
Barcelona is served by one airport, the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN), which is located 15km from the city centre. The airport is also known as Barcelona-El Prat Airport, El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto, and El Prat Airport. It is the second-largest and second-busiest airport in Spain, the busiest airport in Catalonia, and the sixth busiest in Europe. In 2019, the airport handled a record 52 million passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport |
| Former Name | El Prat Barcelona Airport |
| Nicknames | BCN Airport, El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto, Barcelona-El Prat Airport, El Prat Airport |
| IATA Code | BCN |
| ICAO Code | LEBL |
| Location | 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of the centre of Barcelona, Spain |
| Municipalities | El Prat de Llobregat, Viladecans, and Sant Boi |
| Ranking | Second-largest and second-busiest airport in Spain, busiest international airport of Catalonia, sixth busiest in Europe |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Number of Passengers in 2019 | 52,686,314 |
| Number of Passengers in 2023 | 49.9 million |
| Airlines | Level, Vueling, Air Europa, Iberia, EasyJet, Ryanair, Emirates, Norwegian |
| Incidents | Cessna Citation I crash (1974), Ibertrans Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner crash (1998), Swiftair Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner crash (1998) |
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What You'll Learn

The airport's full name is 'Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport'
The full name of Barcelona Airport is indeed Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. It is an international airport located 15km (9.3 miles) southwest of central Barcelona, in the municipalities of El Prat de Llobregat, Viladecans, and Sant Boi, in Catalonia, Spain. The airport is also referred to by the codes BCN (IATA) and LEBL (ICAO).
Barcelona Airport is the second-largest and second-busiest airport in Spain, and the busiest international airport in Catalonia. In 2019, it handled a record 52,686,314 passengers, up 5% from 2018. It is a hub for Level and Vueling, and a focus city for Air Europa, Iberia, EasyJet, and Ryanair. The airport has two terminals and three runways and offers a variety of services and facilities.
The airport was previously known as El Prat Barcelona Airport. However, it was recently renamed to honour the Catalonian politician and former president Josep Tarradellas on the 30th anniversary of his death. Despite the official name change, many people still refer to the airport using nicknames such as BCN Airport, El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto, or simply El Prat Airport.
Barcelona Airport has a long history, with commercial services beginning in 1927. Over the years, the airport has undergone significant developments, including the construction of runways, terminals, and control towers. It has also witnessed several notable incidents, including plane crashes and protests that disrupted airport operations.
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It is located 15km from Barcelona's city centre
Barcelona is served by just one airport, the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport, which is located 15km from the city centre. The airport is situated in the southwest of the city, in the municipalities of El Prat de Llobregat, Viladecans, and Sant Boi, in Catalonia, Spain. It is the main international gateway to Barcelona and the second-largest and second-busiest airport in Spain, surpassed only by Madrid-Barajas.
The airport is easily accessible from the city centre, with a range of transport options available. It is adequately connected to Barcelona's city centre, with public transportation, buses, taxis, private transfers, and car rental options all available. The airport is also conveniently located just 17 kilometres from the Port of Barcelona, offering exclusive services for cruise passengers such as different check-in counters and luggage transport between the two sites.
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport is a hub for a variety of international and domestic airlines, including Level and Vueling, and it serves as a focus city for Air Europa, Iberia, EasyJet, and Ryanair. In 2019, the airport handled a record 52 million passengers, making it the busiest airport in Catalonia and the sixth busiest in Europe. The majority of traffic at the airport is domestic and European, with intercontinental connections accounting for a smaller proportion of passenger traffic.
The airport has two modern passenger terminals, which are not adjacent to each other, and three runways. Terminal 1, the main terminal, underwent a massive renovation in 2009 and primarily handles Schengen and international flights. The airport offers a range of services and facilities, including VIP lounges and fast-track options, to enhance the travel experience for its millions of annual passengers.
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It is the second-largest and second-busiest airport in Spain
Barcelona is served by only one airport, the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport, also known as Barcelona-El Prat Airport, El Prat Barcelona Airport, or simply Barcelona Airport or El Prat Airport. It is located 15km (9.3 miles) from the city centre in the southwest direction. The airport is named after the Catalonian politician and former president, Josep Tarradellas.
Barcelona Airport is the second-largest and second-busiest airport in Spain, after Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas. In 2023, it welcomed nearly 50 million passengers, and in 2019, it handled a record 52,686,314 passengers, making it the sixth busiest airport in Europe. It is the busiest airport in Catalonia, with the majority of its traffic being domestic and European. It is a hub for Level and Vueling, and a focus city for Iberia, EasyJet, Ryanair, and Air Europa.
The airport has two terminals and three runways, with Terminal 1 being the primary terminal handling international and Schengen flights. The two terminals are not adjacent, so passengers travel between them using free airport shuttles. Barcelona Airport offers a variety of services and facilities and is adequately connected to the city centre by public transportation, buses, taxis, and private transfers.
Barcelona Airport has a long history, with its first commercial service beginning in 1927 with an Iberia service to Madrid. In 1948, the first runway was built, and the first overseas service was operated by Pan American World Airways to New York City. In 1968, a new terminal (now Terminal 2B) was opened, and in 1970, regular service between Barcelona, Lisbon, and New York was inaugurated using a Boeing 747.
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The airport has two terminals and three runways
Barcelona Airport, also known as Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport, is located 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of central Barcelona, in the municipalities of El Prat de Llobregat, Viladecans, and Sant Boi, in Catalonia, Spain. It is the second-largest and second-busiest airport in Spain, and the sixth busiest in Europe.
In terms of runways, the first runway, 07-25, was built in 1948, with the second runway, 16-34, constructed between 1948 and 1952. A third runway, 07R/25L, was added in 2009 as part of the airport's expansion plan, bringing the total number of runways to three. Two of the runways are parallel (06L/24R and 06R/24L), and the third is a cross runway (02/20).
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It is a hub for Level and Vueling airlines
Barcelona Airport, officially known as Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport, is a hub for Level and Vueling airlines. The airport is located 12-15 km southwest of the centre of Barcelona, in the municipalities of El Prat de Llobregat, Viladecans, and Sant Boi, in Catalonia, Spain. It is the second-largest and second-busiest airport in Spain, and the sixth busiest in Europe. In 2019, Barcelona Airport handled a record 52,686,314 passengers, a 5.0% increase from 2018.
Level is an airline created by International Airlines Group (IAG), which is formed by British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, and Aer Lingus. In December 2016, IAG announced flights from Barcelona to the US, Latin America, and Asia for the summer of 2017. Level launched low-cost, long-haul flights to Los Angeles, Oakland, Punta Cana, and Buenos Aires.
Vueling, a low-cost airline, has an operational base at Barcelona Airport, with most of its traffic being domestic and European. The airline operates from Terminal T1, offering special check-in counters for families with children, passengers with special needs, Premium customers, and last-minute cases. Vueling provides convenient transportation options to and from the airport, including taxi, bus, train, and underground services.
Both airlines contribute significantly to the high volume of passenger traffic at Barcelona–El Prat Airport, making it a crucial hub for travel within Europe and beyond. The airport's efficient infrastructure and strategic location have established it as a prominent gateway to Barcelona and the surrounding region.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the airport in Barcelona is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport. It is also known as Barcelona-El Prat Airport, El Prat Airport, BCN Airport, and El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto.
The airport is called El Prat because it is located in the municipality of El Prat de Llobregat, about 15km (9.3 miles) southwest of Barcelona's city centre.
The Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport is the second-largest and second-busiest airport in Spain, the busiest airport in Catalonia, and the sixth busiest in Europe. In 2019, the airport handled a record 52 million passengers.








































