Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Flights & Flight Status

Serving one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) delivers with a solid passenger experience that has earned high rankings in Skytrax’s World Airport Awards. It’s easily accessible via public transportation. It has a spacious, modern feel (at least in Terminal 1), with shopping and dining options reflecting local culture. In addition, paid passes are available to navigate the sometimes slow security checkpoints (the most common passenger complaint). As a former resident of Barcelona, I’m well-versed in BCN (which has come a long way since I lived there). Here’s everything you need to know.

What to expect at BCN

BCN is both Spain's second-largest and second-busiest airport, spanning two terminals. Built in 2009, Terminal 1 is the more modern of the terminals, with a striking, spacious design by Ricardo Bofill, the late, award-winning Catalan architect. International travellers are more likely to fly in and out of Terminal 1, which serves many major carriers, including Air Canada.

Terminal 2, meanwhile, is notably more dated. Its three main areas—T2A, T2B, and T2C—mostly serve low-cost airlines. If you’re not sure which terminal your airline departs from, be sure to check the airport’s website beforehand. Check-in lines can be long at T2, so be sure to allow yourself extra time, especially if you’re flying to a non-Schengen country.

Download the Aena app

I recommend anyone flying into or out of BCN to download the airport’s app, called Aena, which refers to the company that manages BCN and other airports around Spain. (A search for “Barcelona airport app” will bring up the app on the Apple Store and Google Play.)

Not only can you check on gate information and security lines in real time, you can access a free tier of the Aena Club, which includes discounts on parking and on VIP lounges. Paid tiers, meanwhile, offer additional perks.

Getting to and from BCN

Take the Aerobús

My top recommendation for travelling to and from BCN: the Aerobús. This express bus service is one of the most efficient offerings I’ve come across while travelling. It’s affordable, convenient, and reliable, running every 10 minutes (or less). The ticket costs less than a third of what you’d pay for a taxi.

It takes about 30 to 35 minutes to reach the city center via the easy-to-spot blue buses, with stops at landmarks like Plaça Catalunya. Keep in mind that certain stops are only available on the route from the airport into the city. So be sure to check the route beforehand.

At BCN, you can buy an Aerobús ticket at self-service machines located at T1 and T2. Heading to the airport, you can purchase tickets before boarding or from ticket machines in Plaça Catalunya. Be sure to board the correct bus: A1 services Terminal 1 and A2 services Terminal 2. In addition, children four years and younger ride for free.

Tips on taxis and rideshare programs

If you’d prefer the ease of a taxi, just look for the yellow-and-black cars—there are always a ton outside both terminals. In my experience, cab drivers in Barcelona have been friendly and cheerful. One caveat: Not all of them speak English. The city center is about a 30-minute drive from BCN, depending on traffic.

However, if your flight arrives early in the morning, or departs in the early evening, keep in mind that Barcelona’s rush hour traffic may be problematic. The workday in Spain generally starts and ends later than in some other countries, so keep that in mind when planning your trip to the airport.

Take the train (but only if you have to)

There’s no metro service from the city centre to BCN, but you can travel by regional train. The train is the cheapest option, at less than the cost of a cup of coffee, and the trip takes less than 30 minutes. However, the experience gets very mixed reviews, with frequent complaints from passengers about delays and dirty trains. If possible, I strongly recommend taking the Aerobus instead.

Prepare for (possibly) long security lines

BCN is noticeably behind some other European airports when it comes to technology in the security line. There are no state-of-the-art scanning systems (yet, at least), so prepare to remove laptops and liquids (and possibly shoes).

Because this requires additional time to move through, it’s a good idea to give yourself extra time to clear security, especially during peak travel times such as Sundays. The recommended arrival time is two hours before departure for Schengen flights, and three hours for non-Schengen flights.

