
Barcelona's El Prat Airport (BCN) is the second busiest airport in Spain and one of the largest on the Mediterranean coast. It is located within 9.3 miles of Barcelona's city centre. In November 2024, the airport faced extreme weather conditions, with torrential rain causing flooding in one of the terminals and runways. This resulted in flight cancellations, delays, and disruptions to transportation services in the area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) |
| Airport Address | City's southwest, within 15 km/9.3 miles of Barcelona's city center |
| Number of Terminals | 2 (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) |
| Terminal 1 Facilities | Car park with 9000 spots, Express Parking, VIP and first-class services, Bureau de change, facilities for people with disabilities, left luggage, lost property, restaurants, shopping, tourist information desks, VIP lounges |
| Terminal 2 Facilities | Main car park with 8000 spots, Express Parking, valet services, shops, tourist information points, Bureau de change, VIP lounges, Wi-Fi |
| Number of Destinations | 145 |
| Current Status | Catastrophic flooding, 70 flights cancelled, arrivals and departures delayed or cancelled |
| Transportation to City | Taxis, express bus to the town centre (Aerobus), airport bus, night bus N17 (NitBus), limousine service, shuttle bus, car rental |
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What You'll Learn
- Barcelona's El Prat Airport is the second busiest airport in Spain
- The airport has two terminals, T1 and T2, which are not adjacent
- T1 has a robotic restaurant that uses a robotic arm to manage and deliver orders
- T2 has 3 buildings, T2A, T2B, and T2C, serving domestic and non-Schengen destinations
- The airport is located within 9.3 miles of Barcelona's city centre

Barcelona's El Prat Airport is the second busiest airport in Spain
Barcelona's El Prat Airport, officially known as the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, is located 12-15 km southwest of the city centre. It is one of the busiest aviation hubs in Europe, serving both domestic and international flights. El Prat Airport is considered the second busiest airport in Spain and one of the largest on the Mediterranean coast. It is also the busiest airport in Catalonia, surpassing other airports in the region, including Girona, Reus, and Lleida.
The airport has two primary terminals, Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2), offering various facilities for passengers. Terminal 1 boasts a new robotic restaurant that utilizes artificial intelligence to manage and deliver orders efficiently. This innovative dining experience is powered by a robotic arm with a claw and tactile fingers. Terminal 1 also provides access to shops, a bureau de change, facilities for disabled individuals, left luggage services, lost property assistance, tourist information desks, and VIP lounges. Terminal 2 is equipped with shops, tourist information points, bureau de change services, VIP lounges, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
El Prat Airport caters to all major airlines, including both international carriers and low-cost providers. It has a rich history, serving as the headquarters of the Aeroclub of Catalonia and the base for the Spanish Navy's Zeppelin fleet. Commercial services commenced in 1927 with Iberia's inaugural route to Madrid Cuatro Vientos Airport. The airport underwent significant development in the 1990s, including the modernisation and expansion of Terminal B and the construction of Terminals A and C.
In recent news, El Prat Airport has faced challenges due to extreme weather conditions. Torrential rain caused flooding in the terminal and on one of the runways, leading to flight cancellations and delays. The airport operator, Aena, established a 'crisis committee' to address the impact of the heavy rainfall.
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The airport has two terminals, T1 and T2, which are not adjacent
Barcelona Airport, officially known as Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, is one of the largest airports in Spain and the second busiest. It is located within 9.3 miles of Barcelona's city centre. The airport has two terminals, T1 and T2, which are not adjacent. As a result, passengers travelling between the two terminals can take advantage of the free airport shuttle bus service. Terminal 1, which underwent a massive renovation in 2009, is the main terminal and primarily handles international and Schengen flights. Terminal 2, on the other hand, mostly serves domestic and non-Schengen destinations, as well as the majority of the airport's low-cost flights. It is spread over three interlinked sections, T2A, T2B, and T2C.
Both terminals offer a range of services and facilities. T1 features a car park with 9,000 spots, an express parking lot, and VIP and first-class services. It also has a bureau de change, facilities for people with disabilities, left luggage, lost property, restaurants, shopping, tourist information desks, and VIP lounges. T2 has a main car park with 8,000 parking spaces, an express parking facility, and valet services. In addition, T2 offers shops, tourist information points, a bureau de change, VIP lounges, and Wi-Fi.
In recent years, Barcelona Airport has undergone changes to cater to the needs of its passengers. For instance, Terminal T1 has welcomed new establishments, including Greenaway, a brand committed to a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, and Self, the first robotic restaurant that uses a robotic arm to manage and deliver orders efficiently. With its continuous improvements, Barcelona Airport remains a significant aviation hub in Europe, serving as a gateway to the beautiful Catalonian city.
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T1 has a robotic restaurant that uses a robotic arm to manage and deliver orders
Barcelona El Prat Airport has been experiencing issues due to extreme weather. There has been flooding in one of the terminals and on one of the runways, leading to flight cancellations and delays. In better news, the airport's Terminal 1 (T1) has recently opened a robotic restaurant, named 'SELF', which is the first of its kind in an airport setting.
The restaurant, powered by artificial intelligence, occupies 137 square metres and offers a unique dining experience for travellers. Orders are placed via automated kiosks, where customers receive a QR code for their order. The food is then prepared and delivered by a robotic arm with a claw and five tactile fingers, enhancing efficiency and adding a touch of theatre to the experience.
