14 Best Airlines to Fly to Spain in 2026 (I’ve Tested 50+ Routes)

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Spain is my favorite country in Europe and I’ve been flying there for over a decade. Every year, I hunt for the best routes, the comfiest seats, and the smartest ways to use points and miles. I’ve dug into 50+ carriers, compared hundreds of routes from the US, UK, and across Europe, and pulled together the top 14 airlines that fly to Spain in 2026.

Some of these airlines will get you there for under £20. Others will tuck you into a lie flat bed with a glass of Rioja. I’ve included both because the best airline for your trip depends entirely on where you’re starting, what you’re willing to spend, and whether you care more about saving money or arriving rested. Let’s get into it!

Quick tip on how to find cheap flights to Spain

Looking for cheap flights to Spain right now? Before diving into all the airlines that fly to Spain, I first want to share a quick tip on how to save money on airfare.

For the past three years, I’ve used Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going) to get amazing flight deals. All you have to do is enter your home airport and where you want to go, and from there, they’ll send you mistake fares and other ridiculously cheap flight deals. And the coolest part? It’s 100% FREE! In 2024, I saved thousands of dollars from their email alerts. This includes most recently, a $329 roundtrip fare from Boston to Madrid.

There’s a free and a premium version – the free one has pretty much everything you’ll need. Though if you’re like me and travel a lot every year, it’s worth upgrading to the paid version for $49 per year. In my experience, you’ll get your money back after finding just one discounted flight! As such, I recommend signing up for the free trial (you can cancel at any time) to try it for yourself. And if you like it, be sure to use my coupon code JON20 to save 20%!

1. 🇪🇸 Iberia

• 🏠 Hub: Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD)
• ✈️ Best For: Direct flights from the US to Spain and easy connections to smaller Spanish cities
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy, Business
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Carry on included, checked bags vary by fare
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Iberia Plus (Avios), oneworld alliance member
• 💡 Pro Tip: Watch for their flash sales a few times a year where transatlantic fares drop by 30 to 40%

If you’re flying to Spain from the US, Iberia should be at the top of your list. They fly direct from New York JFK, Miami, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Dallas, Washington DC, and San Francisco straight into Madrid, which makes getting to Spain incredibly easy. From Madrid, you can connect to pretty much anywhere in Spain within an hour or two, whether that’s Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, or the Canary Islands.

I’ve flown Iberia a handful of times and always appreciated the Spanish touches onboard. The food leans Mediterranean with Spanish wines, and the crew feels warm. Iberia’s business class offers a fully flat bed, which makes a big difference on an overnight flight.

Iberia has been growing fast lately, and 2026 is no exception. They just added Newark starting in March, giving New York travelers three daily options, and they’re launching their first ever flights to Toronto in June. If you’ve got flexibility, that extra capacity means better chances of finding award seats or cheaper fares during peak summer.

Iberia uses Avios points, the same currency as British Airways and Aer Lingus. If you’ve collected Avios from credit cards or other flights, you can pool them together for one redemption. Off peak awards to Madrid can be a bargain if you book ahead.

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2. 🇶🇦 Qatar Airways

• 🏠 Hub: Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH)
• ✈️ Best For: Travelers who want a luxurious experience without paying first class prices
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy, Business (Qsuite), First Class on select routes
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Two checked bags included in most fares
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Privilege Club (Avios), oneworld alliance member
• 💡 Pro Tip: Use American AAdvantage miles to book Qsuite awards at 70,000 miles each way. Availability is surprisingly good if you search flexible dates

Let me be upfront about the tradeoff here. Qatar doesn’t fly direct to Spain from the US, so you’re connecting through Doha, which adds several hours to your journey. But if you’re willing to make that detour, you get access to what many consider the best business class in the sky. Their Qsuite product has private suites with closing doors, lie flat beds, and the option to turn middle seats into a double bed if you’re traveling with someone. It feels closer to first class than traditional business.

I’d pick Qatar over Emirates for one simple reason: consistency. Emirates is flashy and their A380 gets all the attention, but their Boeing 777 business class is just average. Qatar’s Qsuite delivers the same high quality experience whether you’re on an A350 or a 777, so you’re not playing seat roulette. The food is also noticeably better, and I don’t say that lightly.

From the US, Qatar flies to Doha from New York JFK, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and several other cities. From there, you can connect to Madrid, Barcelona, or Malaga. The Doha airport is enjoyable for a layover, and if you want to break up the trip, their stopover program lets you add a night or two in Qatar for surprisingly little money.

