Brussels Airport — Zaventem, Belgium

Brussels Airport, often called simply Zaventem after the municipality northeast of Brussels where it is located, is Belgium's principal international gateway. The airport sits at a modest elevation of 175 feet and operates three runways arranged to handle heavy long-haul and short-haul traffic side by side. Coded BRU, it serves as the main hub for Brussels Airlines and hosts a wide mix of European legacy carriers alongside cargo operators, reflecting Belgium's position at the heart of the EU institutions. The airport connects the capital region to destinations across Europe, Africa, and North America, and its cargo operations rank among the busiest in Europe, handling everything from cut flowers to pharmaceuticals and diamonds bound for Antwerp. A direct rail link places travelers in central Brussels within roughly twenty minutes, making BRU one of the more transit-friendly major airports on the continent. Long-haul connections extend well beyond Europe, reaching into the Middle East, Africa, and North America on a regular basis.