Brussels Airlines, Belgium’s flag carrier and a Lufthansa Group member, offers a cancellation policy shaped by fare type, booking channel, and regulations like EU 261/2004 and U.S. Department of Transportation rules. Below is a concise overview based on the most reliable information from Brussels Airlines’ official website and other sources.
24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation:
- You can cancel any Brussels Airlines flight within 24 hours of booking for a full refund without penalty, provided the first flight in your itinerary departs at least 7 days (168 hours) later. This applies to all fare types (e.g., Economy Light, Classic, Flex, Business) and bookings made directly through brusselsairlines.com, the mobile app, or Service Centre (+1-877-240-6770 globally, +1-877-240-6770 in the U.S.). Airline fees, optional payment charges, and travel insurance are non-refundable.
- Third-party bookings (e.g., Expedia, Traveloka) are subject to the agency’s policies, which may differ.
Non-Refundable Tickets (e.g., Economy Light, Classic):
- After the 24-hour window, non-refundable tickets can be canceled, but only taxes and fees are refunded after a cancellation fee:
- Economy Light/Classic: €70–€120 for international flights, €50 for domestic, depending on route and timing. If the fee exceeds the basic fare plus international surcharge, only the latter is charged.
- Cancellations via Service Centre, social media, or offline channels incur a €40 administration fee per ticket.
- No travel credits are issued for non-refundable fares unless the airline cancels the flight. Cancellations within 6 days to 1 hour before departure may cost €119 or more.
- Combining non-refundable and refundable fares in one itinerary makes the entire ticket non-refundable.
Refundable Tickets (e.g., Economy Flex, Business):
- Refundable fares can be canceled before departure with a €50–€100 fee (depending on fare and route), with the balance refunded to the original payment method or issued as a voucher valid for 1 year. Business Class tickets may refund the fare difference between the paid and applicable one-way fare.
- Refunds take 7–30 business days, depending on the payment method.
Flight Cancellations by Brussels Airlines:
- If Brussels Airlines cancels a flight, delays it significantly (e.g., 2+ hours for short-haul, 4+ hours for long-haul), or denies boarding due to overbooking, passengers can choose:
- A full refund, including taxes, fees, and add-ons (e.g., baggage, seat selection), to the original payment method, processed automatically if you reject rebooking or don’t respond to offers.
- Rebooking on the next available flight at no cost, in the same travel class, via the Brussels Airlines Chat Assistant or Service Centre.
- For delays of 2+ hours, passengers receive meal vouchers; for overnight delays, hotel accommodations and transport are provided.
- U.S. routes qualify for full refunds under DOT rules but not EC 261/2004 compensation
No-Show Policy:
- Failing to cancel before departure forfe construction of the ticket value for non-refundable fares, with only taxes refundable after fees. Refundable fares may qualify for a refund, minus fees. Return or onward flights may be canceled if you no-show without informing BA in advance via chat, social media, or phone.
Special Circumstances:
- Refunds or fee waivers are available for cancellations due to a passenger’s or immediate family member’s death or serious illness, with documentation (e.g., death or medical certificate). Contact the Service Centre for review.
- For Israel bookings, new immigrants, seniors (65+), or disabled passengers can cancel within 4 months of purchase or 7 days before the trip, with a fee of 5% or NIS 100 (whichever is lower), per Israel’s Consumer Protection Law.
How to Cancel:
- Airport: Cancel at a Brussels Airlines ticket counter or kiosk ($35–€40 fee).
- Travel Agencies: Third-party bookings must be canceled through the agency, which may impose additional fees. BA cannot process these directly.
- Group bookings require contacting the group bookings department.
- Confirmation is sent via email. Refunds take 7–30 days; vouchers are valid for 1 year.
Key Notes:
- Always check fare rules at booking. Economy Light/Classic fares are restrictive; Flex/Business fares offer flexibility.
- Book directly via brusselsairlines.com to leverage the 24-hour policy and avoid third-party fees.
- EC 261/2004 provides strong protections for EU/UK flights, but U.S. routes rely on DOT refund rules.
- For EC 261/2004 claims, use services like AirAdvisor or EUclaim for up to €600 compensation.
