This week Singapore Airlines has returned to Brussels with passenger flights for the first time in over 20 years, offering a four times weekly non-stop Airbus A350 service on a year-round basis, making the ‘EU capital’ the carrier’s 13th European destination.
With SIA’s flights departing from the non-Schengen B gates at Brussels Airport, the airline has confirmed to Mainly Miles that it will be directing all of its lounge-eligible passengers to the Diamond Lounge there, a third-party contract facility used by practically all airlines departing from this pier.
If you’re willing to take a little detour though, a much better option is available in the form of The Loft, a flagship lounge by home base Star Alliance carrier Brussels Airlines, in the Schengen A gates section.
The Diamond Lounge
First up, there’s no rush to get to the airport early to visit the Diamond Lounge Singapore Airlines is using as a contract facility at Brussels Airport’s B gates.
It’s fine, but nothing special, as this recent review highlights.
Indeed the whole B gates section of Brussels Airport is drab and dreary in our view, quite a contrast from the Schengen A gates which seem to get all the revamps and more shops and amenities.
Facilities at the Diamond lounge include complimentary food and beverages, including wine, spirits and liquors, plus Wi-Fi, restrooms and shower facilities.
This lounge is located on level 4 of the terminal after security control, near gate B1. It is open from 5am to 10pm each day.
The main benefit for this lounge is proximity to the SIA departure gate in the B pier, but if that doesn’t bother you so much… read on.
Better option: The Loft
Brussels Airport is the main hub for Star Alliance carrier Brussels Airlines, and so it’s no surprise that here you’ll find the carrier’s flagship lounge – The Loft.
This facility in Terminal A gets much better reviews in comparison.
Though it first opened in October 2014, a more recent renovation was undertaken in collaboration with luxury car company Lexus, and while we sadly haven’t been in person – photos certainly showcase its impressive transformation.
Notably, there’s a dedicated space for HON Circle members featuring amenities such as a spa, private nap rooms, and a live kitchen, adding to the allure of the space.
Singapore Airlines passengers are entitled to use The Loft lounge as well.
This would be our recommendation, with the extended award-winning alternative boasting a far more luxurious fit-out, including better shower facilities.
The Loft is open from 5.30am to 8.30pm each day, and with SIA’s new flight going wheels-up from Brussels at 12.10pm, check in is likely available from around 9am on days the service operates.
That’s perfect timing for a couple of hours in The Loft prior to departure, but how do you get to Terminal A in the first place to achieve this?
Luckily it’s not too complicated.
There is a central security area for all passengers (Schengen and non-Schengen) at Brussels Airport, so you can pass between the airside area in both Terminal A and Terminal B without having to re-clear security.
Star Alliance travellers at Brussels airport get Gold Track benefits, including Singapore Airlines Business Class and Star Gold members (KFEG and above).
This means you should be progressing through security quickly, via these exclusive lanes.
Once you clear security, instead of turning right to immigration control and the B gates, take a left towards the A gates (Schengen zone departures).
(click to enlarge)
You are actually already in the Schengen zone as a departing passenger from Brussels, so you aren’t doing anything scary here. Think of it as remaining within the domestic area of an airport.
You’ll then find The Loft near Gate A42, at the base of the A pier.
(Photo: Brussels Airlines)
After your visit, you’ll have to walk back to Terminal B for your Singapore Airlines departure, a journey that takes around 10 minutes.
You will also have to go through a passport check before you leave the Schengen zone and enter Terminal B for your Singapore Airlines flight. This is quite easy, but do allow a further 10 minutes for that, in case there is a queue.
Overall it’s a small amount of hassle to have a far superior pre-flight experience, so make the most of your Star Alliance Gold status or Singapore Airlines Business Class ticket and be sure to make a beeline for The Loft after security next time you take this flight.
The schedule
Here’s the flight schedule for SIA’s newly reinstated Brussels route.
