Upon checking flight status online, you have found out that your Brussels Airlines flight is delayed. At this point, you may be contemplating your next course of action. Should you proceed to the airport as originally planned or would it be wiser to remain at home or hotel? Flight delays can range from a short 30-minute setback to a significant 23-hour delay, potentially leaving you stranded at the airport for an entire day. The question then arises: is it truly necessary to wait at the airport for the entire 23 hours until Brussels Airlines resolves the situation?
In most instances, the response is relatively straightforward.
Should You Wait or Proceed as Planned?
Your Brussels Airlines flight is delayed. What now?
What is your present location? Are you at home or already at the airport?
1. You Are at the Gate, Waiting for Your Flight
You are at the gate, waiting for your flight, when an announcement informs you of a delay.
What is the appropriate course of action in this situation?
Just wait at the gate for subsequent updates regarding your flight’s status.
2. You Haven’t Gone Through Airport Security
If you are presently at the airport and in the process of waiting to clear security when you discover that your flight has been delayed, it is advisable to remain in your current location. Before taking any further steps, it is crucial to verify if there are any updates concerning the check-in time for your flight. If the check-in time has been postponed, it is advisable to refrain from proceeding through security.
Wait until additional information is provided before proceeding through security.
Have you already completed online check-in?
Regardless, it is still recommended to wait. Refrain from proceeding until the check-in process commences.
3. You Are at Home or Hotel
Determine if there has been any adjustment to the check-in schedule.
You can accomplish this by contacting Brussels Airlines directly or calling the airport information desk.
If the check-in time has been postponed, there is no need to rush to the airport right away. You can comfortably wait at your hotel or home. However, if the check-in time remains unchanged, it is advisable to adhere to your original plans and proceed to the airport as initially scheduled.
If the check-in time is delayed, remain at your residence or hotel.
If the check-in time remains unaffected, follow your original itinerary and proceed to the airport as planned.
How to Check Brussels Airlines Flight Status Online?
How to find out if your Brussels Airlines flight is delayed?
Here are some options to check your flight status online:
- The website of the airport from where your flight is departing;
- Your airline’s website (brusselsairlines.com in this case);
- Flight trackers like Flightradar24.
To ensure a smoother travel experience, it is recommended to verify your flight’s status before making your way to the airport, especially for early morning flights. It can be quite inconvenient to arrive at the airport at 5 am only to discover that your flight has encountered a delay or cancellation, subsequently necessitating a prolonged wait. To avoid the inconvenience of getting up excessively early, it is advisable to check the flight status immediately after waking up.
Additionally, it is recommended to reconfirm the status once more just before departing from your residence or hotel to ensure there are no unforeseen last-minute alterations.
Usually travellers find out about the delay:
- By SMS or email notifying of the delay;
- When checking the flight status online;
- Already at the airport, or even at the gate.
What if You Are at Risk of Missing Your Connecting Flight?
Your first Brussels Airlines flight is delayed, but you have a connecting flight.
There’s no need to worry if you miss your connection. Brussels Airlines will make arrangements for a new flight without any additional cost to you. You won’t have to go through the hassle of finding a new flight on your own. Simply approach the Brussels Airlines staff at the airport for assistance in the event that you miss your connecting flight.
However, if you have a self-transfer flight, the responsibility of missing your connection falls on you, and you will need to purchase a new flight. Nevertheless, if your Brussels Airlines flight encounters a delay or gets canceled, depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible for flight delay compensation or flight cancellation compensation provided by Brussels Airlines.
Right to Care from Brussels Airlines
Passengers who find themselves waiting at the airport due to a flight delay, flight cancellation, or denied boarding are entitled to specific benefits known as the “right to care.”
In the case of a relatively brief delay lasting 3 hours or more during daytime hours, Brussels Airlines is obligated to offer complimentary food and beverages, along with two means of communication (such as phone calls, emails, or faxes), typically facilitated through coupons.
In the event of an overnight delay, Brussels Airlines is mandated to provide free hotel accommodation, transportation to and from the airport, as well as one or two meals, all at no expense to the passenger.
If you have not received any of these entitled benefits, reach out to Brussels Airlines.
Could You Be Entitled to Brussels Airlines Flight Delay Compensation?
Absolutely, you could be eligible for Brussels Airlines flight delay compensation.
If you’ve encountered a delay of more than three hours, or if your flight has been cancelled without at least 14 days’ notice, you may qualify for a compensation of up to 600 euros under EU law, barring extraordinary circumstances.
This right is irrespective of the ticket price and the nationality.
Don’t forget to retain your boarding pass and other travel documents, as they may be required when filing for compensation. If you’re uncertain about the process, there are services that can help you claim your compensation from Brussels Airlines – our partners provide such services.
Fill in the form on this website to make a claim with our partners.
Can You Get Flight Delay Compensation in Case of a Brussels Airlines Strike?
If your Brussels Airlines flight is delayed or cancelled due to a strike, two scenarios can unfold – it’s either a strike of Brussels Airlines personnel or it’s a different kind of strike.
Typically, if the strike is initiated by airport staff, air traffic control, or if it’s any labor strike not directly involving Brussels Airlines, you will not qualify for compensation. This is recognized as an extraordinary circumstance, with airlines not generally held responsible.
On the other hand, if the strike involves Brussels Airlines’ own staff, the airline is likely required to compensate passengers. Always review the specific circumstances surrounding your delay or cancellation, and verify any information provided by the airline.
Read more: Brussels Airlines Strike Compensation
Can You Get Delay Compensation in Case of Technical Problems with the Airplane?
Yes, if your Brussels Airlines flight is delayed due to technical issues with the aircraft, you could be eligible for flight delay compensation.
Mostly, these issues are not classified as extraordinary circumstances.
There might, however, be exceptions in certain cases, such as if the technical problems were triggered by hidden manufacturing defects.
What is your experience with Brussels Airlines flight delays? Have you ever experienced a flight delay with Brussels Airlines? How did the airline resolve the situation?
Featured photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels