Barcelona to London Iberia Flights

  About Barcelona

Snuggled up by the Mediterranean Sea on the coast of Spain is the beautiful city of Barcelona. The Mediterranean metropolis is one of the largest in Spain and has global recognition as one of the best cities to vacation at. Barcelona is a world leader in the tourism, financial and cultural industries with a tremendous contribution towards fields of sports, entertainment, arts, fashion and science. Barcelona has excellent connectivity with various other European cities via domestic and international routes. In fact, through the port, many cities can actually reach Barcelona, in style.

The bustling energy of the city is something that can only be experienced in person and not just in movies. Barcelona's fervent atmosphere will marvel you, as will the enthusiasm of the locals.

Best time to visit Barcelona

Barcelona is a town of celebration which sees lovely hues and carnivals irrespective of the sticky humidity. The months from May to June are when the temperatures act extra favourable to the tourists and even the residents of the city. With temperatures close to 22 degree Celsius, the summers certainly add more charm to the place. Witness a flurry of festivities that envelop the city as the onset of summer brings varied hues with it. For people travelling from hotter countries, the weather would certainly be a treat. Thanks to the numerous carnivals that take place in the city during springtime, it definitely adds more reasons to visit Barcelona in the said season. Events such as Verbene de Sant Joan and Sonar are some of the festivals that you would enjoy during spring. Although the tourism activities drop come September, the temperature is quite pleasant as it ranges from 20 degree Celsius to 23 degree Celsius. With rains taking over the city, not many tourists are able to visit the beach. Being a coastal delight to many, the lack of beach time automatically reduces the tourist potential.

The summers easily become a high point in Barcelona's tourism. The months July and August especially see a throng of tourists relishing the Mediterranean sun while they hit the lush beaches. Due to this being the peak season, it is obviously going to come with some expensive flight tickets and accommodations. Events such as El Grec and Festa Major de Gracia further attract more tourists to the city. If you want a relaxing vacation which also falls under a good budget, spring is the time for you to fly to Barcelona. The city has exquisite accommodations and even Bnbs. You can book hotels in Barcelona's luxury hotels such as Almanac, W, Mandarin Oriental, The Serras, etc., or go for backpacking and check in to hostels. Either way, you will receive excellent treatment as the staff in Barcelona are quite friendly and happy-to-go.

Places to visit in Barcelona

Barcelona's beaches and coasts might take up most of your attention but do give the city's Catalan-styled infrastructure a peek too. The city has ornate churches, parks, museums and of course, sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea will marvel you. You can simply walk through the beautiful streets of Barcelona and check out some of their whimsical structures. Some of the flamboyant places to visit in the city include Park Güell, La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló. While you're venturing out to check out the city, do not miss Barri Gótic, which translates to the Gothic Quarter. These are the oldest parts of the city. The scenic city streets with alfresco cafes and clubs will definitely get your attention. To see the works of famed artist Pablo Picasso, visit the famed museum Museu Picasso, also located in the city. For the tourists who love the sport football and have a soft spot for FC Barcelona, visiting Camo Nu Stadium should be on your list of places to visit. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Barcelona's Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music) will amaze you with stellar acoustics and architectural features.

Things to do in Barcelona

La Barceloneta Beach is undoubtedly the best and the most popular beach in Barcelona that you should check out. There are various water sport activities that take place on the beach, which would entertain you. You can even take surfing sessions or parasailing, to name a few activities. The beach also has some amazing restaurants and food establishments where you will find lip-smacking seafood. While you're having fun at the beach, you should also sign up for a wine tour, especially if it's harvest season. Not only will you get to relish some of the finest wines made in the country, but you'll also get to interact with people from different parts of the world. The city also has a great nightlife with pubs and parties, some even held at the beach. A walk down Las Ramblas will be a fun experience for you since they have some amazing shops for souvenirs and local artworks.

Food and restaurants in Barcelona

Barcelona's cuisine is a perfect melange of traditional Spanish and Mediterranean dishes. From delicious gazpachos to Catalonian classics, you will get the best food experience in Barcelona. There is a lot of history infused in their cuisine which makes their food, a trip of its own. While the rest of Spain is big on dishes made from meat, the Catalonian food has more fish as the base for meals. It would help you tremendously to know what to expect in terms of food in Barcelona. With heavy investment in meat, you should make sure that you have enough room to try their varied cuisine. Catalans have a thing for mixing meat and experimenting with the flavours of diverse meat. It shouldn't surprise you to see chicken and prawns being served to you on a platter. That is just the way they roll. Paella is, of course, the biggest seller in terms of Spanish food in Barcelona. In fact, even Fideuà, a type of paella, is a rage in Barcelona and something you should try. The food culture is another reason why Barcelona stands at a high rank in the list of best places to visit in the world.