Singapore Brussels
5 Apr 2024 – 25 Oct 2024
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
 |
SQ304 A350 LH |
||||||||
| SIN 23:55 |
BRU 07:20* |
||||||||
| Duration: 13:25 | |||||||||
* Next day
Brussels Singapore
6 Apr 2024 – 26 Oct 2024
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
SQ303 A350 LH |
||||||||
| BRU 12:10 |
SIN 06:55* |
||||||||
| Duration: 12:45 | |||||||||
* Next day
Timings alter slightly for the northern winter season from late October 2024, as show below.
Singapore Brussels
27 Oct 2024 – 28 Mar 2025
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
SQ304 A350 LH |
||||||||
| SIN 23:55 |
BRU 06:50* |
||||||||
| Duration: 13:55 | |||||||||
* Next day
Brussels Singapore
28 Oct 2024 – 29 Mar 2025
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
SQ303 A350 LH |
||||||||
| BRU 11:20 |
SIN 06:55* |
||||||||
| Duration: 12:35 | |||||||||
* Next day
Brussels redemption rates
These are the KrisFlyer miles needed for the Singapore – Brussels route.
| KrisFlyer Redemption (one-way) Singapore ⇄ Brussels |
||
| Saver | Advantage | |
| Economy | 42,000 | 70,000 |
| Premium Economy | 71,000 | n/a |
| Business | 103,500 | 123,000 |
Award seats have even appeared on the monthly Spontaneous Escapes deal lately, potentially allowing you to redeem this route in Business Class for only 72,450 KrisFlyer miles each way, so do keep an eye out for further offers like this a demand on the newly reinstated route takes time to ‘bed in’.
Summary
Singapore Airlines has restarted regular passenger flights to Brussels after a two-decade hiatus (and a false start due to COVID-19), with the city now the carrier’s 13th European destination.
Unfortunately the non-Schengen section of Brussels Airport leaves much to be desired – it’s dull and dreary, and so is its only lounge offering.
In contrast, the A gates in the Schengen area are far nicer. This is where lounge-eligible Singapore Airlines passengers can access The Loft by Brussels Airlines before embarking on the lengthy 12-hour flight to the Lion City.
Getting there isn’t too complicated, just take a left after security instead of a right. The only consideration is to allocate additional time for reaching the departure gate when it comes time for boarding, as it involves a longer walk and a passport check when transitioning from the A gates to the B gates.
(Cover Photo: Brussels Airlines)
Passport control in B gates took 45 mins and no fast track from KF Gold or J class. Not worth the detour unless no checked bags or else you’re cutting it very fine.
I think you are referring to arrival passport control here. That’s not relevant when moving from A gates to B gates in the departures area at BRU – only a border check needs to be completed. It’s quite quick and checked bags have no relevance.
I believe AN was referring to departure immigration before you can enter B gates area.
When I moved from The Loft to Diamond Lounge today, immigration took a whopping 50 mins! Some people actually had to flag one of the attendants to jump the queue because their flights were being called (Etihad, etc.)
On the non EU side, there were initially only 2 counters open, then 1 person disappeared after 20 mins leaving just 1 person to serve the ever increasing queue, eventually another 20 mins later another staff took over.
Even the EU side had just 2 persons at immigration… the situation was so bad that when a new person entered to open another booth, everyone burst into (sarcastic) rapturous applause!
Overall it’s NOT worth the hassle and stress of going to The Loft ant A gates, and back again to board the SQ flight from B gates.
I just departed BRU on the SQ flight and visited both The Loft at A gates, and Diamond Lounge at B Gates.
The Loft is airy and more spacious than Diamond Lounge. You feel like you can breathe more. Whereas Diamond Lounge is crowded and noisy.
Catering at both lounges is downright bad. In fact, The Loft is worse than Diamond Lounge prior to the SQ flight, where they only serve breakfast items.
The Loft has some weird overwhelmingly smelly scrambled eggs (they must come from the same tetra pack as those served at the BA lounges in UK) whereas Diamond Lounge has omelette (that presumably came from the same tetra pack as well). Same croissants, danish, bread selection at both lounges. Nothing insipiring at all. And both ran out of food before the SQ flight was even called.