Last month I flew from Zaragoza Airport to Madrid and wanted to share the actual security situation with everyone. This airport isn’t very large, but the security process is quite standardized, and knowing some details in advance can be very helpful.
Security Queue Times
Zaragoza Airport has much less passenger traffic than Barcelona or Madrid, so security queues usually take about 10-15 minutes to get through. However, Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings are peak times. When I went on a Friday around 17:00, I waited approximately 25 minutes. I recommend that if you’re traveling during peak hours, it’s best to arrive at the airport two hours early to avoid missing your flight.
There’s also a small rush between 7:00 and 9:00 in the morning, mainly due to concentrated business flights to Madrid and Barcelona. If your flight is during this time slot, arriving 90 minutes early is safer.
Liquid and Carry-on Item Regulations
Liquid restrictions follow EU standards: individual containers must not exceed 100 milliliters, and all liquids must be placed in a transparent sealed bag. I saw someone’s large bottle of perfume confiscated, which was really unfortunate. Cosmetics, sunscreen, and toothpaste all count as liquids, so remember to transfer them into smaller containers beforehand.
Electronic devices need to be removed separately. Laptops, tablets, and power banks must be placed in trays to go through the X-ray machine. My camera, being quite large, was also required to be taken out for inspection by security staff. Phones and earphones can stay in your bag and don’t need to be removed.
| Item Type | Requires Separate Inspection | Notes |
|---|
| Laptop | Yes | Must be removed from bag |
| Tablet devices | Yes | Anything larger than phone size |
| Power bank | Yes | Capacity not exceeding 20000mAh |
| Liquids | Yes | In transparent bag, ≤100ml per container |
| Food | No | Solid food is allowed |
Other Important Notes
Metal items like belts, coins, and keys are best placed in your bag beforehand, otherwise the security gate will keep beeping. I forgot to take out my coins that time and had to be checked twice before passing through. Shoes generally don’t need to be removed unless you’re wearing thick-soled boots, in which case security staff might ask you to take them off for inspection.
The security personnel at Zaragoza Airport are quite friendly. If you’re unsure about anything, you can ask them directly. I saw an elderly lady who wasn’t sure how to proceed, and the staff patiently helped her organize her items. Overall, this airport’s security efficiency is quite high and doesn’t feel overly cumbersome.
I recommend checking your carry-on luggage before departure and removing any prohibited items for checked baggage in advance, which can save considerable time. If you’re uncertain whether something can be brought through, you can check the airport’s official website or ask security personnel directly, rather than discovering problems at security.
