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Best Airlines to Fly to Spain

Best Airlines to Fly to Spain
Latest posts by Candis Pope (see all)

Spain is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I absolutely love it! The people are nice, and the culture is rich. That’s why I make sure that I fly with a good air carrier when I travel to Spain. I like to feel relaxed once I get into the country. However, that doesn’t happen when you fly with an airline that has lost your luggage or provided bad customer service. There are a handful of air carriers that I’ve used to fly to Spain that really impressed me. In my opinion, they’re the best airlines to fly to Spain. 

In the content below, I’ll break down their pros and cons and give you some expert tips on making your trip to Spain easier. If you’re curious to learn more, let’s get started.

My Favorite Airline for Flying to Spain

My absolute favorite airline to fly to Spain with is Qatar Airways. The staff is so friendly, and I love how assessable the airline is. There are so many destinations around the world that Qatar flies from. Not to mention, their baggage allowance is incredible. Furthermore, I’m always comfortable when I fly with them because their seating is spacious and relaxing. I really like Qatar!

My Top Two Picks Up Front 

As I mentioned above, I really enjoy flying with Qatar Airways. But the next runner-up is American Airlines. They’re a reliable air carrier that I trust. When I’m flying internationally, I know that I can rely on them to get me to my destination with little hassle. With every flight that I’ve taken with American Airlines, they’ve been professional, and my flight experience was pleasurable.

My Tips for Flying to Spain

Choose Your Travel Dates Wisely

The peak tourist season in Spain runs from June to August. During this time, hotels and flights are often fully booked and prices are at their highest. If you’re looking to save money, consider traveling during the shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October. I always try to pick a good time of year for Spain. It’s a popular destination and the airport crowds can feel overwhelming. I research the Spanish holidays and check out the times of the year when surrounding European countries are on school breaks. Understanding this information allows you to get cheaper flights and avoid super busy airports.

Consider Alternative Airports

Barcelona Spain Airport

Spain has multiple airports, so consider flying to an airport that’s less popular. It’s sometimes cheaper to do so. I only try this trick when I’m flying throughout Spain. If I’m coming in from another country, I’ll generally go to Barcelona or Madrid first. It just depends on my itinerary and which city I’m trying to visit. I suggest that you play around with the flight routes to see if you can save money. But of course, you don’t want to fly into a city that’s far away from the region that you want to go to. It’ll end up costing you more time and money down the line.

Compare Flight Prices

Don’t just book the first flight you find. Use a flight search engine like Skyscanner or Google Flights to compare prices and find the best deal. Trust me, I’ve overlooked airfare deals by booking the first flight I saw. Generally, flights to Spain are about the same price—on the surface. Dig around and search multiple airlines, then try different dates and airports. If you don’t mind taking the time out to search for a good deal, it’s worth the effort.

How I Selected the Airlines Below

Extensive Flight Network

One thing I like about the airlines that I listed is that they have an extensive flight network. If I’m in the United States, I can fly on Qatar Airways, Iberia, and of course, American Airlines. But even when I’m in other countries, they’re operating in many cities around the world. That makes it easy for me to fly to Spain from other regions with an air carrier that I enjoy.

Professionalism

I do not like flying with airlines that are unprofessional. I look for friendly in-flight staff, as well as helpful customer service. From my experience, all of these airlines have been professional. When I’ve had any type of issue, they handled it accordingly. When I dedicate my loyalty to a certain air carrier, I expect to get good service.

Luggage Safety

I pack sportswear and comfortable clothing for certain places that I travel to. However, Spain is such a beautiful place that I usually pack outfits that are picturesque. Therefore, I do not like flying with an airline that’ll lose my bags. When I flew with the airlines below, my luggage always arrived at my destination. This is a huge deal to me because lost luggage prevents you from having your belongings, and it’s an extra layer of hassle that takes time away from your vacation.

