Flight Delayed Brussels Airlines – What Now? Here’s What You Can Do

The frustrating reality of a delayed Brussels Airlines flight

You know the drill. You arrive at the airport with time to spare, grab a coffee, maybe even browse duty-free… and then the announcement hits: your Brussels Airlines flight is delayed. Groans ripple through the terminal as the departure board shifts again. 45 minutes. Then 90. Eventually, hours tick by with little information.

Whether you're traveling for a long-awaited holiday, an important business meeting, or just trying to get home, a delayed flight can seriously throw your plans into chaos. And when it’s Brussels Airlines—Belgium’s flagship carrier—you might expect things to run smoothly.

But delays happen. And when they do, you don’t have to just shrug and move on.

You could be owed money. Real money. Up to €600 per passenger, depending on the length of the delay and the distance of your flight.

Let’s unpack what you can do—and how Trouble Flight can help.

Brussels Airlines – a quick intro

Brussels Airlines is well-known across Europe for its extensive route network, especially in and out of Belgium. Whether you're flying from Brussels to Lisbon, Berlin, or Abidjan, chances are you've boarded one of their flights or considered it.

As a member of the Lufthansa Group and a part of Star Alliance, they generally run a solid operation—but like any airline, they aren’t immune to issues like aircraft problems, crew shortages, strikes, or poor weather.

Still, if you’ve experienced a significant delay, you might be entitled to compensation under European law—regardless of how reputable the airline is.

When is a flight delay eligible for compensation?

According to European Regulation EC261, if your Brussels Airlines flight arrived at your final destination more than 3 hours late, and the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances, you may qualify for compensation.

Let’s break it down in simpler terms:

You’re probably eligible if:

• Your flight departed from an EU airport (or arrived at one on a European airline like Brussels Airlines)

• You arrived at your destination more than 3 hours later than scheduled

• The delay wasn’t due to extreme weather, air traffic control strikes, or similar issues

You’re not eligible if:

• You were informed of the delay far in advance

• The delay was caused by something genuinely outside of the airline’s control (think volcanic ash or terrorism threats)

Still unsure? That’s where the Trouble Flight Compensation Calculator comes in. Pop in your flight number and date—we’ll tell you instantly if it’s worth pursuing.

How much money are we talking about?

Compensation amounts are set by law and depend on the distance of your flight:

• Up to 1,500 km: €250

• 1,500 – 3,500 km: €400

• Over 3,500 km: €600

So yes—if you were flying from Brussels to New York and got delayed more than 4 hours… that’s €600 in your pocket.

Brussels Airport a mess? Here’s what to do

If you're stuck at Brussels Airport with a delayed flight, there are a few things you can do to make life a little easier:

1. Ask for refreshments. After a two-hour delay, you’re entitled to food and drinks. Yes, it’s Brussels Airlines’ job to provide them.

2. Keep your receipts. Bought your own snacks or booked a hotel while waiting? Save every receipt. You might be able to recover those costs.

3. Check alternative airports.
Stuck and desperate to get moving? Consider checking flights from nearby airports like:

• Charleroi (CRL) – mostly low-cost carriers

• Lille (LIL), France – just a short drive away

• Eindhoven (EIN), Netherlands – accessible by train

It might not save your current flight, but it could help with rebooking if your trip is urgent.

Rebooking tips – Brussels Airlines vs other options

If you’re offered a rebooking on another Brussels Airlines flight the next day, but that doesn’t work for you, ask about alternatives. Under EU rules, you don’t have to accept the first option offered.

Want to get home sooner? Ask if they’ll put you on another airline’s flight—even if it's not in the same alliance. You have a right to reach your destination as quickly as possible.

Also, don’t hesitate to check your own options online—sometimes airlines won’t volunteer the best solution unless you ask.

Is your flight delay really Brussels Airlines’ fault?

Sometimes airlines blame everything from “technical checks” to “airspace restrictions” to dodge responsibility. But unless it was an air traffic control issue or truly severe weather, technical problems and crew delays are usually within the airline’s control.

And yes—that means Brussels Airlines is still on the hook.

Trouble Flight has experience digging into flight data, weather patterns, and historical performance to determine who’s really to blame. So even if Brussels Airlines says “it’s not our fault,” you might still be entitled to compensation.

What if your flight was part of a longer journey?

Brussels Airlines is often used as a connecting carrier—say, you fly from London to Brussels, then Brussels to Kigali.

If the final leg of your journey was delayed, and you missed your connection or arrived significantly late, you're still protected. In fact, even if the second flight was operated by a partner airline, you may be able to claim from Brussels Airlines if they issued your ticket.

Just one more reason not to let delays slide.

Can you really claim compensation without a lawyer?

Yes. And no.

Technically, you can submit a claim yourself through Brussels Airlines’ website or customer service. But let’s be honest:

• They might stall

• They might deny your claim based on vague reasons

• You might get lost in paperwork and legalese

That’s why many passengers prefer using Trouble Flight.

We handle everything for you—from sending the first letter to dragging them to court if they don’t cooperate. You only pay if we win. And we know all the tricks airlines use to avoid paying.

So if you don’t want to waste hours chasing a maybe—you don’t have to.

Practical tip: Keep a copy of everything

Even if you don’t decide to file a claim today, keep your boarding pass, confirmation email, and any delay announcements or emails you received.

Take photos of the departure boards. Screenshot any messages from the airline app. These little things can become powerful proof if the airline disputes your claim later.

Delays happen. That doesn’t mean you should lose money.

Whether your Brussels Airlines flight was delayed for 3 hours, 5, or an entire day—don’t just roll your eyes and forget it.

You paid for a service. You deserve either the service delivered on time—or fair compensation.

At Trouble Flight, we’ve helped thousands of passengers across Europe get the money they were legally owed. No fighting with customer support. No confusing legal jargon. Just results.

And we’re ready to help you too.

So next time a delay ruins your plans…
Don’t just sigh. Claim what’s yours.