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3. 🇺🇸 United Airlines

• 🏠 Hub: Newark (EWR), plus Chicago, Washington Dulles, San Francisco
• ✈️ Best For: Accessing parts of Spain that other US airlines don’t serve
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy, Economy Plus, Premium Plus, Polaris Business
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Carry on included, checked bags extra on basic economy
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: MileagePlus (Star Alliance)
• 💡 Pro Tip: United flies to six Spanish destinations, more than any other US airline. If Madrid and Barcelona feel too obvious, check their routes to Bilbao, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca

No US airline flies to more places in Spain than United, and it’s not even close. While American and Delta stick mostly to Madrid and Barcelona, United has quietly built out a network that includes Bilbao, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, and starting May 2026, Santiago de Compostela. That last one is a big deal if you’re planning to walk the Camino de Santiago. It means you can fly directly to the finish line rather than connecting through Madrid or London.

However, most of these routes only run seasonally during summer, and the Santiago flight uses a Boeing 737 MAX 8 without lie flat seats. You’ll get a comfortable recliner in the front cabin, but if sleeping flat matters to you, stick with their Madrid or Barcelona routes where they use widebodies equipped with Polaris business class. It’s worth checking the aircraft type before you book.

I think United makes the most sense for travelers who know exactly where in Spain they’re headed and don’t want to waste half a day connecting. Flying direct to Malaga puts you right on the Costa del Sol, and Bilbao drops you into Basque Country without the hassle of a domestic flight. For the major cities, Iberia and American are equally good options, but for regional Spain, United owns that space.

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4. 🇺🇸 American Airlines

• 🏠 Hub: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), New York JFK
• ✈️ Best For: Travelers who want the most US gateway options to Madrid and Barcelona
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Flagship Business
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Carry on included, checked bags extra on basic economy
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: AAdvantage (oneworld alliance)
• 💡 Pro Tip: American and Iberia share a transatlantic partnership, so you can often mix and match flights on both airlines using AAdvantage miles

American flies to Spain from more US cities than any other American carrier. If you live near Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Chicago, or New York, you can get a direct flight to Madrid or Barcelona without positioning to another hub first. That’s useful if you hate connections or want to start your trip as soon as you leave your home airport.

I’ll be honest though, American has historically lagged behind Delta and United when it comes to business class. The older seats were fine but nothing special, and the soft product felt a bit assembly line. That changed in late 2024 when they started rolling out their new Flagship Suite with closing doors, and I’ve heard consistently good things from people who’ve tried it. The catch is you need to check which aircraft you’re getting because the new product is only on certain 787-9s so far.

The partnership with Iberia is worth understanding if you’re into points and miles. Both airlines are in oneworld and share routes to Spain, which means you can book American metal with British Airways Avios or use AAdvantage miles on Iberia. If you find award space on one but not the other, search both. The Iberia business class on their A350 is arguably nicer than older American planes, so if both are available at similar times, I’d personally lean toward the Iberia option unless you specifically want the new Flagship Suite.

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5. 🇺🇸 Delta Air Lines

• 🏠 Hub: Atlanta (ATL), New York JFK, Boston (BOS), Seattle (SEA)
• ✈️ Best For: West Coast travelers and anyone who values reliable operations over everything else
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy, Comfort+, Premium Select, Delta One
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Carry on included, checked bags extra unless you hold elite status
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: SkyMiles (SkyTeam alliance)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Check the aircraft type before booking business class. Delta One suites on the A350 are excellent, but the older 767 seats are genuinely disappointing

Delta tends to divide opinion among frequent flyers. Some swear by them for their industry leading punctuality and smooth operations. Others find the SkyMiles program frustrating and the lounges overcrowded. My take is somewhere in the middle, but for Spain specifically, Delta is worth considering if you live on the West Coast or in Boston.

The big news for 2026 is the Seattle to Barcelona route launching in May. This is huge if you’re based in the Pacific Northwest because until now, getting to Spain from Seattle meant connecting through another hub first. The flight runs three times weekly on an Airbus A330neo, which is one of their newer planes with the better Delta One product. Boston is also getting a new nonstop to Madrid in May, which gives East Coasters another solid option alongside JetBlue and Iberia.

Here’s where I’d be cautious though. Delta’s business class experience varies wildly depending on which plane you get. Their A350 suites with sliding doors are competitive with the best airlines in the world. But they still fly older Boeing 767s on some transatlantic routes, and those seats are cramped and dated. Always check the aircraft type on your specific flight before booking. If it says 767, you might want to look at alternatives.