My Product Recommendations

Iberia Airlines

Iberia Airlines Web Photo

Iberia is the flag carrier airline of Spain, based in Madrid. It is the largest airline in Spain and one of the oldest airlines in the world, having been founded in 1927. Iberia operates an extensive network of domestic and international routes, with over 90 destinations in 40 countries. The airline has a strong presence in Europe, Latin America, and Africa, and is a member of the Oneworld Alliance.

Iberia is generally considered a good airline to fly to Spain. Their baggage allowance includes one free checked bag,  depending on the destination and class that you’re flying. Luggage shouldn’t be more than 158cm and the weight shouldn’t surpass 23kg, unless you’re willing to pay an additional fee.

Iberia also offers free snacks and drinks on most flights, which is a nice perk.

Pros

Free Checked Bag

I appreciate that Iberia offers free checked bags. When I’m flying from the USA, I get to check my bag for free. This is an advantage because it means I don’t have to worry about packing everything into a carry-on.

Good Food and Drinks

I was surprised that the food was good, but I really enjoyed the meals and drinks on my Iberia flight. This made the flying experience much more enjoyable.

Extensive Flight Network

One thing that I really like about Iberia Airlines is its extensive flight network. Some European airlines are only available in Europe, but not Iberia. Not only do they fly out of North America, but they fly out of several cities. I don’t have to go to New York to catch a flight with them. They’re in other cities across the country like Charlotte, Miami, New Orleans, Houston, and more!

Iberia Airlines Web Airplane Photo

Cons

Expensive

Iberia is by no means a budget airline. They are a bit expensive. I’ve been able to find flight deals on other airlines for a lower cost.

Long Layovers

Depending on your destination, you may have a long layover. My flight from Miami to Madrid was about 9 hours, and then I had an extensive layover in between. This isn’t something you’ll experience all of the time, but it’s a possibility. It’s frustrating to have a long layover when your flight should only be a few hours.

Air Europa

Air Europa Web Photo

Air Europa is one of the low-cost options that I like to use to fly to Spain. They have several flights to Madrid and Barcelona from the USA. Air Europa is a good option if you’re looking for a cheap flight.

Their baggage allowance includes one free checked bag,  depending on the destination and class that you’re flying. Luggage shouldn’t be more than 158cm and the weight shouldn’t surpass 23kg—unless you’re willing to pay an additional fee.

Air Europa also offers meals and drinks on most flights, and they have a variety of choices for passengers to select from.

Pros

Inexpensive

One of the reasons I like Air Europa is because they’re a low-cost airline. I’ve been able to find flight deals for as low as $500. This is a great option if you’re looking to save money on your flight. Plus, the low prices come in handy when I’m country hopping through Europe.

Good Food and Drink Options

I’m always pleasantly surprised by the food and drink options on Air Europa. There are a variety of choices, and the quality is good. I’m never left feeling hungry or disappointed with the food selection on my flights.

Air Europa Airplane Photo Wiki

Cons

Long Layovers

Like Iberia, Air Europa also has the potential for long layovers. I’ve had layovers that have been upwards of 12 hours. This is frustrating, especially if I’m only flying for a few hours. But of course, I’ve only encountered this on certain occasions, and you can definitely find Air Europa flights with no layovers or short layovers.

Inexperienced Staff

I’ve found that the staff on Air Europa flights are inexperienced. To be clear, I haven’t experienced this on every flight, with every flight attendant. However, there were a couple of flights where the staff felt like they were new to the job. This made the flying experience less enjoyable, but I’m a pretty understanding person.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways is one of the best airlines to fly to Spain. They offer flights to Madrid and Barcelona from several US cities. One thing I really like about Qatar Airways is its baggage allowance. You’re allowed two free checked bags for First Class and Business Class, as long as they’re under 50lbs each. Economy only gets one free checked bag, but I can appreciate that it’s no charge for it.

There are a variety of food and drink options on Qatar Airways flights. They have both Western and Eastern food options, so there’s something for everyone. 