While they do love their meat, the food served in Barcelona also sees a nice balance of grilled vegetables nestled against marinated meat. Vegetarians need not worry as there are dishes for your taste buds as well. One traditional dish that you should definitely check out is the escalivada, grilled eggplant tossed with red peppers, olive oil and garlic. Another recipe for the vegetarian folks is the pa amb tomàquet snack, which is basically a bread topped with crushed tomatoes, olive oil and garlic. Make sure to save some room for desserts as well. Savouries such as Mel i mató (extracted from goat cheese) to Cava (Catalan sparkling wine), these dishes complement the classic Catalan rendition of creme brulee, also known as crema Catalana. Some of the best places to indulge in the Catalan and Spanish cuisine are La Patsa Lab, The Coffee House Barcelona, BelleBuon, Billy Brunch. You can further explore more taste at Pizzeria Da Nanni Barcelona, Manna Gelats, Chaka Khan, La Cava Cakery, Don Kilo Restaurant, Teoric Taverna Gastronomica, to name a few.

How to reach Barcelona

By Air

Located on the South coast of Spain, the city can best be reached via air. There are many international routes connected to Barcelona via air, making travelling convenient. Barcelona El Prat International airport has brilliant flight connectivity from Barcelona to major international cities, including India. Although there are no direct flights to Barcelona from India, many flights connecting to the Spanish city with layovers in London, Zurich, Munich, Singapore, to name a few. As one of the biggest tourist attractions in Spain, the city of Barcelona sees a good number of tourists throughout the year. Flight tickets to Barcelona from India are a little expensive, especially round trips. However, if you manage to book your flight tickets beforehand, you might find some great online flight deals to Barcelona. This might even help you cover your accommodation expenses. As a city catering to tourists, often the hospitality and accommodation prices are quite steep. However, as long as you make prior hotel bookings in Barcelona, you will not have much to worry about. You can either opt for luxury stays or go for hostels and homestays.

By Rail

Flight tickets to Barcelona from India could be expensive since it is a high-priced city, to begin with. However, the flight tickets to Madrid from India are comparatively very cheap and affordable. What you can do as a substitute to save up on some euros and get the best of both cities would be to fly to Madrid and use Madrid's domestic rail route to Barcelona. There are many trains to Barcelona from Madrid, Malaga, Zaragoza, Seville and Valencia. Not to mention how Barcelona also has impeccable train connectivity to French cities such as Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse and more.

By Sea

Considering how it is of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona has great connectivity from the sea as well. There are many ships and cruises that connect the city with other European cities such as Rome, Nice, Marseilles, Corsica, Sardinia and more. If you are planning to backpack across Western Europe, then taking a boat or ferry ride to Barcelona from one of these city ports would be a fun voyage. Not to mention how you'll have a good time cruising the Mediterranean Sea.

  About London

London is recognised to be one of the most famous cities in the world, known to be the capital of the United Kingdom. It is also known to be one of the most expensive cities in the world. London is a city that has traversed through time to see history in the making. Much like New York City, London is also recognised as one of the biggest economic, cultural, political, education, finance, healthcare and more. London is also raved to host some of the biggest names in the education business.

Best time to visit London

London is known to be rather dreary with a dull climate that takes up most of the year. However, the spring season in London is lovely and something you'll definitely fancy. March through May are months where the city breathes air under the bright sun sans the clouds. The temperatures are between 10 degree Celsius to 17 degree Celsius, which makes for a perfect vacation. It does manage to grab the attention of potential tourists from within the UK as well as internationally. The late spring and summers in London especially get a lot of tourists. Not to mention how the city also thrives with amazing festivals such as Virgin Money London Marathon, Museums at Night State Opening of Parliament, London Coffee Festival, St Patrick's Day Festival and Parade, to name a few. This time in the city is simply super pleasant and something that many tourists would want to experience. You can further see many gardens and parks blossom while the summer makes its way within the city. Of course, it also comes at a rather harsh cost which will affect your pockets. The hotel prices in London during peak season is just as expensive. Thanks to the humongous crowd that the city witnesses, it is not surprising that the hotels and accommodations also spike up their charges.

