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Barcelona Airport Flight Delays and Cancellations: Live Updates

If you have suffered a flight delay or cancellation, or got denied boarding by an airline at Barcelona International Airport Recently Disrupted Flights, you may have the right to compensation of up to €600 per person.
AirAdvisor makes it easy for you to claim compensation. Filing a claim does not entail any risk or advance cost, as AirAdvisor only gets a success fee commission from payment received from the airline. The service is free, if compensation is not collected.

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Nicolle Harwood-Nash
Last Updated: January 21, 2025

Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport

El Prat Airport, officially known as Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport, is a modern and well-equipped international airport that's the second-largest airport in Spain and one of the busiest airports in Europe. It serves as a hub for multiple airlines including Ryanair, Iberia, Air Europe and Vueling. If you've recently had an inconvenient experience as a passenger travelling from Barcelona Airport, this article is for you.

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Did you know that one of the busiest airport El Prat Airport holds the 6th place in our Top-10 list of the best airports in the world? Barcelona Airport's performance across various parameters falls within the upper-middle range, justifying its position in the AirAdvisor world airport ranking.

While compensation is available for a range of airport disruptions, claiming it is not always the most straightforward of processes. Luckily, you can lean on us at AirAdvisor to help you navigate the process and receive the compensation you're entitled to. In this article, we focus on the various forms of compensation you can claim as an El Prat passenger, and how to claim them.

Barcelona Cancelled Flight Compensation & Refund

How to Claim Barcelona Airport Flight Delay Compensation

Below, you can explore the details about flight delay compensation at El Prat, including what your rights are in the case of a delayed flight and how much compensation you can be eligible to claim:

Passenger Rights in Case of BCN Flight Delay

If you're travelling from Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport (BCN) and experience a flight delay in excess of 3 hours, you may be entitled to assistance or able to claim compensation under European Union (EU) law, specifically EU Regulation 261/2004. These rights apply to all flights departing from an EU airport or arriving in the EU on an EU airline, regardless of your nationality, as a passenger. Below, you can explore a list of the eligibility criteria for delayed flight compensation:

  1. The delay must have been the airline's fault, for example, a technical aircraft issue or crew scheduling problem.
  2. The delay must have been a minimum of 3 hours.
  3. The delay must not have been a result of an issue outside of the airline's control, for instance, severe weather, political unrest or a natural disaster.
  4. You must have arrived at your final destination at least 3 hours late.
  5. You must claim compensation within 3 years of the delayed flight.

Early claims have an 72% higher chance of payoutAct now before your claim expires.Check Your Flight

How Much Can You Claim for BCN Delay

When considering how much you can claim for a Barcelona Airport flight delay, it's important to note that the amount you can claim depends on the distance of your flight and how long the delay lasted. For example, if your flight was less than 1,500 km, you can be eligible for €250 in compensation for a delay or three or more hours. Typically, you can claim up to €600, depending on the circumstances surrounding your delay.

If your flight is delayed by two hours, for instance, you're not eligible for financial compensation, but the airline must provide you with food and drink, access to communication and accommodation if necessary.

Delay time

Flight Distance

Compensation Amount

3 or more hours

< 1,500 km

 €250

3 hours, or more 

1,500-3,500 km

 €400

3 or more hours

> 3,500 km

 €600*

Less than 3 hours

 Not eligible for compensation

El Prat Barcelona Cancelled Flight Compensation & Refund

Flight cancellations are an unfortunate but common occurrence at airports worldwide, and BCN Airport is no exception. Flights can be cancelled due to various reasons, for example:

  • aircraft technical issues that make flying unsafe
  • crew shortages, for instance, pilots or cabin crew being unable to work
  • adverse weather conditions like snow or strong winds that make it impossible to take off or land safely
  • issues with air traffic control, like equipment failure or strikes
  • security threats, such as terrorist activity or the discovery of suspicious packages
  • natural disasters, such as hurricanes or earthquakes
  • civil unrest or political instability, for example, protests or riots
  • complex maintenance problems that require lengthy resolution
  • unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical emergency on board or a passenger refusing to comply with safety regulations
  • operational difficulties, including mismanagement or scheduling errors

If your flight departing from El Prat Airport is cancelled, you may be entitled to cancelled flight compensation as well as a ticket refund, depending on the nature of the cancellation.

