As the capital of Belgium and the headquarters of the European Union, Brussels is not only the political heart of Europe, but also a city where art, food and multilingual culture are intertwined. Many travelers choose Brussels as their first stop on the way to Europe, and a comfortable flight not only determines the first impression of the journey, but also often affects the emotional ups and downs of the entire journey.
Ⅰ. Major airlines flying directly to Brussels: Who is better in service and comfort?
As the most important gateway airport in Belgium, Brussels International Airport (Brussels Airport, BRU) maintains flight connections with more than 200 cities around the world. Direct flights are particularly dense between Europe and Asia. The following airlines are often chosen by travelers.
1. Brussels Airlines
Recommended platforms: Skyscanner, Omio, Google Flights, Brussels Airlines official website
Route advantages: Brussels Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, and it mainly flies directly from Brussels to inland European cities such as Berlin, Copenhagen, Budapest, and Barcelona, with extremely high cost performance.
Seat evaluation: The economy class seats are relatively compact, with a seat pitch of about 78cm, but the seat cushions are soft, suitable for short-distance flights. The business class seats support 180-degree flat lying and are equipped with leather cushions. It is recommended that medium and long-distance passengers consider upgrading their experience.
In-flight meals: Regional flights mostly provide simple cold dishes, but if you take an intercontinental route (such as Brussels-New York), a three-course menu with Belgian local flavor is provided, including beer-braised beef and Belgian chocolate desserts.
2. Qatar Airways
Recommended platforms: Expedia, Trip.com, Kiwi, Qatar Airways official website
Route advantages: Most flights transit from Doha, connecting Asian cities such as Bangkok, Tokyo, Singapore, and Beijing, and finally arriving in Brussels.
Seat evaluation: The economy class seat width is 43cm, which is the best among regular economy classes, and the Qsuite business class is the best in the industry.
In-flight meals: A variety of choices, the economy class offers international flavors such as beef rice and eggplant risotto, and the business class catering is at the level of first-line Western restaurants, and you can even order Michelin menus.
3. Emirates
Recommended platforms: Booking.com (Flight module), KAYAK, Emirates official website
Route advantages: Dubai is a transit station, serving the Asian, African, and Australian markets, with a wide range of routes and competitive fares.
Seat evaluation: The legroom in the economy class is relatively spacious, and the entertainment system ICE is highly praised; the business class is equipped with an exclusive boarding channel and a small bar.
In-flight meals: Both Emirati and Western meals are available. It is recommended to try the spiced lamb rice or cream mushroom chicken, which are served with baked desserts.
4. Lufthansa
Recommended platforms: Lufthansa official website, Tripadvisor, Opodo, Lastminute.com
Route advantages: Transit via Frankfurt or Munich, suitable for travelers from China or North America to Brussels.
Seat evaluation: The comfort level is average, but the reliability is high, especially suitable for business travelers who have requirements for punctuality.
In-flight meals: Mainly German cold meat platter, sausage fried rice, etc., which are salty and heavy, suitable for those who prefer Western food.
5. Turkish Airlines
Recommended platforms: Turkish Airlines official website, Hopper, Skiplagged, Momondo
Route advantages: Istanbul is a transit hub with high price elasticity. It launches promotions in many places all year round and is very popular among backpackers.
Seat review: The economy class has a legroom of about 81cm and is equipped with an adjustable headrest, so you won’t feel tired after a long journey. The business class offers fully reclining seats with thick mattresses and blankets.
In-flight meals: It is known worldwide as the “No. 1 in flight catering”, and is paired with Turkish desserts and hot tea, with a rich flavor.
Ⅱ. How to choose a booking platform? Cost-effectiveness and service are both indispensable
1. GetYourGuide + Omio: A tool for combining multi-city itineraries
Suitable for travelers who need to connect multiple journeys such as Brussels-Amsterdam-Paris. Omio excels in integrated searches for short-distance trains, long-distance buses and flights, while GetYourGuide provides extended services such as airport transfers, sightseeing tours and luggage delivery.