Minimize time in line with Fast Lane access

If it’s an especially busy time, I recommend buying a Fast Lane (also sometimes called Fast Track) pass. For about the cost of a cup of coffee, you can skip the security line, which is especially handy during peak travel times. You can purchase tickets, which are valid for seven days, via the BCN website or the Aena app. In addition, children aged five and under are allowed free access while travelling with adults with tickets.

Each terminal has its own Fast Lane. In T1, it’s located on the third floor, next to the main security checkpoint in the departures hall. In T2, it’s available to passengers checking in at the B and C areas. Look out for Fast Lane signs in both terminals.

A heads-up for easyJet passengers

If you’re flying easyJet, you’ll need to head straight to T2C, which is occupied solely by easyJet. It’s about a ten-minute walk from T2B. The carrier has plenty of check-in desks, but lines can be long despite this, so be sure to allow yourself extra time, especially if you’re flying to the UK.

If you’re flying to a U.K. destination, be sure to grab any snacks and souvenirs you need before passing through passport control. That’s because once you’re past it, pickings are very slim, with only one café and shop. The waiting areas can get quite crowded, too. So if you’re the type of passenger who prefers to get a spot as close to the front of the boarding line as possible, that’s another reason to give yourself some extra time.

The Barcelona-Madrid corridor

Frequent travellers to Madrid can take advantage of what’s known as the Barcelona-Madrid Corridor, which is a shuttle service offered by Iberia, with many flights per day. The offering, which allows passengers to show up only 15 minutes prior to departure, has its own dedicated space in Terminal 1. Three check-in desks are located in this area, with a dedicated security checkpoint, too. The service is used mostly by business travellers, but it can also come in handy for leisure travellers.

Take advantage of family-friendly offerings

BCN has some lovely offerings catered to families, which can go a long way in making the sometimes stressful experience of flying with children a little smoother. First off, there's a family security area at both terminals. Unlike some other airports, this handy service is available for families traveling with children all the way up to 12 years old—something I especially appreciate.

In addition, there are about a dozen play areas across both terminals, which are ideal for letting little ones burn off some preflight energy. Finally, parents can take advantage of baggage carts that are fitted with infant carriers or child seats (dependent on availability; you’ll need to request them at staffed Aena information desks).

Relax in one of several comfy lounges

Barcelona has four VIP lounges, three of which are located in T1. The best of the bunch is the Pau Casals lounge, which is also open to Priority Pass members. Airy and spacious, the lounge has the usual amenities, including a shower room and plenty of seating. It also features an impressive selection of individually plated dishes, including Spanish specialities like tapas and jamón ibérico.

There’s a generous four-hour maximum at Pau Casals (which is longer than some other Priority Pass lounges in Europe). Keep in mind that the entrance is easy to miss, thanks to very small signage on the main boards. Look for the VIP symbol on the bottom of the sign.

The Joan Miró lounge also receives good reviews from passengers, with a modern vibe and plenty of space to spread out. There’s another lounge near the Barcelona-Madrid shuttle gates, as well as one in Terminal 2.

Enjoy Spanish cuisine

One of my favorite aspects of BCN is dining options that showcase excellent Spanish and Catalan dishes and vendors. For one last taste of tapas before your departure, head to the aptly named Tapa Tapa, in Terminal 1. It’s a chain eatery, but does a solid job with an expansive menu of small plates perfect for sharing, like tortilla española, as well as larger dishes like paella. Carnivores won’t want to miss stocking up on Iberian ham at Enrique Tomás, which has two outposts at BCN.

Wi-Fi, water fountains, and no boarding calls

The airport offers free Wi-Fi (you just need to give an email address to log in), which is fairly standard for airports these days. BCN also has a number of water fountains for drinking and refilling your water bottles, which will be appreciated by climate- and budget-conscious travellers alike

Finally, BCN is what’s known as a 'silent airport', which means that there are no announcements for boarding or final calls. So be sure to keep a close eye on the information screens, as well as the Aena or your airline’s app, to stay informed about your flight.