Need help with a refund claim?All you have to do is submit the application and wait for the compensation to be received.Check Your Flight

Cancelled Flight Law in Europe

In the event of a cancelled flight at Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport, you're covered under European flight law. There's a requirement for airlines, under EU261, to offer you the choice of a full refund of your ticket or an alternative flight to your destination, if they cancel your flight for any reason.

Whether you receive compensation on top of a refund or rebooking depends on the circumstances of the cancellation. For example, if an airline cancels your flight out of Barcelona Airport for reasons within their control and within 14 days of departure, you're likely eligible to claim compensation. Additionally, the airline must provide you with basic amenities, such as food and drink, access to communication, and accommodation if necessary.

Barcelona Airport Flight Delay Compensation

Barcelona BCN Cancelled Flight Compensation You Can Claim

If the reason for your cancelled flight at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona El Prat Airport was the airline's fault, you may be eligible to claim up to €600 in compensation per person. The exact amount you receive depends on the length of the delay and the flight distance, with passengers on shorter flights under 1, 500 km eligible for up to €250 and longer flights over 3,500 km eligible for up to €600.

Flight Distance

Length of Delay

Compensation




Less than 1,500 km

Arrives less than 2 hours at final destination

€125

Arrives more than 2 hours at final destination

€250




Flights 1,500-3,500 km

Departs 2+ hours earlier than original flight and lands less than 3 hours later than original flight (at final destination)

€200

Departs more than 2 hours before your original flight and arrives 3+ hours later 

€400





Flights over 3,500 km

Departs less than 1 hour earlier than your original flight and arrives at your final destination under 4 hours from original flight

€300

Arrives at final destination 4+ hours later than original flight

€600

Denied Boarding at Barcelona-El Prat

If you're denied boarding at Barcelona International Airport due to overbooking by the airline, you may be eligible for financial compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. This regulation guarantees that, if you're travelling within the EU, you have the right to receive a refund of your ticket cost or to be rerouted to your destination, as well as potentially receive free meals, accommodation and telephone access. The amount of compensation ranges from €250 to €600, depending on the distance of your journey and the specifics surrounding the denied boarding.

Note, airlines aren't required to pay compensation if the denied boarding was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, such as a natural disaster.

Claim Barcelona-El Prat Airport Compensation With AirAdvisor

At AirAdvisor, we acknowledge that flight disturbances can cause significant inconvenience for individuals departing from Barcelona Airport, whether they relate to delays, cancellations or boarding denial. As such, we have a commitment to ensuring the process of claiming compensation for flight disruptions through us is as easy and stress-free as possible. Our expertise and dedication mean you can rest assured, knowing we're dedicated to working tirelessly to help you receive the compensation you deserve.

With our straightforward online claim form, all we require from you is for you to enter your flight details and any other relevant information. We'll take care of the rest, from evaluating your case to handling the legal process on your behalf.

AirAdvisor operates on a "no win, no fee" basis, so you'll only be charged if you receive compensation for your flight disruption. This fee covers all legal and administrative costs related to your claim. We believe that this "no win, no fee" allows for a fair and transparent process for everyone involved.

We work on a No-Win, No-Fee basisAirAdvisor is happy to help with your claim, so you can avoid the stress of dealing with airlines and complicated laws.Check Your Flight

Barcelona Airport BCN Questions and Answers

Below, you can explore some FAQs about Barcelona-El Prat flight disruptions:

Why do flights get delayed at Barcelona Airport?

There can be many reasons, however, air traffic control restrictions, late aircraft arrivals and technical issues are three of the most common reasons for flight delays at this Spanish airport.

How do I claim compensation if my flight from El Prat was delayed or cancelled?

If you experience a delay or cancellation of your flight at Barcelona BCN, you can either try to pursue compensation from the airline yourself, or you can opt to enlist the help of AirAdvisor's expert team to handle your claim.

What to do if I am denied boarding at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona El Prat Airport?

If you're denied boarding at Barcelona Airport, your first step should be to ask the airline for an explanation, preferably in writing. Common reasons for boarding denial include overbooking or the passenger not meeting travel document requirements. If the airline is responsible for your boarding denial, you may be eligible for compensation under EU261.

Be sure to keep all relevant documentation to support your claim. If you encounter any difficulties when rescheduling your flight or getting a refund after boarding denial, AirAdvisor can help you.

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