Getting around in Spain by plane is an expensive but viable option, and it is the fastest means of travelling long distances, such as Barcelona to Granada. Look for special bargain rates that can defray costs.


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.

 

STUDENTS
Students or travellers under 26 years should always ask for youth / student fares. Sometimes there are further discounts for passengers 12 or under. Places to check for studying abroad or travelling extensively overseas are StudentUniverse.com, and Smarter Living.

 

SENIORS
Senior travellers should always ask about discounts that can be 10% off published fares. Age restrictions will vary as sometimes they require travellers to be 62 years and sometimes 65. Airlines also sell coupon books to mature travellers for selected destinations.


CREDIT CARDS AND FREQUENT FLYER POINTS
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. Enrolling in a frequent flyer program is also a good way to earn points towards further travel. However don’t get caught up in earning points at the expense of forfeiting cheap tickets. The points earned may not be as valuable as the money saved.


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.


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.
 
 

CHARTER FLIGHTS
Charter airline flights can be a way to find cheaper airfares, but they aren’t always priced less than published fares so make sure you compare prices. Charters buy blocks of tickets in advance and resell them to consumers and make their money by filling every seat. This means the flights can be crowded and inflight service compromised. Travel agents and tour operators can direct you to reputable charters.

Charter airline flights do not operate under the same regulations as scheduled airlines. They can change schedules at the last minute, delay flights up to 48 hours or cancel 10 days before if seats have not sold well. Make sure you understand the restrictions and know your rights. We have compiled a list of charter links on our links pages.

 

COURIER FLIGHTS
Flying on air courier flights is a great way to find cheap international airfares. You can save 20-50% on tickets but there are restrictions. Couriers give most of their baggage allowance in exchange for a discounted round-trip ticket. So you must be good at packing lightly.

Usually the procedure is to meet the courier agent several hours before take off. He gives you an airline ticket and receipts for the cargo he has already checked through. When you reach your destination, a courier representative will meet you and collect the receipts necessary to retrieve his cargo.

If you are willing to fly on short notice your trip may be free, but the length of stay can still depend on how far you travel. Usually you are required to serve as a courier on the return trip. However if you are travelling with a partner it can get trickier. Courier flights are usually for one courier per flight so your partner will need a position on a consecutive day, or fly for a different courier service on the same flight. If none of this works at least one of you has saved on an airfare.

Courier companies are legitimate businesses and you won’t be asked to carry anything illegal. All cargo goes through the usual procedures and paperwork. To check them out go to the International Association of Air Travel Couriers who will provide you with courier flight listings for 12 months for a fee of $50. Or visit the Air Courier Directory website who for $10 will give you access to the Air Courier Directory for 12 months. This has timely information on available courier flights.

 

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. Most travel agents as a result will boycott booking for these airlines.

TIVE and Halcon Viajes often have cheap fares from Spain, especially if you're under 26 years.

Auto Europe
Auto Europe can offer bookings from USA to Europe. www.autoeurope.com

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
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). Further information is available on the easyJet web site: www.easyJet.com

STA
http://www.sta.com

For other cheap flights check the ads in major newspapers, student newspapers and the free / alternative press.