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Flights from Spain to Asia
Look for flights from Spain to Asia? You’re in good company. Travel between the two is growing fast, and whether you’re heading to the city lights of Tokyo, the beaches of Thailand or a plate of Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore, we’ll help you plan it without the hassle.
Most flights will have at least one stop - that’s just how the routes work. But that doesn’t mean your booking has to be confusing or expensive.
We’ll show you when to book, which airlines to look out for, and how to spread the cost with flexible ways to pay.
Popular destinations in Asia
Asia is full of standout spots for Spanish travellers, whether you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure or a well-earned escape. Here's where people are heading and why they’re worth the trip:
Japan 🌸
Spanish visits to Japan rose by 60% in 2024 and it’s easy to see why. The food alone is worth the flight, and the mix of history and modern life keeps things interesting. Most head to Tokyo and Osaka, but Kyoto is a great choice if you’re after something slower and more cultural.
Thailand 🛺
Still a favourite and for good reason. Beach breaks, street food and great value for money make Thailand an easy win. Bangkok is the ideal starting point, whether you're heading to the islands or inland.
South Korea 🏙️
Interest in South Korea is rising fast. Seoul blends cutting-edge tech with history and food that deserves more attention. Spain was the top European destination for Korean travellers in 2023 and it looks like that interest is mutual.
Other popular destinations in Asia
Pay later for Spain-Asia flights
At Alternative Airlines, we offer multiple pay-later options specifically designed to make Asian travel accessible for travellers worldwide. Instead of draining your savings account today, secure your preferred flights and spread the cost over time.
Our pay-later partners for Spanish travellers
- Klarna - Available in Spain with payment plans that suit your budget. Split your Asian flight into 3 interest-free payments or choose longer monthly terms.
- Scalapay - Available for Spanish residents, split your flight cost into 3 interest-free instalments paid over 30 or 60 days.
- Oney - Split your flight cost into 3 or 4 monthly instalments.
- SeQura - Spain's own Buy Now Pay Later solution. Split into 3 interest-free instalments or spread monthly for up to 24 months.
Major Spanish airports with flights to Asia
Madrid-Barajas (MAD) 🛫
Looking to fly to Asia? Madrid-Barajas is your most reliable option. In 2024, it saw a 133% rise in connections to Asia and remains the main hub for most airlines. You’ll get the widest range of airlines, routes and departure times here.
Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) 🛫
Barcelona-El Prat is next in line, with a smaller range of direct flights but good options via connections, especially if you’re heading to East Asia.
Other airports ℹ️
Airports like Valencia, Seville and Bilbao mostly offer connecting routes through Europe or the Middle East. If you're not near Madrid or Barcelona, chances are you'll pass through one of them anyway.
What’s the smart move? 🤔
Unless you're based closer to a regional airport, Madrid often gives you the best mix of flight times, airlines and competitive fares for Asian destinations.
Airlines operating Spain-Asia routes
Let’s be honest - if you're heading from Spain to Asia, a direct flight probably isn't on the cards. In fact, only 19% of travellers on this route fly non-stop. But that’s not bad news.
In many cases, connecting flights offer better service, comfier cabins and more choice. Here’s a quick look at the airlines flying these routes - both direct and with a stop along the way.
Direct flight options ✈️
You won’t find loads of options, but these are the main players if you’re set on flying non-stop:
- Iberia - Madrid to Tokyo (3x weekly) on the A350-900. Business class is solid, and the route's gaining traction.
- T'way Air - Seoul to Barcelona. A budget airline that keeps things simple and usually on time.
- China Eastern - Barcelona to Shanghai. Service is improving, and it’s one to watch.
- Air China - Beijing to Madrid (continuing to Havana). Reliable with a strong business class setup.
Connecting carriers 🛫
This is where the real choice is and where service steps up.
- Emirates via Dubai - A favourite for a reason. Top-tier service across all classes, plus A380s on many routes.
- Qatar Airways via Doha - Best-in-class business, serving 50+ Asian cities. It’s not just a stopover - it’s part of the experience.
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul - Flies from six Spanish airports. Great value in premium economy and one of the broadest Asian networks.
- Etihad via Abu Dhabi - Leaning into luxury, especially in first class. A solid option for East Asia.
- Singapore Airlines - Exceptional service standards and a go-to for Southeast Asia.
European alternatives 🌍
If you'd rather stay with an EU airline, here’s who to look at:
- KLM via Amsterdam - Reliable with a wide Asian network.
- Lufthansa via Frankfurt - Modern fleet and great connectivity.
- Air France via Paris - Often competitive on price, and the service holds up well.
💡What do we recommend? Gulf airlines didn’t become leaders in long-haul travel by chance. They’ve raised the bar when it comes to comfort, service and in-flight extras, often outshining many direct flight options. That stop in Dubai or Doha? It might feel like a detour, but it can actually make the journey smoother, not harder.
Flight durations and layover options
Here’s the thing about flying from Spain to Asia: sometimes a layover can actually improve your journey. Direct sounds great on paper, but the real experience tells a different story.
Direct flight times 🕑
These are your quickest options, but they’re not always available and rarely affordable.
- Madrid to Tokyo: Around 14 hours - doable, but you’ll feel it
- Barcelona to Shanghai: Around 12 hours - on the shorter side for Asia
- Barcelona to Seoul: Around 11 hours - the fastest direct option from Spain
One-stop flight times 🕑
Most travellers will connect somewhere and that’s not a bad thing.
- Spain to Tokyo: 16-19 hours (including layover)
- Spain to Bangkok: 14-17 hours
- Spain to Singapore: 15-18 hours
- Spain to Delhi: 12-15 hours
Best layover airports for Spain to Asia flights
Some layovers are worth looking forward to. Here’s where to aim for:
- Dubai (DXB): 2-4 hour connections, solid food, showers and top-of-the-range lounges
- Doha (DOH): Voted world’s best airport in 2024 - clean, calm, and easy to navigate
- Istanbul (IST): Free hotel for longer layovers (6+ hrs), excellent Turkish food
- Amsterdam (AMS): Super quick connections and a 20-minute train into the city
💡Looking for a longer layover? Check out our guide on booking flights with long layovers! 👇🏻
Travel insights and booking trends
Peak booking periods 📈
- January-February - planning trips post-holidays
- March-April - locking in summer and autumn travel
- September-October - getting ahead on winter escapes
Most popular travel periods ✨
- October-November - for milder weather across much of Asia
- March-May - to dodge the heat and big crowds
- December-January - for winter sun (and premium prices)
💡 If you're looking to avoid peak fares, aim for the shoulder seasons - it's when smart travellers make their move.
When to book flights from Spain to Asia
Spanish travellers tend to book long-haul flights earlier.
- For Asia: around 8-12 weeks in advance
- For Europe: closer to 4-6 weeks
Comfort matters too, especially for 12+ hour flights. More people are choosing premium economy to make the journey easier.
And when it comes to paying? Behaviour’s shifting. With flights often ranging between €800 and €1,500, more travellers are choosing to pay in instalments.
Our data shows a 40% jump in Buy Now Pay Later use for flights over €600 - a smart move for spreading the cost without the stress! You can use Buy Now Pay Later options with us at Alternative Airlines - discover our pay-later options here.
How to find and book cheap flights from Spain to Asia
Start flexible, then narrow things down 📅
If your travel dates are wide open, start with a bird’s-eye view:
- Use our Best Fare Finder calendar to spot cheaper days to fly
- Compare departures from Madrid and Barcelona - one’s often cheaper than the other
- Think about flying into a different Asian city first, then using budget airlines for short hops
Use the right tools 💸
We’ve built one of the most flexible flight search experiences out there. Our tech lets you compare over 600 airlines, filter flights the way you want, and pick from over 40 different payment options, all in one place. No need to juggle multiple tabs. Just find, book and get on with your day.
Money-saving tips that actually work 🤑
- Mix and match your flights - Outbound with one airline, return with another. It can seriously cut costs.
- Split tickets - Sometimes booking two one-way flights is cheaper than a standard return.
- One-way bookings - These can be surprisingly competitive to places like Tokyo or Bangkok.
- Last-minute deals - They exist but Asian routes don’t behave like short-haul flights. Direct routes are limited, and prices often rise closer to departure.