2. Skyscanner + Expedia: Compare prices and guarantee
Skyscanner is suitable for one-click search of quotes from multiple platforms, and provides flexible filtering conditions such as “direct flights first” and “checked baggage included” options. After the search is completed, you can jump to Expedia to order. Its “cancellation insurance + 24-hour free rebooking” service is suitable for those who are uncertain about the plan.
3. Trip.com + Kiwi.com: A pioneer combination covering niche destinations around the world
Suitable for travelers flying to Brussels from niche starting points such as Asia, Eastern Europe or South America. Trip.com’s services in the Chinese interface and Asian market are particularly outstanding, and there are often targeted discounts and cashback activities; Kiwi.com is known for its “combination flights”, which can break the restrictions of traditional airline alliances and stitch together different airlines to create extremely cost-effective routes. It is especially suitable for users who are willing to accept the transfer + overnight plan in exchange for price advantages.
4. Google Flights + airline official website: the best partner for accurate search + rights protection
Google Flights is the “information library” in today’s flight search engines. It has no advertising interference, fast update speed, and can also recommend when to buy the most cost-effective according to price trends. After finding the flight you like, jump directly to the airline’s official website to place an order. Not only can you choose seats first and accumulate miles, but you can also enjoy official rights such as free changes and membership upgrades. It is especially recommended for frequent flyers and those who pay attention to after-sales service.
Ⅲ. Route recommendation: Convenient routes to Brussels from all over the world
1. Departing from Asia
Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong are all served by Emirates, Qatar, or Turkish Airlines. You can reach Brussels with one transfer, and the ticket price can be as low as 500 euros during the off-season.
It is recommended to package the machine + wine package from GetYourGuide, which is more convenient for one-stop service.
2. From Europe
Use Omio or Trainline to integrate railways and low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair and EasyJet, and the flexible options are extremely cost-effective depending on the time.
If you depart from London, Madrid, or Copenhagen, it is recommended to use Skiplagged to find hidden city fares.
3. Departing from the Americas
United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Air Canada provide shared flights with Brussels Airlines. Departing from New York, Chicago, and Toronto are mostly direct flights or single transfers.
Expedia is the platform with the best user experience in the Americas, with a clear interface and customizable by language/currency.
Ⅳ. Whose economy class is worth paying extra to upgrade?
During the journey, “Economy Plus” and “Premium Economy” have become the first choice for the middle gear of long-distance flights.
Turkish Airlines: Premium Economy seats have ample extra space, and meals are similar to those in business class
Provide a small window table and leg extension support, suitable for travelers with limited budgets but want to improve comfort.
Lufthansa: Premium Economy includes double luggage allowance and priority boarding channel in business class
Suitable for travelers carrying equipment, musical instruments or photographic equipment, fast boarding and no worries about luggage.
Emirates Airlines: Economy Flex+ tickets can select seats in advance and are flexible in rebooking
Suitable for those whose itinerary may change, and the cost-effectiveness is much higher than the full-price business class.
Ⅴ. Additional experience: Which one is more considerate in terms of in-flight entertainment and service?
Emirates ICE system: rich content of movies, music and documentaries
Multi-language subtitles are provided, and the latest European and American cinema movies are launched simultaneously, which is suitable for entertainment and replenishment on long-distance flights.
Qatar Airways in-flight WiFi: the first 100MB is free and the speed is stable
Suitable for processing emails and uploading social content during the journey, but not suitable for large-capacity downloads.
Brussels Airlines “Flying Lab”: Regularly organizes aerial art workshops
Some flights specially plan themed flights such as “Belgian Chocolate Teaching” and “Aerial Sketching Class”, which are full of fun.
Flying is not only about moving from point A to point B, but also a display of style and details. In Brussels, the intersection of the center of Europe, whether you value cost-effectiveness, seat space, food quality or additional services, you can always find airlines and routes that suit your pace and budget.
Remember to check visas, vaccine policies and baggage allowances before traveling. If you want the entire trip to be smoother, it is recommended to use third-party platforms such as Tiqets to book tickets for local attractions in Brussels, or join airport transfers, food walking groups and other itineraries through Viator to put a perfect end to this flight trip.
