-ahead from the cabin crew to switch your phone back on, you can quickly check your next flight. Find your gate and boarding time here, use the Brussels Airport app or chat with BRUce for real-time updates.
Tip: Did you miss or have your connecting flight cancelled? Head to your airline’s desk in the departure hall, where staff will assist you. View plan.
Boarding pass and luggage
You’ll usually get your boarding pass for your connecting flight when you check in for the first one—nice and easy, with no extra check-ins. Didn’t get yours yet? Please pick it up at your airline’s desk.
Your luggage is usually sent straight to your next flight. But if you’re travelling on two separate tickets, your bags will appear on the baggage carousel in the arrivals hall. You’ll need to grab them and check them in again. View arrivals.
Tip: Flying with Brussels Airlines or another Lufthansa Group airline? Save time and use the Self Bag Drop—just make sure you've checked in first.
Head to your gate
Enter your flight details here to find out your gate. You can also check the screens around the terminal. Once you know, follow the yellow signs to get there. Need a hand? Ask one of the staff for directions or use this map.
FAQs about tranfers
Your transfer at Brussels Airport depends on your departure point and destination. You are travelling from...
- Schengen to Schengen (e.g. Madrid to Berlin): No extra security. You go directly to your gate.
- Non-Schengen to Non-Schengen (e.g. Beijing to Kinshasa or Dakar): You will go through security on arrival.
- Non-Schengen to Schengen (e.g. Beijing to Madrid): You will go through security and border control. View your transfer.
- Flights from countries such as the USA, Canada, UK and Montenegro are subject to One Stop Security (OSS) and do not require additional security screening. However, you will go through border control. View your transfer.
- Schengen to non-Schengen (e.g. Rome to Kinshasa): You will go through border control before departure. View your transfer.
The minimum transfer time is 50 minutes, except for the US with a 65-minute transfer time.
Check with your airline to see if your luggage will be checked through. If so, your luggage will be automatically transferred to your next flight. If not, you’ll need to collect your luggage in the baggage claim area and check it in again for your next flight.
It depends. If you're flying to a country outside the Schengen area, you'll often have to go through passport control and additional security checks. If you're within the Schengen area, you can usually go straight to your gate.
A layover is when your plane lands at an intermediate point, but you don't disembark. You simply remain in your seat before continuing on to your final destination.
Yes, Brussels Airport has a wide range of shops offering everything from duty-free goods to local Belgian products. View all shops.