Morning Flight Out of Barcelona?

[Shanti]

Is this doable after a DCL cruise? Anyone know if Onboard Airline Check-In is available for Med cruises? I would love to have DCL handle our luggage.

 

[dclpluto]

Is this doable after a DCL cruise? Anyone know if Onboard Airline Check-In is available for Med cruises? I would love to have DCL handle our luggage.

Give us a time so we can better help you. Nope dcl doesn’t have on board airline check in.

 

[Shanti]

Give us a time so we can better help you. Nope dcl doesn’t have on board airline check in.

Haven't booked the flight yet. That's why I was asking. What has your experience been out of Barcelona?

 

[Aby]

We disembarked in Barcelona on June 9th. For international flights, I have to say my experience was terrible at the airport. The line for customs check for the VAT refund was fine, and the line to go through security was no problem as they had many lines open. Once you got through security however, things got much worse. The many many lines of security all opened up into one long, but not very deep area, and you either had to go down the escalators or elevators if you were on a domestic flight, or into another line for international flights. There was only a small opening to get into the International line, and there was no order at all. The thin area between the line opening and the security checks was jam packed of people, and since no-one was directing, it was a free for all. People were just shuffling along, hoping to make it into the roped area eventually, and some were pushing their way in. I even saw a group shoving their way in, almost knocking down an elderly couple - people were getting angry and I thought at one point that it might come to blows. They also didn't have the air conditioning going (or not high enough) so it was very hot, and being crammed in like sardines while you slowly walked the very long line to the customs area didn't help tempers any. Once the line got to customs, it wasn't too bad as someone was directing traffic, and after that it was pretty easy sailing.

We were off the ship by 8:15, and the DCL transportation got us to the airport around 9am, but we didn't get through the process and at our gate until 11:15am. Disney recommends no flights earlier than 11:45am, but I wouldn't have wanted to be on a flight that early! I'm sure every day and time isn't like that at the airport, but you never really know how it's going to be until you get there. We had a 2:15 flight and although it was a bit of a wait for us, it was much less stressful than making a morning flight. I'd probably sometime after 12:30 would be good to aim for.

Hope this helps,

Aby

 

[Shanti]

We disembarked in Barcelona on June 9th. For international flights, I have to say my experience was terrible at the airport. The line for customs check for the VAT refund was fine, and the line to go through security was no problem as they had many lines open. Once you got through security however, things got much worse. The many many lines of security all opened up into one long, but not very deep area, and you either had to go down the escalators or elevators if you were on a domestic flight, or into another line for international flights. There was only a small opening to get into the International line, and there was no order at all. The thin area between the line opening and the security checks was jam packed of people, and since no-one was directing, it was a free for all. People were just shuffling along, hoping to make it into the roped area eventually, and some were pushing their way in. I even saw a group shoving their way in, almost knocking down an elderly couple - people were getting angry and I thought at one point that it might come to blows. They also didn't have the air conditioning going (or not high enough) so it was very hot, and being crammed in like sardines while you slowly walked the very long line to the customs area didn't help tempers any. Once the line got to customs, it wasn't too bad as someone was directing traffic, and after that it was pretty easy sailing.

We were off the ship by 8:15, and the DCL transportation got us to the airport around 9am, but we didn't get through the process and at our gate until 11:15am. Disney recommends no flights earlier than 11:45am, but I wouldn't have wanted to be on a flight that early! I'm sure every day and time isn't like that at the airport, but you never really know how it's going to be until you get there. We had a 2:15 flight and although it was a bit of a wait for us, it was much less stressful than making a morning flight. I'd probably sometime after 12:30 would be good to aim for.

Hope this helps,

Aby

Wow. Thanks for sharing. That's exactly the kind of first-hand info that helps. You'd think they'd actually have a bigger area for international flights than domestic as Spain isn't a big country...

 

[Dznypal]

we were on the Med cruise last yr

the only issue we had was getting our luggage checked in

since we took Disney transfers to the airport we were there pretty early--but too early to check our bags--we were told to get into line around 1230 which we did--

after being in line for over an hr and just about to the front of the line they made an announcement that anyone on the flight that left before ours to come forward

so now there were about 15 people in front of us--

it took almost 2 hrs just to check our bags

I was starting to freak out a bit with lines at security but that was a breeze compared to luggage check in

also before we left on the cruise there were warnings there could be a strike at the Barcelona airport--but lucky nothing happened

but 3 weeks before we were to leave is when there was the terriorest attack in Barcelona

that was stressful just thinking that's were we were to fly in and out of--but everything worked out great and we had a fanstatic trip

we won the final jackpot of bingo on that cruise so we went while on board and we leave for Alaska in less then 3 months

enjoy your cruise

 

[cruiser21]

Is this doable after a DCL cruise? Anyone know if Onboard Airline Check-In is available for Med cruises? I would love to have DCL handle our luggage.