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6. 🇺🇸 JetBlue

• 🏠 Hub: Boston Logan (BOS), New York JFK
• ✈️ Best For: Travelers who want a premium experience without the stuffiness of legacy carriers
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Core (economy), Even More Space, Mint (business class)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Carry on included, first checked bag from $35
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: TrueBlue (partners with United through Blue Sky alliance)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Book the Mint suites in rows two or four if you can. These have the private doors and significantly more space than the other rows

JetBlue only started flying to Europe in 2021, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they’re playing catch up. Their Mint business class consistently beats what American, Delta, and United offer, and I’m not the only one saying that. The lie flat suites have closing doors, the food is designed by New York restaurateurs, and the whole experience feels less corporate and more human.

For Spain specifically, JetBlue flies from Boston to Madrid and is adding Barcelona in April 2026. They don’t serve Spain from New York yet, so this really is a New England focused operation. If you live in the Northeast but not near Boston, you’ll need to weigh whether positioning to Logan is worth it versus flying a legacy carrier from your home airport. For many people, the answer is yes, especially when Mint fares often undercut Delta One and American Flagship by a few hundred dollars.

The downsides are worth knowing. JetBlue’s Spain routes are seasonal, running roughly April through October, so winter trips are out. They fly narrow body A321s rather than wide bodies, which means a smaller cabin and fewer seats. And until recently, they had no lounges at all, though that’s finally changing with new facilities opening at JFK and Boston in 2026. If you can live with those trade offs, JetBlue offers something the big airlines struggle to match: an enjoyable flight where the crew seems to like their jobs!

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7. 🇬🇧 British Airways

• 🏠 Hub: London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), London City (LCY)
• ✈️ Best For: Connecting through London to reach parts of Spain that US airlines don’t serve
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Club Suite (business), First
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Depends on fare type, basic fares are hand luggage only
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Executive Club (Avios), oneworld alliance
• 💡 Pro Tip: BA guarantees four business class award seats on every long haul flight when the schedule opens. If you’re flexible on dates, off peak redemptions to Madrid can cost as little as 50,000 Avios each way

British Airways won’t be the fastest way to get from the US to Madrid or Barcelona, but it might be the smartest if you know how to use their network. They fly to over 20 Spanish destinations from various London airports, including places like Bilbao, Seville, Valencia, Granada, and the Canary Islands that US carriers don’t reach. If your final destination isn’t one of the big two cities, a quick connection through Heathrow can save you hours compared to flying into Madrid and then backtracking domestically.

The elephant in the room with BA is that they still have two completely different business class products flying simultaneously. The newer Club Suite has closing doors, lie flat beds, and feels premium. The older Club World seat is cramped, lacks privacy, and frankly isn’t worth paying for. Before you book anything, check the aircraft type. You want the A350, 787-10, or retrofitted 777-300ER. Avoid the A380 and older 787-9s until their cabin refresh completes sometime in 2026.

I’d also be upfront about the taxes. BA charges significant fuel surcharges on award tickets, which can add $500 or more to a redemption. But if you’re strategic about it, the Avios program still offers genuine value. You can transfer points from Chase, Amex, and Capital One, and the off peak award chart means a business class seat to Spain can cost less than what Delta or United charge for a similar redemption. Just go in with your eyes open about those fees.

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8. 🇫🇷 Air France

• 🏠 Hub: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
• ✈️ Best For: Points and miles enthusiasts who want the best value on business class redemptions
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, La Première (First)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: One checked bag included on most transatlantic fares
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Flying Blue (SkyTeam), shared with KLM
• 💡 Pro Tip: Flying Blue releases Promo Rewards every month with 25% off select routes. Business class from the US to Europe can drop to 45,000 miles one way during these promotions

Air France isn’t the most obvious choice for getting to Spain since you’re connecting through Paris rather than flying direct. But here’s why I think they deserve a spot on this list: their Flying Blue program is one of the best for booking premium cabin awards. Plus, Paris CDG connects to ten Spanish cities including Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, Seville, Valencia, Malaga, and the islands.

The monthly Promo Rewards are what make Flying Blue special. Every month, they discount select routes by 25%, and sometimes business class from the US shows up on that list. When it does, you’re looking at 45,000 miles one way for a lie flat seat to Paris, then a quick hop to Spain. Flying Blue transfers from Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt, so chances are you already have points that work. Compare that to the 70,000 or 80,000 miles that Delta or United typically charge, and the math starts to make sense even with the connection.

The onboard experience is excellent. Their A350 and retrofitted 777-300ER business class seats have sliding doors and lie flat beds, and the food has a distinctly French quality. The Paris lounge is excellent if you have time to enjoy it. My one gripe is that CDG can be a confusing airport to connect through, especially if you’re changing terminals. Give yourself at least 90 minutes for connections, and don’t be surprised if you end up on a bus between terminals.

