BCN
Barcelona
PMI
Palma de Mallorca
Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca
Flight Compensation
Short Mediterranean leisure route — high frequency, moderate delays.
BCN–PMI is one of Europe's busiest short-haul leisure routes, connecting Barcelona with the holiday island of Palma de Mallorca. Operated by Vueling, easyJet, and Ryanair, this ultra-short 228 km flight has minimal scheduling flexibility. Delays are driven primarily by Barcelona airport congestion. Passengers delayed 3+ hours are entitled to €250 per person under EC261.
€250
Max compensation (EC261 tier 1)
228 km
Route distance
50m
Scheduled flight time
Max Compensation
€250
per passenger · BCN departures
≤ 1,500 km · Short-haul
Average processing: 40 days
Free check · 2–3 years (varies by EU country) limit · No fee unless we win
01Route Intelligence
BCN–PMI carries approximately 4.2 million passengers annually, making it one of Europe's top 20 busiest routes. Eurocontrol CODA data: average 18-minute delays, primarily from Barcelona TMA congestion.
Our Success Rate
70%
on BCN–PMI claims
Average Payout
€228
per passenger
Peak Disruption Periods
June – August
Summer holiday peak, Barcelona airport saturation, reduced crew availability due to vacation scheduling
December 19 – January 2
Christmas and New Year holiday peaks, maximum load factors
Key Legal Nuance on This Route
What Makes BCN–PMI Claims Different
This is a high-volume leisure route; carriers frequently dispute claims. However, our claim success rate (70%) is healthy. Vueling and Ryanair are known for initial denial followed by settlement.
02Airlines on This Route
Who operates BCN–PMI, their delay record, and how they resist claims.
Vueling
VYAvg Delay
20min
Claim Success
73%
How VY Resists Claims on This Route
Vueling argues 'Barcelona airport congestion' and 'PMI single-runway constraints'. However, both are foreseeable, routine factors.
Ryanair
FRAvg Delay
24min
Claim Success
68%
How FR Resists Claims on This Route
Ryanair routinely disputes claims, arguing technical issues and crew scheduling. However, Ryanair's resistance rate is high (40% of claims disputed initially).
03Disruption Causes & Legal Status
What actually causes delays on BCN–PMI — and whether each is extraordinary under EC261.
Barcelona TMA Congestion
~50% of delays
Barcelona Airport is Spain's busiest; summer demand creates holding patterns and delayed arrivals.
Foreseeable, routine Barcelona congestion.
Late Inbound Aircraft
~25% of delays
Aircraft from earlier rotation arrives late.
Aircraft substitution is readily available on this frequent route.
PMI Single-Runway Constraints
~15% of delays
Palma de Mallorca operates primarily with one active runway.
Foreseeable, permanent constraint.
Technical Defect
~10% of delays
Aircraft unserviceability.
Must pass Wallentin-Hermann test.
04How We Handle BCN–PMI Claims
You submit your flight details
2 minutes. Flight number, date, and what happened. We identify the operating carrier automatically — critical for codeshare routes.
We verify the BCN–PMI specific cause
We cross-check flight records with Barcelona and Palma airport data. BCN–PMI claims are straightforward.
Submission, escalation, and payment
Vueling settles most claims. Ryanair is more resistant but typically settles after escalation to Spanish authorities.
05EC261 on BCN–PMI
EC261 applies because BCN is a EU airport
Your departure airport (BCN, Barcelona) is in Spain. EC261 covers all flights departing EU airports, regardless of airline nationality or destination. The fact that your destination (PMI, Palma de Mallorca) is in Spain does not change the applicable regulation.
Enforcement Body
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) / National Enforcement Bodies
Claim Time Limit
2–3 years (varies by EU country) from flight date
06Frequently Asked Questions
Real questions from passengers who flew BCN–PMI.
Is Barcelona 'congestion' a valid excuse?
No. Barcelona Airport's congestion is foreseeable and routine. Airlines must allow buffer time.
The flight was only 1.5 hours late. Can I claim?
No. EC261 applies only to 3+ hour arrival delays.
What am I owed for a 4-hour delay to Palma?
€250 per passenger under EC261 for a flight under 1,500 km with a 3+ hour arrival delay.
How long can I wait to claim?
EC261 claims typically have a 2–3 year limit, varying by Spanish regional law. Contact us for your specific deadline.
Ready to Claim?
Start Your BCN → PMI Claim
No win, no fee. We verify the exact delay cause, identify the operating carrier, and submit directly to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) / National Enforcement Bodies if needed.