Brussels Airlines Expands Language Support with 10 African Languages Onboard

Brussels Airlines (SN) has introduced local language announcements on flights across its African network, a move the airline says reinforces its commitment to closer engagement with passengers.

Since April 1, 2025, take-off and landing messages are delivered in one of ten selected languages, creating a more familiar and culturally connected onboard experience.

In a statement, the airline shared: “It adds a recognisable element to the onboard experience, creating a connection from the moment passengers board until they reach their destination.“

The initiative reflects Brussels Airlines’ long-standing relationship with the continent, where it operates across 17 African destinations.

Ten Languages

The selected languages—Fon (Benin), Kirundi (Burundi), Lingala (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Twi (Ghana), Swahili (Kenya), Kinyarwanda (Rwanda), Wolof (Senegal), Krio (Sierra Leone), Mina (Togo), and Luganda (Uganda)—were chosen based on their prominence in the airline’s African routes, either as widely spoken languages or nationally recognised dialects.

For the airline, the African continent is more than just a destination; it is part of its identity, reflecting the Belgian carrier’s essential role in connecting people, cultures, and economies.

The airline also revealed that the announcements were recorded by its own employees, adding a personal touch to the onboard atmosphere.

“This language initiative is a small but meaningful gesture of its deep-rooted commitment and enduring relationship with the continent,” Brussels Airlines stated.

By integrating widely spoken and official languages, the airline aims to make each flight feel more connected to the destinations it serves.