Brussels Airlines invests in onboard improvements and new rail link to enhance business travel connectivity

4 Mar

Brussels Airlines has announced a series of investments aimed at improving the passenger experience across all cabins while also strengthening connectivity to its network through a new high-speed rail partnership linking Cologne and Brussels Airport.

For UK-based business travellers, these developments are particularly relevant because they enhance both the comfort of the onboard experience and the ease of reaching Brussels Airlines’ global network, which serves more than 90 destinations worldwide and provides strong connections to Europe, Africa and beyond via Brussels Airport.

Brussels Airlines is investing in upgrades to its onboard product across both short-haul and long-haul services, with the most significant enhancements focused on Premium Economy, although improvements will be introduced across all travel classes.

These improvements form part of a broader effort by the airline to elevate the overall passenger experience and ensure that travellers benefit from greater comfort and enhanced service on board. Brussels Airlines has previously confirmed that product enhancements are being introduced across long-haul flights, including improvements to service concepts and onboard offerings.

In parallel with these onboard upgrades, Brussels Airlines has also announced a new intermodal partnership with German rail operator Deutsche Bahn that will connect Cologne directly with Brussels Airport via high-speed train from September 2026.

The new service will take approximately two hours between Cologne and Brussels Airport and will call at Aachen, Liège and Leuven before continuing to Antwerp, providing convenient access to the airport’s network of more than 180 direct destinations.

The rail connection will operate as a codeshare with Brussels Airlines, meaning the train service will carry a Brussels Airlines flight number and can be booked through the airline’s usual sales channels, including travel agents and the airline’s website.

Passengers travelling on the rail–air combination will benefit from a single booking for their entire journey, guaranteed connections in the event of delays and the ability to earn miles through the Miles & More loyalty programme.

Dieter Vranckx of Lufthansa Group said,

“The continued expansion of our cooperation with Deutsche Bahn is a key pillar of the Lufthansa Group’s intermodal strategy, bringing air and rail even closer together for our customers.”

Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, said the partnership will improve access to the airport’s extensive route network and help passengers travel “more efficiently and sustainably” when connecting to global destinations.

Brussels Airlines is the home carrier of Belgium and part of the Lufthansa Group, employing more than 3,500 people and operating a fleet of 46 aircraft while connecting Brussels Airport with over 90 destinations, including an extensive network across sub-Saharan Africa.

Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management, said:

“For UK-based business travellers, any improvement in connectivity and onboard comfort makes a real difference to the overall business travel experience. Enhancements to the inflight product alongside stronger air-rail connections into Brussels Airport will give travellers more flexibility when planning international business travel and accessing Brussels Airlines’ wider global network.”

If you would like further information about how these developments may affect your business travel plans, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.