Airline cancels flights from major UK airport, discards frequent service on popular European route with six weekly trips
In a recent development, Brussels Airlines has announced it will cease direct flights between Birmingham and Brussels from autumn 2025, leaving passengers with a few alternative travel options.
Brussels is renowned for its classic sights like the Grand Place and the Maison du Roi, as well as its culinary delights, which include moules-frites, Belgian waffles, and Belgian chocolate. The city is also known for having one of the best beers in the world, making it a popular destination for British tourists, with approximately 820,000 visiting annually.
Currently, Brussels Airlines is the only carrier connecting Birmingham directly with the Belgian capital. However, from winter 2025, passengers will have to fly to places like Frankfurt and take a connecting flight to Brussels.
For those seeking direct flights, Brussels Airport serves flights from many locations, including possibly KLM from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Brussels Airport (BRU). Alternatively, passengers can opt for one-stop connections via major German hubs Frankfurt or Munich.
From Birmingham to Frankfurt, Lufthansa operates direct flights that take approximately 1 hour 35 minutes. From Frankfurt to Brussels, airlines such as Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines operate direct flights. Using Frankfurt as a connection point is a feasible option, where one could fly Birmingham → Frankfurt and then Frankfurt → Brussels.
Similarly, flights via Munich are likely to be available through Lufthansa connecting flights, though they are not explicitly detailed in the results. Munich is a major hub, making it a likely choice for Lufthansa connections.
In the survey conducted by consumer champions Which?, cities were rated based on factors like food and drink, accommodation, cultural sights, and value for money. Bruges, another Belgian city, was named the best to visit from the UK by train last year, receiving four out of five stars for its food and drink. Bruges scored 85% in the survey, with praise for its chocolate shops and cafes.
For those who prefer to travel by train, a new European train starting in Brussels costs just £99 and goes through seven countries. Taking a train to Bruges from London St Pancras International takes three-and-a-half hours.
Brussels Airlines' spokesperson stated that they constantly review their network and have decided to stop offering Birmingham as a destination from winter 2025. While this may be disappointing news for many, the variety of travel options available ensures that the allure of Brussels remains accessible to British tourists.
A traveler facing the discontinuation of direct flights between Birmingham and Brussels may consider taking a flight from Birmingham to Frankfurt and then a connecting flight to Brussels, as Lufthansa operates direct flights from Frankfurt to Brussels. Alternatively, one might opt for a train journey to Bruges, another Belgian city, which was named the best to visit from the UK by train last year and is accessible via a train starting in Brussels for just £99. Despite the changes in direct flights, the allure of Brussels remains accessible to British tourists due to the variety of travel options still available.