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9. 🇦🇪 Emirates

• 🏠 Hub: Dubai International (DXB)
• ✈️ Best For: Travelers from Asia, Australia, or the Middle East, plus anyone who wants the A380 experience
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy (select routes), Business, First
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Generous allowances across all cabins
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Skywards (independent, not part of any alliance)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Emirates offers free chauffeur service to and from the airport in most cities for business and first class passengers. It’s a useful perk that other airlines don’t match

Emirates gets a lot of attention for its glamorous branding, but it doesn’t make sense for everyone flying to Spain. If you’re on the US East Coast, routing through Dubai adds hours to your journey when Iberia, United, and American all fly direct. However, if you’re coming from Asia, Australia, India, or anywhere in the Middle East, Dubai sits conveniently on the way and Emirates suddenly becomes one of the most logical options for reaching Madrid or Barcelona.

The A380 experience is what Emirates is famous for, and they fly it to both Spanish cities. The onboard bar, the massive cabin, the shower spa in first class: it’s memorable in a way that US carriers simply can’t replicate. Emirates’ business class on the A380 is solid, though I’d argue Qatar’s Qsuite is more private and better for sleeping. Where Emirates really shines is first class, which feels closer to a private jet than a commercial flight. If you’ve never flown it and have the miles or the budget, it’s worth doing once just for the experience.

For 2026, Emirates added a third daily flight to Barcelona, which improves connection options from their Dubai hub. They’re also rolling out the A350 on select routes, though Spain will likely continue seeing A380 service given the demand. One thing worth knowing is that Emirates isn’t part of any airline alliance, which makes earning and redeeming miles more complicated than with oneworld or SkyTeam carriers. If you’re building status with another program, flying Emirates doesn’t help that goal.

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10. 🇩🇪 Lufthansa

• 🏠 Hubs: Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC)
• ✈️ Best For: Reaching smaller Spanish cities via Germany’s efficient connection hubs
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First (select routes)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Varies by fare class
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Miles & More (Star Alliance)
• 💡 Pro Tip: If you collect United miles, you can redeem them on Lufthansa flights to Spain, often at better availability than booking United metal directly

Lufthansa connects to 14 Spanish cities from their German hubs, which makes them worth considering if you’re headed somewhere beyond Madrid or Barcelona. Places like Bilbao for the Guggenheim, Seville for flamenco, or the Canary Islands for winter sun are all easily reachable with one connection through Frankfurt or Munich. Instead of flying to Madrid and then booking a separate domestic flight, you can get there on a single ticket with your bags checked through.

The actual flying experience depends entirely on which plane you get. Lufthansa recently introduced their new Allegris business class with private suites and impressive technology, but it’s only on a handful of aircraft flying out of Munich. Most of their fleet still has older seats that feel dated compared to what you’d find on Delta or United these days. If business class matters to you, check the aircraft type before booking and look for A350 routes from Munich.

Lufthansa is part of Star Alliance, which means you can earn and redeem United MileagePlus miles on their flights. You can also transfer Chase, Amex, and Capital One points to their Miles & More program, though award availability can be tricky to find. I find Lufthansa most useful when the fare is competitively priced or when I need to reach a Spanish city that US airlines simply don’t serve.

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11. 🇪🇸 Air Europa

• 🏠 Hub: Madrid (MAD)
• ✈️ Best For: Budget conscious travelers who want a Spanish airline experience without Iberia prices
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy, Business
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Included on long haul, varies on short haul fares
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: SUMA (SkyTeam alliance)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Air Europa often prices transatlantic flights $100 to $200 cheaper than Iberia on the same route. If you’re flexible on which Spanish carrier you fly, check both before booking

Most Americans have never heard of Air Europa, but it’s actually Spain’s third largest airline and flies direct to Madrid from both Miami and New York. They operate Boeing 787 Dreamliners on their US routes, the fares tend to run cheaper than Iberia, and because they’re part of SkyTeam you can earn Delta miles on every flight. If you want a comfortable way to fly to Spain without overpaying, Air Europa deserves a serious look.

Air Europa’s business class situation requires some homework before you book. Their older 787s have a 2-2-2 configuration where you might not get direct aisle access, while their newer aircraft feature proper 1-2-1 seating with lie flat beds. The problem is you won’t always know which one you’re getting until closer to departure because Air Europa swaps aircraft fairly often. If business class is your plan, I’d call ahead or check the seat map a few days before travel to see which configuration you’re flying.