Prior booking of hotels in London will help you deal with this conundrum. However, the packed streets and city bustle could be a tad bit annoying. Considering how London is a big city with streets always full of people, it is something you're going to have to adjust with. September to November also sees a considerable number of tourists in the city as the fall weather is just as pristine. The autumn foliage forms quite a scenery that travellers would appreciate. The hotel accommodations are also decently priced. You might even get cheap hotel rooms in London during this time. It is essential that no matter which season you choose to visit London, there is going to be some amount of rain. Basically, you will have to pack in such a way that you are able to show off your winter wardrobe and at the same time protect them from the rainy weather. Rains in London are notorious and have a mind of their own. It often starts showering when you least expect. Hence, an umbrella would be the best companion for you during your London trip.

Places to visit in London

As one of the biggest metropolitan cities in the world, London has far too many tourist attractions within the city. It does house the royals, after all. You can start your trip by checking out the famous British Museum, which is an archaeological treasure trove. You can further go ahead and visit the Tower of London, an important structure in the city. Learn about its historical significance because it is quite interesting. Without a doubt, the Buckingham Palace should be on your list as it is where the royals of the UK live. It is the London home of Queen Elizabeth II and has its gates open for tourists. Westminster Abbey is another beautiful and archaic church which is known for the weddings and coronations of the many royals of the UK. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are posh and relaxed areas in the city where you can visit to relax. While you're here, do not miss the National Gallery, comprising of a labyrinth interior that would certainly intrigue you. The Tower Bridge has found itself in several movies by now and should be on your travel list too.

Things to do in London

The city has far too many places that would attract tourists for shopping. The Camden Market would be a good place to start the excursion. This market caters to over 200 stalls and has everything one looks for in London. The West End Theatre District is an astounding place that is quite the rendition of New York city's recognised Broadway. Several big production houses and artists flock over to put up their shows, and you should witness them all. Piccadilly Circus is another lively part of the city, basically the heart of London, where you can indulge in street shopping or bar hopping. You will be thoroughly entertained by the lights and life of the city. Speaking of which, pub crawls are a big thing that happens in London, something you should totally try as they are fun. Plus, it would be a great way to network with people and return home with some fine memories.

Food and Restaurants in London

London's staple food fish and chips, bangers and mash and mince meat pies. However, over the years, the city has managed to upscale its culinary establishments to encourage a plethora of global cuisine. The city now houses the classic British cuisine and the curry magic from the Indian kitchen. With so many choices to pick from, the city only gets better for a foodie. It is important that you know where you should go when in London. The best way to do that would be to opt for a food tour, which is available in the city. In London, high tea experiences are a big deal, and you should definitely get some of that action. The Langham, London, Claridge or even The Lanesborough, are some establishments that would give you the experience that you seek. Make sure to book prior reservations and dress up for the outing. If you've got enough pounds in your pockets and wish to further explore the upscale dining experience, you can view some of the city's Michelin-starred restaurants in the Clerkenwell neighbourhood. While you're on your food voyage, do not miss St. John, a place recognised for its ability to utilise every part of the meat.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay also has a slew of restaurants and food establishments in the city that you could indulge in. Plus, Jamie Oliver also has his own set of restaurants within the city to upscale your dining experience. Other fancy locations in London include Sketch who have egg pods in place of traditional washroom stalls, The Attendant Cafe, Sushi Samba and Duck & Waffle, to name a few. To indulge in some lovely Indian cuisine, you can visit some of the curry houses located on Brick Lane. UK's pub culture is something you simply cannot miss. It defines the British lifestyle and is also one of the top attractions. You can either go to traditional pubs such as Magners or a little modern like Strongbow.

How to reach London (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to London from India is exemplary. There are regular direct flights as well as connecting flights reserved for London. Since the city witnesses a lot of tourists from India, provisions to service a regular flight to London has been made by various airlines. The best thing about flights to London from India is how they have the option of a direct flight, which reduces the duration of travel. British Airways is one such airline that has nonstop direct flights to London from cities in India, such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Chennai. Other airlines that fly to London from India are Turkish Airlines, IndiGo, Lufthansa, Emirates, Oman Air, Etihad Airways, Air France, Swiss, KLM Royal Dutch, to name a few. These airlines follow the international routes of the Middle East and Europe to reach London. Hence, their layovers and connecting flights are from cities such as Munich, Amsterdam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Zurich, Muscat, Paris and more. The duration of a layover is not too much, which makes travelling easier, even if there are direct flights to London.

