Planning a vacation and looking for the top airlines to jet off? Well, Spaniards need not look any further! We have compiled a list of Spain's favourite airlines and their notable services and features, which you can use to decide which carrier you want to fly with. ✈️
Iberia is the national flag carrier of Spain. As a founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance, it has a strong global network. They are known for their extensive services connecting Europe and Latin America. Their hub is in Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD).
As Spain's flag carrier, Iberia operates an extensive network. Its most popular routes connect Madrid to major cities worldwide, especially in Latin America and North America. Key destinations include Latin America (Buenos Aires, Bogota, Mexico City), the USA (Miami, New York, Chicago) and domestic flights in Spain from Madrid (A Coruña, Barcelona, Bilbao).
Iberia has a wide range of benefits for its members. Here are a few of our favourites. Iberia's loyalty program, Iberia Plus, allows its members to earn and redeem Avios points, which can be exchanged for upgrades, both with Iberia and their Oneworld Alliance partners. High-tier members get even more perks, with access to lounges such as the prestigious Dalí Lounge in T4 and the Velázquez Premium Lounge in T4S in Madrid-Barajas Airport and priority services such as boarding, check-in and baggage handling.
Skytrax Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vueling is a Spanish low-cost airline that is a key player in European and Spanish air travel. It is a part of the International Airlines Group (IAG) and is a leader in its main hub at Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN). Vueling operates a network of routes connecting over 30 countries, focusing on short- to medium-haul flights between major European cities and popular destinations within Spain.
Vueling is a low-cost carrier that is a major player in the Spanish and European markets. It operates short- to medium-haul routes. Its most popular routes connect Barcelona to other major European cities (Paris, Rome, London) and popular Spanish destinations (Palma de Mallorca, Seville, Malaga).
Vueling has some good perks which members can enjoy too. The most notable of these is the same loyalty program as Iberia, with members of the "Vueling Club" being able to collect Avios and expend them for fare upgrades and other big perks, both on Vueling flights and on other IAG airlines, including Iberia and British Airways. Premium members can double up on Avios points, as well as receive premier benefits like exclusive check-in desks, priority boarding, and even the option to change to an earlier or later flight on the same day for a small fee.
Skytrax Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Air Europa is a Spanish airline based in Mallorca, with its main hub at Madrid–Barajas Airport. It is the third-largest airline in Spain after Iberia and Vueling. As a member of the SkyTeam alliance, Air Europa offers an extensive network of flights, particularly to Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America.
Air Europa focuses on flights connecting Spain to the Americas (Buenos Aires, Havana, Miami), as well as an extensive domestic and European network (Lisbon, Paris, Rome). They also offer domestic flights between the Balearic islands and the mainland (Palma de Mallorca, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Alicante, and Malaga).
Air Europa members have some extras available for them, including, again, a loyalty program with some amazing rewards. Air Europa SUMA allows you to collect "Suma Miles" and expend them to get upgrades on Air Europa flights or other members of the SkyTeam Alliance. Elite-level Suma members get benefits like priority boarding, free seat selection, and access to VIP lounges on international flights. For long-haul flights, Business Class passengers receive a more premium experience, including exclusive menus, welcome service, and dedicated in-flight entertainment.
Skytrax Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Ryanair is a prominent Irish low-cost airline and one of the largest carriers in Europe by passenger numbers. Founded in 1984, the airline pioneered the "ultra-low-cost" business model in Europe, which is characterised by a relentless focus on cost-cutting and a no-frills approach to air travel.
As a major low-cost carrier, Ryanair operates a vast number of routes connecting Spain to other European countries. The routes are often focused on popular holiday destinations and major cities in the UK (London, Manchester, Dublin, and Edinburgh), Germany (Berlin, Frankfurt, and Cologne), and Italy (Rome, Milan, and Pisa).
Ryanair is an ultra-low-cost airline, so its perks are limited, but it still has a few things worth mentioning. MyRyanair is a free account that simplifies the booking process and offers occasional member-only promotions. Ryanair Prime is a paid membership program that offers perks for frequent flyers, including free reserved seating on a certain number of flights per year, annual travel insurance and access to exclusive sales. Arguably, Ryanair's main perk is its incredibly low fares, which make it an attractive option for budget-conscious travellers.
Skytrax Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
easyJet is a leading British low-cost airline and one of the largest carriers in Europe, known for its distinctive orange branding. While it operates on a no-frills model, it also offers a variety of optional services and a loyalty program, providing a balance between low fares and customer-friendly amenities. While its main hubs are in the UK, easyJet has a strong presence in Spain with major bases in Barcelona (BCN) and Malaga (AGP).
Similar to Ryanair, easyJet specialises in short- to medium-haul flights, connecting Spanish cities with key European destinations. Their primary route from Spain is to the UK (London, Manchester, and Bristol). However, they do offer flights from Spain to other destinations like France (Paris, Nice, and Lyon) and Switzerland (Basel and Geneva).
easyJet is a world-class low-cost airline, and has a wide array of benefits for travellers choosing to buy into their membership. easyJet Plus is a paid annual membership that gives frequent travellers a load of benefits, including but not limited to: A large cabin bag on board at no extra cost, premium seat selection, choose any available seat for free, including those with extra legroom, fast track security, and Access to priority security lanes at select airports, speedy boarding among the first passengers.
Skytrax Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
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When it comes to airline safety, all major carriers flying out of Spain are subject to the strict regulations of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). As a result, many airlines have strong safety records. Based on recent ratings, both Iberia and Ryanair consistently rank highly.
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Several airlines are known for offering cheap flights from Spain, particularly the low-cost carriers that dominate the European market. Ryanair is frequently cited as the most economical option, with a high percentage of flights consistently being the cheapest. Other prominent low-cost airlines, such as Vueling and Wizz Air, also compete fiercely on price, particularly for flights within Europe.
