Recently planning a holiday to Palma from the UK, I’ve done quite a bit of research on flights and discovered there are several useful tips worth sharing with you all.
Main Routes and Airlines
There are plenty of flight options from the UK to Palma. Major airports like London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol all offer direct flights. In terms of airlines, British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, and Jet2 are the main carriers. If you don’t mind connecting flights, routing through Barcelona or Madrid is also an option and can sometimes be cheaper.
Price Comparisons and Booking Timing
After comparing prices over several months, I found the difference between peak and off-peak seasons is quite significant. Summer peak season return tickets typically range from £150-300, while spring and autumn can offer £80-150. The cheapest period is from November to March, when you can sometimes snag special fares around £50.
| Airline | Average Price | Baggage Policy | Advantages |
|---|
| easyJet | £80-180 | Extra purchase required | High flight frequency |
| Ryanair | £60-150 | Extra purchase required | Lowest prices |
| British Airways | £120-250 | Checked baggage included | Better service |
| Jet2 | £90-200 | 22kg baggage included | Great value |
Booking tip: Booking 2-3 months in advance usually gets you better prices. I used Skyscanner and Google Flights to compare prices, set up price alerts, waited two weeks, and eventually grabbed an easyJet return ticket for £95.
Budget Airline Considerations
Budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet are indeed cheap, but watch out for hidden fees. Hand luggage size restrictions are very strict, and exceeding specified dimensions or weight will require checking in at the gate, which is very expensive. Additionally, seat selection, priority boarding, and in-flight meals all cost extra. If you’re carrying a lot, these fees might make it comparable to traditional airlines.
I learned this the hard way last time when I brought a slightly oversized backpack and was required to check it at the gate, paying £35 on the spot. Really painful. So I recommend everyone strictly follow airline baggage regulations to save money.
Airport and Transportation
Palma Airport is about 8km from the city center, with fairly convenient transport. Airport bus line 1 goes directly to the city center, taking about 20 minutes and costing €5. A taxi costs approximately €15-20. If you’re staying in the beach area, you may need to transfer or take a taxi directly.
From the UK side, if you live outside London, I recommend departing from your local airport. While there may be fewer flights, you save time and transport costs getting to London. I live in Manchester, and the direct flight to Palma takes only 2 hours 40 minutes, which is very convenient. For more details, check out this UK to Palma flight guide.
There are many flight options from the UK to Palma; the key is to arrange your travel dates flexibly and do your homework in advance. Hope these tips help everyone find cheap tickets and have a great time in Palma!