A nonstop flight to London from Mumbai takes approximately nine hours and ten minutes, barring the weather conditions and other delays. Flight tickets to London are quite cheap and affordable. Many airlines begin their flight tickets to London from INR 30,000. There is no major compromise in the flight duration as the maximum it can go up to is 13-14 hours. It is essential that you pick the right airlines to fly to London as the possibility of longer layovers is high. If you manage to get some online flight deals on tickets to London, your budget will further get a nice bonus. In fact, you can use this opportunity to book your hotels in London as well. It is a known fact that London accommodations are exorbitant, as is travelling within the city. To avoid splurging extra on hotel rooms in London, you can make hotel reservations ahead of time along with your flight tickets to London. That way, you will end up saving a major chunk of your money, which can be used to travel more within the city and to purchase loads of souvenirs.

  About Iberia Airlines

Iberia, legally incorporated as Iberia, Líneas Aéreas de España, S.A. Operadora, Sociedad Unipersonal, is the national flag carrier of Spain. The airline was founded in 1927 and is recognised as one of the old European airlines prevalent. Based out of Madrid, the airline operates a slew of international routes from its base at Madrid-Barajas Airport. Iberia, along with Iberia Regional (predominantly operated by Air Nostrum, an independent carrier based in Valencia) and Iberia Express, are all part of the International Airlines Group, along with British Airways, Aer Lingus and more. Iberia group of airlines cater to the transportation of passengers as well as freight. Some of the other airline-related activities undertaken by the airline include aircraft maintenance, in-flight catering and airport handlings. Currently, Iberia group of airlines cater to about 109 destinations in the world with an additional 90 destinations that are connected, thanks to their codesharing agreements with a bunch of airlines. It is easily one of the best airlines in Spain.

With capital financing initiated by Horacio Echevarrieta and Deutsche Luft Hansa of a whopping 1.1 million pesetas, Iberia, Compañía Aérea de Transportes was formed in 1927. Flight operations for the same commenced in the same year. The company received government sponsorship the following year as they needed the airline to provide for postal transportation between Barcelona and Madrid. Under the dictatorial rule of President Miguel Primo de Rivera between 1923 to 1930, the operations of the aviation companies were combined to operate as a state-owned and controlled public entity directly. This resulted in the merger of Iberia with Compañía de Líneas Aéreas Subvencionadas S.A. with all its independent activities ceased.

Further, with the Spanish War taking place and the series of political unrest that took over the world, Iberia also played a role in providing air transport to the nation. They deployed many aircraft from their fleet. The airline has witnessed quite a flourishing history and has been a part of a major part it too. Over the years, the airline worked towards expanding their business to connect to many other international routes and further introduce newer routes to enhance its demand in the aviation industry in the European Union.

For a brief period of time, Iberia was privatised in 2001 which led to its name being listed on a handful of stock exchanges. In fact, they also introduced their own low-cost carrier, Clickair, operations of which commenced in 2006. The airline's subsidiary helped strengthen their domestic route connectivity until Vueling Airlines came into the picture to pose as a serious threat. Iberia was part of the Oneworld airline alliance. However, they soon withdrew from the airline alliance. Over the years, Iberia has witnessed several big shareholders from entering in the business and ceasing investment. In 2010, British Airways and Iberia announced that they would be signing an agreement to merge and make for combined operations. Following the merger, Iberia and British Airways became the third largest commercial airline across the globe with respect to revenue. The merger brought forth a new company, popularly known as International Airlines Group (IAG), which was established in 2011. Despite the formation of a new company, British Airways and Iberia continue to work under the original airline brands that they are recognised for.

Fleet size of Iberia

As of 2020, Iberia's fleet size stands at 84 aircraft. It is an all-Airbus fleet which has variants from the European-manufacturer's aircraft family. Part of the airline's fleet is 11 Airbus A319-100s, 14 Airbus A320-200s, six Airbus A320neos, 11 Airbus A321-200s, 12 Airbus A330-200s, eight Airbus A330-300s, 16 Airbus A340-600s and six Airbus A350-900s. They have also made a few orders such as four Airbus A321neos, 12 Airbus A320neos, eight Airbus A321XLR and 14 Airbus A350-900s. As the Airbus A340-600 is all set to retire, they will be replaced with the Airbus A350-900s that have been ordered by Iberia. Although in the past, Iberia did have a mixed fleet which comprised of Boeing aircraft along with Convair 440, de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide, Douglas DC models, Fokker F28 Fellowship, Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, McDonnell Douglass DC-10, Junkers and more. However, they opted to transform their fleet into an all-Airbus to enhance the aircraft's efficiency and better accommodation for in-flight services and cabin classes.