The menu at SELF caters to diverse tastes and dietary needs, offering freshly prepared items such as sandwiches, coffees, salads, poke bowls, juices, pastries, and desserts, alongside soft drinks. This innovative concept is the result of market research by Areas, the global travel restaurateur, in collaboration with Aena, the airport operator, to enhance the passenger experience with a technology-driven dining option.
The robotic arm, with its advanced AI capabilities and machine vision camera, empowers the restaurant to make real-time decisions and improve service quality. The design of the restaurant, created by Spanish studios, boasts a relaxed yet modern aesthetic. This cutting-edge addition to T1's offerings is a notable step forward in the integration of artificial intelligence into the travel F&B industry, providing a novel experience for travellers passing through Barcelona's T1.
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T2 has 3 buildings, T2A, T2B, and T2C, serving domestic and non-Schengen destinations
Barcelona Airport, also known as El Prat Airport, consists of two terminal buildings, T1 and T2. Terminal 2 is divided into three modules: T2A, T2B, and T2C. These modules are not connected internally via public areas but are connected through the boarding area for passengers. T2B's terminal lobby is divided into three areas: Terminal B, Olympic Terminal, and the Intermodal Building.
T2A does not have check-in counters, so check-in happens at T2B floor P0 and T2C floor P0 for easyJet companies and its subsidiary, easyJet Switzerland. Airlines with information desks on the ground floor include easyJet, in T2C near its check-in desks, and all other airlines in the main departures hall at T2B. Passengers can access the Fast Track/Fast Lane service at Barcelona airport to get through the Departures security checkpoints quickly and easily, which is convenient for those with access to a VIP lounge or those wanting to avoid crowded areas.
For families travelling with children, the airport has preferential access in the security filter for easy passage to the boarding area, located at Terminal 2, level 1, at the entrances to the boarding areas. Charging points for mobile phones and other devices are available in T2B and T2C for a small cost, and at least one of the cafes, possibly Deli & Cia, has electrical sockets available at the tables. A VIP lounge is located on the upper floor near gates U31-U41.
Shops, restaurants, cafes, fashion and accessories, bookstores, and souvenir shops are available in Terminal 2, mostly located in the departures area after the security checkpoints, but also in the arrivals area before security. The airport offers a free shuttle service that connects Terminals T1 and T2, with stops at Departures level 3 of T1, the T1 Arrivals area (level 0), the Departures of T2B, and the external road of T2C.
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The airport is located within 9.3 miles of Barcelona's city centre
Barcelona Airport, officially known as Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, is located within 9.3 miles of Barcelona's city centre. It is one of the largest airports in Spain and the second busiest, serving over 49.9 million passengers in 2023. The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2), which are not adjacent to each other, requiring passengers to use free shuttle services to travel between them. Terminal 1 is the primary terminal, catering to international and Schengen flights, while Terminal 2 primarily serves domestic, non-Schengen, and low-cost flights. Barcelona Airport offers a range of facilities, including shopping, dining, car rental, and public transportation options to and from the city centre.
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport has recently introduced innovative features such as the Greenaway brand on the first floor of Terminal T1, promoting sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices through its product offerings. Additionally, the airport now boasts the first robotic restaurant, Self, which employs artificial intelligence and a robotic arm to manage and deliver orders efficiently.
The airport is easily accessible from Barcelona's city centre through various transportation options. The Aerobus, or express bus, provides a direct connection to the city centre. Alternatively, passengers can opt for the airport bus, night bus N17 (NitBus), limousine service, shuttle bus between airport terminals, or car rental services. A taxi service is also available for added convenience.
In terms of parking, Terminal 1 offers a spacious car park with 9000 spots, including an Express Parking Lot and VIP and first-class services. Terminal 2 features a main car park with 8000 spaces, express parking, and valet services. For those seeking long-term parking, there is an option located within a 2-kilometre distance from the terminal buildings.
Barcelona Airport is a bustling hub, serving as a gateway to the beautiful Catalonian city. It accommodates a wide range of airlines, including Iberia, Vueling, Level, Air Nostrum, easyJet, and Ryanair, connecting travellers to numerous domestic, international, and intercontinental destinations. The airport's recent renaming honours the former Catalonian president, Josep Tarradellas.
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Frequently asked questions
The official name of Barcelona's main airport is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN).
Barcelona Airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 (T1) being the main one. T1 has a car park with 9000 spots, an express parking lot, and VIP and first-class services. T2 has a car park with 8000 spots, an express parking facility, and valet services. Terminal 1 also has a robotic restaurant that uses a robotic arm with a claw and five tactile fingers to manage and deliver orders. Both terminals have shops, tourist information points, bureau de change, VIP lounges, and adequate parking premises.
You can get from Barcelona Airport to the city centre by taxi, express bus (Aerobus), airport bus, night bus (NitBus), limousine service, shuttle bus, car rental, or metro.
To find out the status of your flight, contact your airline directly, check the Aena website, or call the Aena Customer Call Centre at +34 91 321 1000 (Spain) or +34 91 321 1000 (International).
As of November 2024, Barcelona Airport experienced severe flooding, with water pouring into Terminal 1 and affecting one of the runways. This resulted in flight cancellations and diversions, with Spain's national weather agency AEMET issuing a red warning for extreme danger due to torrential rain.



