Pros

Great Baggage Allowance

I really appreciate that Qatar Airways offers two free checked bags for First Class and Business Class passengers. This is really helpful when I’m traveling because I don’t have to worry about paying extra fees. Sometimes I’ll fly on a higher fare class to get additional perks, especially if I get a good deal on the airfare. The additional money is usually worth it.

Friendly Staff

One thing that I like about Qatar is the staff. In fact, Qatar is one of my favorite airlines to fly with. I love the people that work for them. I’ve had a good experience each time I’ve taken a trip with this air carrier.

Qatar Airways Plane Photo

Good Prices

Believe it or not, Qatar has pretty good fare prices. I’ve gotten good deals on airfare with them. Some routes are really inexpensive, which is why I can afford to fly first or business class sometimes.

Spacious Seats

I also noticed that Qatar Airways has spacious seats. Every airline designs its planes differently, so you never know how tight the seats will feel. But I must say, I’ve always had a little extra wiggle room with Qatar.

Cons

Subpar Food

So, I wasn’t impressed with Qatar’s food. It’s not that it was terrible, but I’ve had better airline food before. I guess I was just expecting more from an airline that’s so highly rated.

American Airlines

American Airlines is one of the best airlines to fly to Spain. They offer direct flights from Miami. When I’m taking international flights from the United States, American Airlines is always my choice—depending on prices and a few other factors. I usually rack up miles with American, so that’s why I may choose them over Qatar.

Pros

Spacious Seats

American Airlines offers spacious seats. This is one of the reasons I fly with them so often. I’m a tall person, so I need all the legroom I can get. Plus, the seats are spacious. Even when I fly in the main cabin, I’m comfortable.

In-Flight Entertainment

Another reason I fly American is because of their in-flight entertainment options. They always have the latest movies, tv shows, and music. And if you’re flying in First or Business Class, you have access to a personal entertainment system.

American Airlines Plane Photo

Numerous Flight Routes

American Airlines flights are all over the USA. They fly out of almost every city, which makes my life easier. I don’t have to get to a certain destination to fly with them.

Cons

Flight Prices

American Airlines flight prices are a bit high. But that’s to be expected with any major carrier. Sometimes I don’t fly with them because of the cost of airfare. Unless I’m using miles or credit card points, I’ll opt for a different airline. Sometimes I can find a good deal with American Airlines, but it depends on the route and timeframe that I’m traveling.

FAQs About Flying to Spain

Question: What are the requirements for flying to Spain?

Answer: All travelers flying to Spain must have a valid passport. If you are a citizen of the European Union (EU), you do not need a visa to enter Spain. If you are a citizen of another country, you may need a visa to enter Spain. Please check with your country’s Spanish embassy or consulate for more information.

Question: Which Spanish city should I fly into?

Answer: The main airport in Spain is Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). Other major airports in Spain include Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), Valencia Airport (VLC), and Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI).
In most cases, you’ll find more flight routes going to Barcelona and Madrid. The prices are usually cheaper when you fly into those cities.

Question: Is it expensive to fly to Spain?

Answer: Not really. If you book a flight at the last minute, it’ll probably be expensive. Also, the city that you fly from will determine the price. Flying out of Miami or New York will probably cost less than leaving from Atlanta. It’s a good idea to be flexible with your vacation dates. If you can do that, you’ll find great deals. Also, keep in mind that flying to Spain is much more affordable if you’re coming from another European country.

My Final Thoughts on Flying to Spain

In my opinion, you can’t go wrong when you fly with either of the airlines mentioned above. If you’ve traveled before, then you know that things happen, and you may run into issues when flying. This can happen with any airline. But what I noticed from these air carriers is that they are very efficient at correcting issues. So, while the chance of a problem occurring is minimal, know that these airlines will take care of you. 

Well, that’s all for this flight guide. I hope you enjoy your trip to Spain!

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