Vueling will resume flights between Barcelona and Madrid starting 5 October, with tickets now on sale until 29 March 2027. The move restores a key domestic air link that had been suspended after March 2026, following earlier temporary operations in February due to rail disruptions.
From 5 October, the airline will operate 10 weekly flights. There will be two daily flights from Monday to Thursday, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, plus one flight on Fridays and one on Sundays. From 31 October, the service increases to 11 weekly flights with the addition of Saturday services, maintaining two daily flights Monday to Thursday and one daily flight from Friday to Sunday.
Morning departures from Barcelona El Prat Airport between Monday and Thursday will be scheduled between 07.20 and 07.30, with return flights from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport between 09.25 and 09.40. Afternoon services will leave Barcelona at 18.35 and Madrid between 20.35 and 20.45. On Fridays, the flight departs Barcelona at 18.35 and returns from Madrid at 20.35. On Sundays, departures are at 16.45 from Barcelona and 18.50 from Madrid.
Meeting Demand Amid Rail Challenges
The Barcelona-Madrid air route was temporarily reinstated in February 2026 due to widespread rail delays following accidents at Adamuz and Gelida, which severely affected high-speed AVE services. At that time, Vueling offered capped fares at €99 to provide an affordable alternative. The return of the route in October reflects sustained demand, particularly among business travellers seeking same-day return options.
We have worked to offer an additional alternative to help meet an existing need during the month of February,
said Jordi Pla, Vueling’s Director of Network and Strategy, during the earlier service restoration.
Rail travel had captured 81.5 per cent of the Barcelona-Madrid market by 2024, pushing airlines to scale back. However, ongoing rail reliability issues have shifted demand back to air travel. Iberia currently dominates the route with 14 daily flights, while Air Europa operates two.
How to Book
Flights are available to book directly through Vueling’s official website, which lists all scheduled services between Madrid (MAD) and Barcelona (BCN). The airline, part of the IAG group, is positioning the route as a flexible, time-efficient option for professionals and weekend travellers alike.
Reported by europapress.es, Cristina Martín Valbuena, Sofía Antuña Creada: 13.08.2026 12:35 Última actualización: 13.08.2026 12:35, Cristina Buesa, Gerard Mateo, ground.news, Carla Stavraky, Luke Peters, vueling.com, beta.vueling.com, expedia.com, info.flightmapper.net, Diari de Girona.