Yes it's not only doable I think it's the best option. You do not go through customs in Barcelona. You just walk off. We have taken a 10am flight and left the ship at 7am. We we stayed in Barcelona after the TA but could easily have made morning flight.we left our stateroom at 745 had our luggage and were outside waiting for our tour by 8. There were probably 200 taxis lined up at the port to take people to the airport which is about 25 minutes away. It's a flat rate of 39 Euros.
If you book an afternoon flight your going to have a lot of time to kill at the airport.

 

[TestingH2O]

Once you got through security however, things got much worse. The many many lines of security all opened up into one long, but not very deep area, and you either had to go down the escalators or elevators if you were on a domestic flight, or into another line for international flights. There was only a small opening to get into the International line, and there was no order at all.

This was true a week later as well. Our flight didn't actually depart until mid-afternoon, and we happened to see a sign that said shopping and dining were downstairs before passport control. Because we had so much time, we decided to go eat before getting our passports checked.

When we came back up 45-60 minutes later there was no line. None! If you've seen this crowd, you'd be shocked to see it empty just a short time later. It was like a scene in one of those end of the world movies. We were shocked by the emptiness AND the speed with which they must have processed those people.

I'm convinced the crowds are due to all the cruise passengers arriving. I saw DCL, Princess, and other cruise luggage tags. That influx of passengers plus regular customers makes a big difference.

 

[cruiser21]

we were on the Med cruise last yr

the only issue we had was getting our luggage checked in

since we took Disney transfers to the airport we were there pretty early--but too early to check our bags--we were told to get into line around 1230 which we did--

after being in line for over an hr and just about to the front of the line they made an announcement that anyone on the flight that left before ours to come forward

so now there were about 15 people in front of us--

it took almost 2 hrs just to check our bags

I was starting to freak out a bit with lines at security but that was a breeze compared to luggage check in

also before we left on the cruise there were warnings there could be a strike at the Barcelona airport--but lucky nothing happened

but 3 weeks before we were to leave is when there was the terriorest attack in Barcelona

that was stressful just thinking that's were we were to fly in and out of--but everything worked out great and we had a fanstatic trip

we won the final jackpot of bingo on that cruise so we went while on board and we leave for Alaska in less then 3 months

enjoy your cruise

We flew American both times 10am flight. It's their first flight of the day.Ticket counter doesn't even open to 7 am We waited about 10 minutes to check in and 10 minutes through security. I don't know maybe it gets busier with a later flights I always try to take the early flights when flying anywhere even if I have to get up at 3am. It just seem like there's less problems.

 

[anjuan]

I would not risk a flight before 11:30 at the earliest as a few others have said. We also traveled on June 9 and had a 3:30 pm flight since it was the only directly flight on AA that day. What we ended up doing was using a service to take our bags to the airport called Bag & Go. It was within the port terminal just a few feet from where we picked up our bags. We then got a taxi and went and saw the Picasso museum and walked around Las Ramblas a little more before getting a taxi to the airport. Bag & Go then met us at a designated location on the lower level of T1. When we went to check in at AA there was basically no one there and the process to get to our gate was pretty easy.

Even though our process was pretty easy I think it was because the airport seemed slower but I could definitely see how if you arrived the same time as at lot of other people it could back up because the staff didn't seem to move that quickly. I think anyone taking a flight before 11:30 is really risking it.

 

[cruiser21]

If your off the ship at 7 or 8am I'm not sure how a flight before 1130 is risky? How early do you people get to the airport? 2 hours before flight time is recommended out of BCN. I usually toss in an extra 20 minutes to be safe I know a lot of people were jumping in cabs at 7am. I know there was another thread on this topic a few months ago. Many people took earl flights and I Remember them saying dcl boards the busses for those people first. They give you a special card or something. I would have to find the thread. If your flying to middle or western USA it's beneficial to take an earlier flight in my opinion.
I guess everyone has there own comfort level when traveling.
OP asked if it was doable and it is because many people do it, but if it stress's you out then probably not the best choice.

 

[Shanti]

we won the final jackpot of bingo on that cruise

Lucky!

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

We flew out of Barcelona after the EBTA 2018 and we thought it was one of the easiest airport experiences we've ever had. We checked into our airlines desk (we were in upgraded seats so we had our own line, but no one was in ANY line). We went through security which was fast, easy, clearly explained, and were into the duty free shop 20 minutes later. Our flight was at 10:00am. We left out hotel in Barcelona at 6:00am. We were through everything by 7:00am and went to have breakfast in our airlines lounge. We left about 90 minutes - 2 hours before our flight boarded to go through secondary security. The departure boards actually stated when it was time to go to our gate from the main shopping area through secondary security and to the smaller gate area.

The only thing we did "different" was we stayed one night after the cruise and left the next morning. As a side note, we did walk off from the Magic the morning before. We left our room at 8:00am(the ship was cleared somewhere around 7:30am) and had a taxi by 8:30am and we were at our hotel by 9:00am. I would guess similar times if you were headed to the airport. If your time/budget allows, stay an extra day in Barcelona and take an early morning flight.