Brussels Airport – Live Departures
Checking in at Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport features two passenger terminals, Pier A and Pier B, which are connected by a central terminal building. Hundreds of thousands of flights pass through the terminal each year, carrying more than 25 million passengers. When arriving at the airport in Brussels for departures, you can refer to one of the many departure boards at the entrance to the terminal to find your airline’s check-in counter. Some airlines also offer self-check-in kiosks and bag drop services to save you time.
Alternatively, you can choose to check in online; online check-in typically opens up 24-48 hours ahead of your flight’s departure, depending on the airline. If you’re travelling light and don’t need to check in any baggage, you can head straight to the security screening area with your digital boarding pass.
Main Terminal
Check-in counters are located on the Departures Floor (Level 3) of the terminal building.
When to arrive at Brussels Airport?
There are two main flight categories for Brussels Airport destinations; Schengen and non-Schengen. Depending which category you fall into will determine how much time you should allow at the airport.
If your departure from Brussels Airport is from Gate A, to a country within the Schengen region, you should allow 2 hours at the airport to check-in and pass through security. If your flight is to a country outside the Schengen area, from Gate B or T, you should allow 3 hours for your Brussels Airport departure as you’ll need to pass through security as well as immigration.
What’s next?
Following check-in, all departures from Brussels Airport will need to pass through a security screening. To ensure a smooth and stress-free experience, we recommend preparing your hand luggage before entering the security area. Any sharp objects and liquids, gels and creams over 100 mL should be left at home or packed in your checked-in baggage. Liquids, gels and creams less than 100 ml need to be placed in a clear plastic bag which can be picked up for free at the security entrance. You should also remove any electronic devices from their case and place them in a tray where they are visible, along with belts and loose items from your pockets such as coins and your phone.
How long it takes to get through security is the luck of the draw. You may breeze through in a matter of minutes or spend an hour waiting in line, especially during peak travel periods. If you want to skip the line, you can book the Fast Lane option online or at the security entrance and spend more time shopping or relaxing at an airport lounge instead.
For non-Schengen flights, you’ll then need to pass through immigration. If you’re departing from Gate B, hold an electronic passport and you’re from the EU, UK, USA or Canada, you can use the eGates to bypass any passport control queues.
What to do in Departures at Brussels Airport?
Brussels Airport departure gates are equipped with all the modern facilities needed for a safe and comfortable flight. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes available to suit everyone’s tastes, you can enjoy duty-free shopping from high-end brands, and you can prepare for your arrival with currency exchange counters and travel shops. Be sure to check your arrival country’s tax rules around duty-free purchases.
Business and First class passengers, as well as certain frequent flyer members, receive complimentary lounge access while all other passengers can purchase a pass so they can relax and enjoy a range of premium services such as complimentary food and beverages, showers, nap pods and comfortable seating areas.
*To see the full list of what is available in each Gate area, you can refer to our Brussels Airport Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early do you need to get to Brussels Airport before a flight?
The recommended arrival times for departures from Brussels Airport are at least 2 hours before your scheduled Schengen flight and 3 hours for non-Schengen flights.