Once you land in Madrid, Air Europa’s domestic network is handy for continuing onward to the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, or cities like Bilbao and Seville on a single ticket. Their hub at Madrid Barajas is smaller and less chaotic than connecting through a mega hub like Paris or London. If you’re planning a multi city Spain trip and want everything on one booking, they’re worth considering alongside Iberia and Vueling.

12. 🇪🇸 LEVEL

• 🏠 Base: Barcelona (BCN)
• ✈️ Best For: Budget travelers who want cheap nonstop flights between the US and Barcelona
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy (no business class)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Basic fare is carry on only, checked bags and seat selection cost extra
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Earns Avios through Iberia
• 💡 Pro Tip: Boston departures are often $50 to $100 cheaper than New York. If you’re flexible, it’s worth checking both cities before booking

Most people have never heard of LEVEL, but it consistently offers the cheapest nonstop flights from the US to Barcelona. They fly direct from New York, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and I regularly see round trip fares under $400. The base fare only includes your seat and a small personal item, so checked bags, seat selection, and meals cost extra. But even with add-ons, LEVEL usually comes out cheaper than competitors like Iberia and United.

Unlike most budget airlines that cram you into narrow body jets, LEVEL flies wide body Airbus A330s across the Atlantic. The cabin feels more spacious, and they offer a Premium Economy section with extra legroom and included meals if you want more comfort without business class prices. There’s no lie flat option, so this isn’t the choice if sleeping matters, but for saving money it does the job well.

LEVEL became fully independent in December 2025 and is adding an eighth aircraft in 2026 along with new Lima service in June. You earn Avios points on every flight since they’re part of the IAG family with Iberia and British Airways. If Barcelona is your goal and budget is your priority, check LEVEL before booking anything else.

13. 🇪🇸 Vueling

• 🏠 Hub: Barcelona (BCN), with bases in Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, London Gatwick
• ✈️ Best For: Europeans looking for cheap, frequent flights to Spain from major cities
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy only (extra legroom seats available for a fee)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Basic fare includes only a small personal item, bags cost extra
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Vueling Club (earns Avios, same as British Airways and Iberia)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Buy your checked bag when you book rather than at the airport, as prices can jump by 50% if you wait

If you’re flying to Spain from elsewhere in Europe, Vueling should be near the top of your list. They connect over 100 cities across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East directly to Barcelona, Madrid, and other Spanish destinations, often at prices that undercut the legacy carriers significantly. Skytrax named them Best Low Cost Airline in Spain for 2025, and from personal experience they run a tighter operation than Ryanair with less chaos at the gate.

The flights themselves are basic but comfortable enough for short hops. Seats are snug at 29 inches of pitch, though you can pay for extra legroom rows if that bothers you. Unlike most budget airlines, Vueling planes have USB ports and wifi, which makes a real difference on longer European routes.

Because Vueling is owned by IAG alongside British Airways and Iberia, every flight earns Avios points you can pool and use across all three airlines. For 2026, they’re adding 13 new routes and expanding service from the UK, France, and Italy. If you’re starting your Spain trip from somewhere in Europe and want reliable, affordable flights without the ultra low cost carrier chaos, Vueling hits a nice middle ground.

14. 🇭🇺 Wizz Air

• 🏠 Bases: London Luton, Budapest, and 50+ others across Europe
• ✈️ Best For: UK and Eastern European travelers seeking ultra cheap fares to Spain
• 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy only
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Only a small personal item included, everything else costs extra
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Wizz Discount Club (subscription model, not miles based)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Wizz fares look incredible until you add bags and seats. Calculate your total cost with extras before comparing to other airlines

Wizz Air is the Hungarian ultra low cost carrier that competes directly with Ryanair on price, and in 2026 they’re making a serious push into Spain. Starting March 29, they’re launching five new routes from London Luton to Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, Valencia, and Seville, with fares starting around £18 each way. For UK travelers who don’t mind flying from Luton instead of Heathrow or Gatwick, these prices are hard to beat.

The catch with Wizz is that base fares include almost nothing. You get a small bag that fits under the seat and that’s it, so add ons for cabin bags, checked luggage, and seat selection can quickly double or triple your ticket price. They also fly newer Airbus A321neo aircraft, which are more fuel efficient but have tight 28 inch seat pitch. For short flights it’s fine, but manage your expectations.

Where Wizz really shines is connecting Eastern and Central Europe to Spain. They’re ramping up Budapest to Barcelona service to 16 weekly flights in 2026 and adding new routes from cities like Sofia and Tirana. If you’re coming from Poland, Hungary, Romania, or the Balkans, Wizz likely offers the cheapest and most direct path to Spanish beaches and cities.