Baggage Allowance

Iberia maintains a baggage allowance policy that is predominantly followed by a majority of global airlines. The checked baggage that the airline accommodates is 23 kg, which can be exceeded the maximum to 32 kg. Depending on the ticket type and cabin class, the passenger will also receive bonus pieces of baggage that can be carried. Beyond 32 kg though, the airline will charge a fee of 60€ per baggage. Passengers travelling from the economy class are allowed to carry one piece of checked baggage. As for full economy and business class passengers, the number of baggage that can be carried for free is two. Business plus class passengers have the best resources as they can carry three pieces of checked baggage with them. While the checked baggage provisions are quite convenient, the airline does expect passengers to be very careful of the dimensions of their baggage. The maximum dimension of checked baggage cannot exceed 158 cm. It is very important for passengers to follow this specific clause as the airline will reject or ask the passenger to send the baggage as cargo.

In-flight services

Iberia's in-flight services are one of the best in the airline industry. Owing to the number of cabin classes, the facilities have also been upgraded. Thanks to their fleet turning all-Airbus, the aircraft has the best amenities such as better seats, excellent seating configuration, more legroom, new in-flight entertainment systems, to name a few. Further, passengers can also enjoy lip-smacking Spanish and global cuisine as it comes with their in-flight meal menu. You will be welcomed with a glass of alcoholic beverage as a smiling flight attendant will help you settle in, ahead of your journey.

Popular routes and top cities for Iberia

Iberia is one of the few airlines in the world to have phenomenal connectivity with South American destinations. The airline boasts a long list of international routes that connect to some of the biggest cities in the South American continent. Following this, Iberia also has a good presence in the European and South American market. Although the airline hasn't explored much of the Asian market yet, they do have a few codeshare agreements with airlines that directly connect with Asian countries. Airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines and Hainan Airlines have codeshare agreements with Iberia. Some of the top cities that Iberia connects with on the international route includes Algiers, Buenos Aires, Vienna, Brussels, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Bogota, San Jose, Dubrovnik, Havana, Prague, Quito, Cairo, Paris, Marseille, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Athens, Budapest, Tel Aviv, Florence, Milan, Rome, Tokyo, Kuwait City, Luxembourg City, Mexico City, Marrakech, Panama City, Oslo, Lisbon, San Juan, Stockholm, Zurich, London, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Montevideo and Caracas. Further, their domestic route is also quite strong with connectivity to about 26 destinations in Spain. These include Asturias, Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada, Madrid, Las Palmas, Palma de Mallorca, Granada and San Sebastian, to name a few.

Why travel by Iberia?

Iberia Airlines has built quite a reputation for itself as one of the top European airlines. With its rich and illustrious history, the airline has triumphed through various challenges and also become the largest airline in Spain. Ever since its merger with British Airways and the formation of International Airlines Group, Iberia's domestic route and international route connectivity has expanded. They are now able to accommodate newer routes and reach to bigger cities and destination across the world. It is not just their route expansions that have enhanced over the years. They have also worked towards bringing the best in-flight services and cater to all the travel needs of customers. Iberia's fleet has also been transformed into a kind that accommodates diverse cabin classes, is well-equipped and is more efficient in terms of fuel and engines.

With a means to make the passenger's travel diaries less cumbersome, the airline has also introduced various online benefits. These include web check-in facilities that can be found on the official website of Iberia. Travellers can book an Iberia flight ticket on their website and find the same in various other travel portals too, thanks to its presence worldwide. The airline has also installed programmes that enable passengers to get an update of their flight status as well as Iberia's flight schedule. This would further help them with their booking. Further, the airline's other perks include the fact that they have put all necessary and important details regarding the flight, the baggage allowance and in-flight services.

The airline also has a bunch of mileage programmes that passengers could consider if they are frequent flyers. Again, details can be found on the airline's official website. Their tie-ups with hotels in a few international destinations would come in handy as gives passengers discounts on their accommodation too.