What is Brussels Airlines’ policy with regard to hand baggage?
Hand baggage is the baggage carried under the passenger’s personal custody in the cabin. On Brussels Airlines flights, the free hand baggage allowance corresponds to the travel class. On flights operated by codeshare partners, the rules of the respective carrier apply.
What is Brussels Airlines’ policy with regard to checked baggage?
On flights operated by Brussels Airlines, the quantity and weight of the free checked baggage allowance varies according to the itinerary and booking class, which can be found on the e-ticket. Any baggage in excess of the free baggage allowance is subject to excess baggage charges. Any piece of baggage weighing more than 32 kg will not be accepted at check-in and must be sent as cargo.
On flights operated by codeshare partners, different baggage regulations and charges may apply. The Most Significant Carrier rule applies for tickets including flights with other airlines than Brussels Airlines. Brussels Airlines’ policy with regard to checked baggage applies when Brussels Airlines operates the geographically longest or most significant leg of the journey. If the longest or the most significant stretch of the journey is operated by another airline, its baggage policy may apply on Brussels Airlines flights or on codeshare flights. The applicable free baggage allowance is mentioned on the electronic ticket.
For flights to/from the US, the baggage policy applied throughout the journey is usually that of the airline listed first on the ticket, but any airline listed as the first carrier on a ticket can choose freely to apply the Most Significant Carrier rule.
Hand Baggage
Depending on the fare purchased/travel class, passengers are entitled to the following free hand baggage allowances:
Route | Fare / Travel Class | Hand Baggage Allowance |
Flights to/from Europe, Armenia, Morocco, Russia, Israel, Egypt, Cape Verde and Tunisia | Check&Go, Light&Relax, Flex&Fast | 1 piece + 1 personal item with a maximum weight of 12 kg in total |
Intercontinental flights | Economy | |
Flights to/from Europe, Armenia, Morocco, Russia, Israel, Egypt, Cape Verde and Tunisia | Bizz&Class | 2 pieces + 1 personal item with a maximum weight of 16 kg in total |
Intercontinental flights | Business | |
The dimensions of each piece of hand baggage may not exceed 55 x 40 x 23 cm. The dimensions of the personal item may not exceed 40 x 30 x 10 cm. |
As a personal item, passengers may carry in the passenger cabin one of the following items:
- Ladies handbag.
- Camera bag.
- Laptop bag.
- Briefcase.
Other smaller items like an overcoat, a blanket, duty-free bag, reading material for the flight, etc. should be stored in either your carry-on bag or personal item.
A fully collapsible stroller/pushchair or an infant’s carrying basket and infant food for consumption on board may be carried free of charge when traveling with an infant.
On flights within Europe, you can check in your hand baggage for free, thus traveling hands-free through the airport, avoiding liquid restrictions, saving time at the security control, and enjoying more seating comfort on board.
However, if you exceed your hand baggage allowance and proceed directly to the gate, you will be charged €45 per item, payable via debit/credit card or with cash at the Service Desk. If you cannot pay this charge, you will be denied boarding.