If you're booking late, keep this in mind 💡
Asian flights work differently to European ones. Prices usually climb as the departure date gets closer, especially for popular routes. But deals can still pop up if you know when to look.
- Shoulder seasons (May and September) often bring better late deals.
- One-way tickets give you room to extend your trip or fly home another way.
- Midweek flights can drop in price 1-2 weeks before take-off.
- Empty seats = flash deals - Airlines sometimes drop prices if a plane’s not filling up.
💡Top Tip: Booking 2-3 months ahead is usually the smarter call for Asia. But if you’re flexible and up for a bit of risk, late deals aren’t off the table.
FAQs
Are there direct flights from Spain to Asia?
There are some direct flights from Spain to Asia, but most routes will include at least one connection. Major cities like Madrid and Barcelona offer direct flights to destinations such as Doha, Dubai, Beijing and Tokyo, usually with national or flagship airlines.
If you're flying to less connected parts of Asia, expect a layover, often in hubs like Istanbul, Doha or Frankfurt. While direct flights are more convenient, they’re not always the cheapest.
Use our search filters to compare routes and airlines, then choose what works best for your travel plan. You can also spread the cost with flexible payment options.
What's the best time to book flights to Asia?
The best time to book flights to Asia depends on where you're flying and when you want to go.
- Aim to book 2-4 months in advance for the best prices
- Flying outside of peak travel periods, like summer holidays or major festivals, can help you save more
- Mid-week flights also tend to be cheaper than weekends
With our flexible payment options, you can secure your fare now and spread the cost, so you don't miss a good deal!
Which Spanish airport has the most Asian flights?
Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) offers the most flights from Spain to Asia. As Spain’s busiest international airport, it serves as the main hub for long-haul routes, including direct and connecting flights to major Asian cities like Tokyo, Doha, Dubai, Beijing and Seoul.
While some routes are seasonal or operated through shared flights between airlines, Madrid consistently has the widest choice of departures to Asia. If you're flying from another Spanish city, you’ll likely connect through Madrid or another major European hub.
Use our flight search to compare routes and find the best travel plan for your trip to Asia.
How long is the flight from Spain to Asia?
The flight time from Spain to Asia depends on your destination. For example, flying from Madrid to Tokyo takes around 16-18 hours with at least one stop, while flights to Southeast Asia, like Bangkok or Bali, can take 17-20 hours.
Most routes from Spain to Asia include at least one connection, often in hubs like Doha, Istanbul or Dubai. Direct flights are limited, so total journey time can vary depending on layovers.
When booking, it’s worth checking the connection times and total travel duration, especially for long-haul. The quickest option isn’t always the most comfortable, so plan with care.
Do I need a visa for Asian countries?
Visa rules vary across Asia and depend on your nationality and travel plan. Some countries offer visa-free entry or visa on arrival for short stays, while others require you to apply in advance.
For example, Spain passport holders can enter Japan, South Korea and Thailand without a visa for tourism. But countries like China or India require a visa before you travel.
Always check the latest entry rules with the embassy or official government website of the country you're visiting. And if you’ve got connecting flights in other countries, double-check their transit rules too, just to be safe.
What's the baggage allowance for Asian flights?
Baggage allowance for flights to Asia depends on the airline, route and ticket type. Most full-service airlines include at least one checked bag (usually 20-30kg) and a carry-on, but budget airlines may charge extra, even for hand luggage.
If you're flying with more than one airline or on a shared flight, check each airline’s policy carefully, as they can differ. Always review the baggage rules during booking, and if needed, you can usually add more bags later.
Need help figuring it out? Our Customer Service team is here to help you sort the baggage side of things before you take off.
Can I use my Spanish credit card in Asia?
Yes, you can use your Spanish credit card in most parts of Asia, especially in larger cities, airports, hotels and tourist spots. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but it’s smart to carry some cash for smaller shops or local transport.
Before you travel, let your bank know where you’re going to avoid any card blocks. It’s also worth checking if your card charges foreign transaction fees, as these can add up. And if you're booking flights in advance, you can use your Spanish credit card with us and even spread the cost with flexible payment options.