Airline profile · Europe

Brussels Airlines

BelgiumFull-service carrierStar Alliance memberSince 2002

SNIATA code
BELICAO code

Brussels Airlines (IATA SN, ICAO BEL) is Belgium's home carrier and a Lufthansa Group network airline based at Brussels Airport. It serves more than 90 destinations, including 18 in sub-Saharan Africa, and carried 9.2 million passengers in 2025 with a fleet of 46 to 47 aircraft. It joined Star Alliance in December 2009.

Founded
2002
Headquarters
Brussels Airport, Zaventem, Belgium
Country
Belgium
Main hubs
Brussels Airport (BRU)
Airline type
Full-service carrier
Alliance
Star Alliance
Loyalty
Miles & More
Parent
Lufthansa Group (Deutsche Lufthansa AG)
Ownership
Wholly owned by Deutsche Lufthansa AG and part of the Lufthansa Group's network airlines.
Callsign
BEELINE
Website
brusselsairlines.com

How travel agents book Brussels Airlines

GDS distribution

Brussels Airlines content is available through the GDSs, but EDIFACT GDS tickets carry the Lufthansa Group Distribution Cost Charge (DCC). From 1 January 2026 it was EUR 17.50 to 18.00 via Amadeus, EUR 22.00 to 22.50 via Sabre and EUR 23 via Travelport, with the Amadeus rate rising to EUR 19 (USD 22) from 5 May 2026.

NDC

Brussels Airlines sells NDC content through the Lufthansa Group NDC programme. Travelport launched Lufthansa Group NDC content, including Brussels Airlines, on Travelport+ in December 2023.

Direct channels

Direct channels include brusselsairlines.com and the airline's app, and agencies can book through Lufthansa Group NDC connections and agent channels.

Notes for travel agents

The DCC applies to Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian and Air Dolomiti tickets issued over EDIFACT. NDC and direct channels avoid it or carry a lower charge, which matters for high-volume Africa and Europe ticketing.

On ReservationHub

ReservationHub gives agencies GDS content from Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport plus NDC and low-cost channels in one platform. See the full list on our integrations page.

History of Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines traces its roots to the collapse of Sabena, Belgium's former national airline, in 2001. SN Brussels Airlines was set up in 2002 on the base of Sabena's regional subsidiary DAT, and in 2006 it agreed to merge with the low-cost airline Virgin Express. The combined company began flying as Brussels Airlines in March 2007.

The Lufthansa Group became involved soon afterwards, taking a minority stake approved in 2009 and later full ownership. Brussels Airlines joined Star Alliance in December 2009 and uses the group's Miles & More programme.

Africa has been a core market throughout. In February 2025 Brussels Airlines marked 100 years of Belgian flights to Africa, dating from the first Brussels to Kinshasa flight in 1925. Its long-haul fleet of Airbus A330s serves sub-Saharan Africa and North America, while new A320neos are replacing older A319s and A320s in Europe; eight were delivered between November 2023 and June 2026.

Milestones

  1. 2002SN Brussels Airlines formed after Sabena's bankruptcy.
  2. 2007Began operating as Brussels Airlines in March after merging with Virgin Express.
  3. 2009Joined Star Alliance in December; Lufthansa's minority stake approved.
  4. 2023First Airbus A320neo delivered in November.
  5. 2025Marked 100 years of Belgian flights to Africa; eleventh A330 added in April.
  6. 2026Eighth A320neo delivered by June; record summer quarter result.

Fleet

Airbus A319 Airbus A320 Airbus A320neo Airbus A330

Aircraft types in service as of 2025

At 31 December 2025 Brussels Airlines had 47 aircraft: 14 A319s, 16 A320s, six A320neos and 11 A330s. The eleventh A330 arrived in April 2025, mainly for Africa routes. The airline said it had received eight new A320neos between November 2023 and June 2026, and the Lufthansa Group planned 13 A320neos for it by the end of 2028. Its own press material gave a fleet of 46 aircraft in November 2026.

Network and hubs

Brussels Airport is the airline's only hub. From there it serves more than 90 destinations, including 18 in sub-Saharan Africa, plus Europe and North America. In 2026 it added Nordic routes to Evenes, Kemi and Kittilä and announced Cairo for summer 2027.

In 2025 Brussels Airlines carried 9.2 million passengers on 68,540 flights. In the July to September 2026 quarter it carried 2.9 million passengers and reported a record adjusted EBIT of EUR 84 million. Its flights connect with the Lufthansa Group hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna and Rome.

Brussels Airlines: frequently asked questions

What are Brussels Airlines codes?

Brussels Airlines uses the IATA code SN and the ICAO code BEL, with the radio callsign BEELINE. Flights appear under SN in GDS displays and on tickets, including codeshares with other Lufthansa Group airlines.

Is Brussels Airlines part of Lufthansa?

Yes. Brussels Airlines is wholly owned by Deutsche Lufthansa AG and is one of the Lufthansa Group's network airlines, alongside Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian and ITA Airways. It uses Miles & More and the group's distribution channels.

Does Brussels Airlines charge a GDS fee?

Yes. Brussels Airlines tickets issued through EDIFACT GDS channels carry the Lufthansa Group Distribution Cost Charge. From 1 January 2026 it was up to EUR 18 via Amadeus, up to EUR 22.50 via Sabre and EUR 23 via Travelport, with the Amadeus rate rising to EUR 19 on 5 May 2026.

How many African destinations does Brussels Airlines serve?

Brussels Airlines serves 18 destinations in sub-Saharan Africa from its Brussels hub, mostly with Airbus A330s. In February 2025 it marked 100 years of Belgian flights to Africa, which began with a Brussels to Kinshasa flight in 1925.

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Sources

  1. Lufthansa Group — Annual Report 2025, Brussels Airlines segment
  2. Lufthansa Group — Annual Report 2025, Fleet
  3. Lufthansa Group — Company portrait
  4. Brussels Airlines — Press room
  5. Brussels Airlines — Record results in summer (November 2026)
  6. Star Alliance — Brussels Airlines member profile
  7. Star Alliance — History
  8. Travelport — Retail-ready NDC for Lufthansa Group airlines on Travelport+ (December 2023)
  9. Travel Market Report — Lufthansa Group hikes GDS booking fee (December 2025)
  10. Travel Market Report — Lufthansa Group to raise GDS surcharge again in May (April 2026)
  11. IATA — Airline code search (Brussels)
  12. FAA — JO 7340.2 Contractions, ICAO aircraft operator designators

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