Checked Baggage
According to the itinerary and booking class, Brussels Airlines offers its passengers the following free baggage allowances and charges the following excess baggage fees:
Europe, the UK, Armenia, Russia, Israel, Morocco | ||||
Checked Baggage | Check&Go | Light&Relax | Flex&Fast | Bizz&Class |
Free Baggage Allowance | No allowance | 1 x 23 kg | 1 x 23 kg | 2 x 32 kg each |
1st piece up to 23 kg | €25 / $31 | – | – | – |
1st piece up to 32 kg | €55 / $75 | €15 / $21 | €80 / $120 | – |
2nd piece up to 23 kg | €40 / $60 | €40 / $60 | €40 / $60 | – |
2nd piece up to 32 kg | €55 / $75 | €55 / $75 | €55 / $75 | – |
3rd-5th piece up to 23 kg each | €40 / $60 | €40 / $60 | €40 / $60 | – |
3rd-5th piece up to 32 kg each | €55 / $75 | €55 / $75 | €55 / $75 | €40 / $60 |
Cape Verde, Egypt | ||||
Checked Baggage | Check&Go | Light&Relax | Flex&Fast | Bizz&Class |
Free Baggage Allowance | No allowance | 1 x 20 kg | 1 x 20 kg | 2 x 20 kg each |
1st piece up to 20 kg | €25 / $31 | – | – | – |
Purchase of excess baggage is not allowed except for one bag in Check&Go. |
Checked Baggage | The US, Canada, India | Africa | ||
Economy | Business | Economy | Business | |
Free Baggage Allowance | 1 x 23 kg | 2 x 32 kg each | 2 x 23 kg each | 2 x 32 kg each |
1st piece up to 32 kg | €80 / $120 | – | €80 / $120 | – |
2nd piece up to 23 kg | €60 / $80 | – | – | – |
2nd piece up to 32 kg | €200 / $300 | – | €80 / $120 | – |
3rd-5th piece up to 23 kg each | €150 / $200 | – | €150 / $200 | – |
3rd-5th piece up to 32 kg each | €200 / $300 | €150 / $200 | €200 / $300 | €150 / $200 |
Each piece of checked baggage should not exceed the maximum size of 158 cm (62.2 in), including pockets, wheels, and handles). Oversized baggage can only be purchased via the Service Centre, Facebook or Twitter.
Additional baggage can be purchased in advance, up to 4 hours before departure, online or through the Service Center. Additional baggage cannot be purchased online after check-in.
There are limitations to the total amount of baggage (free baggage allowance plus excess baggage) and restrictions per piece of excess baggage that a passenger may check:
Excess Baggage | Limit | Over the Limit |
Maximum number of pieces | 5 pieces per passenger | Sent via cargo. |
Maximum weight per piece | 32 kg | Sent via cargo. |
Maximum size per piece | 203 cm (L+H+D) | Subject to evaluation on acceptance. |
Maximum total weight | 100 kg (220 lbs) per person or party | Prior consent required. |
Sporting Equipment
Small sporting equipment may be carried in the passenger cabin, as hand baggage if the allowance is not exceeded in number, size or weight. If the sporting equipment does not comply with these restrictions, it must be transported in the hold.
One ski or snowboard equipment may be transported free of charge, except on routes to/from/via the US and Canada and for Check&Go tickets. For Check&Go tickets, a €45 fee per one-way applies if booked in advance via the Service Centre or a €50 fee at the airport. On flights to/from/via the US and Canada, Brussels Airlines will charge a €100 fee per one-way for ski and snowboard equipment.
All sporting equipment can be accepted as checked baggage free of charge if the free baggage allowance is not exceeded in number of pieces or weight. If the free baggage allowance is exceeded, the following special rates apply per one-way flight for the sporting equipment specified in the table below:
Bicycle, Alpinism, Hiking, Walking, Archery, Boogieboard, Bodyboard, Bowling, Fencing, Fishing, Golf, Hockey, Inline Skates, Javelin, Kite Surfboard, Wakeboard, Parachute, Skateboard, Sporting and Hunting Weapons plus Ammunition, Scuba Equipment, Surfboard (up to 2m), Tennis, Squash, Badminton, Waterski, Waveboard | €45 – in advance, on European flights (via the Service Centre) €50/$70 – European flights €100/$130 – Intercontinental flights |
Canoe, Kayak, Hang Gliding, Horse Riding, Longboard (over 2 m), Pole Vault, Rubber Dinghy, Tandem Bike, Windsurf | €100/$130 – European flights €200/$300 – Intercontinental flights |
Baggage Services
Passengers should report any missing baggage before leaving the airport. Brussels Airlines will accept reasonable costs only for passengers arriving without luggage in a country other than the one in which they reside. In the event that your baggage is not found in 3 weeks, a written claim must be sent to Customer Relations.
Any damage must be reported before leaving the airport. If you did not notice the damage immediately, and therefore couldn’t submit a Damaged Luggage Report, you must send a written complaint, together with sustaining documents, within 7 days, but the burden of the proof that the damage existed prior to the receipt of your luggage will lie on you.