Getting around in Spain by plane is an expensive but viable option, and it is the fastest means of travelling long distances. Look for special bargain rates that can defray costs. Train and bus connections between airports and city centres are usually smooth.

SPANISH AIRPORTS
International airports include Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, Seville, Malaga, Almeria, Alicante, Valencia, Palma de Mallorda, Ibiza and Mao (Menorca). Usually the cheapest destinations are Malaga, the Balearic Islands, Barcelona and Madrid. Barcelona, or rather Girona, is popular with travelers as it's served by many of the cheaper airlines (particularly out of the UK).

Transport to and from the airports:
There are shuttle buses or even trains running to Spanish airports from all main train or bus terminals.

From Madrid Airport (Barajas Airport) a regular bus service, 200, leaves from Terminal 2 and passes Terminal 1, then heads to the Avenida de America interchange. Here you have to take the Metro. The bus departs about every 10 minutes from 6am-11.30pm. The metro is probably the easiest way into town. There are metro stations in Terminal T2 and Terminal T4 and trains depart every 5mins from 6am-2am. Take line 8 for Nuevos Ministerios Metro station and central Madrid.

Barcelona's airport is 14 km southwest of the city centre at El Prat de Llobregat. Trains go from the airport every 30 mins to Estació Sants, Passeig de Gracia or Clot which are serviced by metro ss. You can also take the Aerobús which leaves every 15mins. It is slightly more expensive. It departs from Plaça de Catalunya and Estació Sants for all three airport terminals. Suburban buses (EA and EN from Plaça d'Espanya) also run to the airport and are cheaper but only run every 80 mins.

http://www.barcelona-airport.com
http://www.airwise.com/airports/europe/BCN/BCN_01.html
http://www.worldairportguide.com/airport/279/airport_guide/Europe/Barcelona-Airport.html


BUYING A TICKET
Return tickets to Spain are usually cheaper and are a good defence against immigration officials who want to be assured that you are going to leave the country. Get a ticket with an airline that allows you to make changes to the ticket without any problems. If you are working or studying in Spain for more than one year you may wish to get a one-way ticket and utilise the cheap tickets out of London to come home.

Students or travellers under 26 years should always ask for youth / student fares. If you are flying from Australia or New Zealand, ask about sovers to break the journey.

Buying tickets with a credit card can double your frequent flyer points and is an insurance against dodgy travel agents. This way you have time to check you have a ticket and can cancel the charge if there is a problem.

If you are arriving late or departing early check to see if the airport is open all-night so you can catch some sleep on comfy sofas before heading off again. Some places can close down and public transport services s for the night.

AIRLINES
The main Spanish airlines are:
Iberia – Spain’s flag carrier with domestic flights to most airports.
Spanair – also another big carrier with lots of flights.
Easyjet – not a Spanish company but flies from Madrid, Oviedo, Barcelona, Alicante, Bilbao and Ibiza to other European centres.
Clickair – A number of internal Spanish routes including Barcelona to Granada, Alicante and Cadiz.
Lagunair – a small domestic carrier with a few routes.
Air Europa - Flights all over Spain.
Air Nostrum - Iberia's regional airline with a network of internal flights.
Ryanair - Ryanair also offers some internal flights as well as connections with other European centres.
A number of other international airlines fly into Spain.

CHEAP DEALS
Many of the cheap airlines cut their prices by reducing services i.e you will not be served meals or drinks. They also offer online reservations which cuts out the commissions normally paid to travel agents.

Halcon Viajes (http://www.halconviajes.com) often has cheap fares from Spain, especially if you're under 26 years. Many of the other cheap airlines coming in or out of Spain cut their prices by reducing services i.e you will not be served meals or drinks. They also offer online reservations which cuts out the commissions normally paid to travel agents. Most travel agents as a result will boycott booking for these airlines.

Ryan Air
www.ryanair.com
Ryan Air flies to locations all over Europe and the United Kingdom from London Stansted. For flexible travellers these cheap flights are a big saving. However special deals are offered only during certain periods, check their website regularly for details. Flights can be booked by credit card and tickets are picked up at the airport. Ryan Air does not refund cancellations and only 20 kilograms are allowed as weight allowance. Usually one piece of hand luggage is permitted.

EasyJet
Also operates out of London but has more limited flights than Ryan Air throughout Europe. easyJet is a ticketless airline, so all you need at check-in is your confirmation number and positive proof of ID (a passport for International flights).
For Further information visit the easyJet web site: www.easyJet.com

Here are some tips to surviving air travel: