Airport Overview
Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is one of the busiest airports in Spain and among the most heavily trafficked leisure airports in Europe, handling approximately 30 million passengers annually during peak operations. Located 8 km east of Palma city center on the island of Mallorca in Spain's Balearic Islands, the airport serves as the primary gateway for millions of tourists from across Europe — particularly Germany, the UK, and Scandinavia — visiting Mallorca's renowned beaches, resorts, and the historic capital Palma. The airport is operated by AENA (the Spanish airport authority) and handles an extraordinary concentration of flights during June through September, when Mallorca becomes one of the most-visited destinations in the Mediterranean.
Terminals
Palma Airport has three terminal buildings:
- Terminal A: The primary modern terminal handling most international flights from Europe's Schengen area. Home to departures and arrivals for Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, Lufthansa, Air Berlin legacy routes, and major European network carriers.
- Terminal B: An older terminal section used for domestic Spanish flights (IBERIA, Vueling) connecting Palma to Madrid, Barcelona, and other Spanish cities.
- Terminal C: Primarily handling charter and seasonal leisure flights, particularly from Northern Europe. The terminal is used heavily during summer months with direct services from Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and the UK.
WiFi Availability
Free WiFi is available throughout all terminals under the AENA network "Aena-Wifi". Connect, register with an email address, and receive 30 minutes of free access. Extended paid WiFi passes are available for longer connectivity. Given the very high passenger volumes in summer, the network can become congested — download any essential content before arriving. Signal coverage is strong in all public areas including check-in halls, departure gates, and arrivals zones.
Transport to City Center
Bus (EMT Line 1)
EMT bus line 1 connects Palma Airport directly to Palma city center (Plaça d'Espanya) running approximately every 15–20 minutes during the day. The journey takes approximately 25–30 minutes. The fare is €3. Night bus N1 covers late-night and early-morning hours. This is the cheapest and most convenient public transport option for reaching Palma city.
Metro (Line 1)
The Mallorca Metro Line 1 connects the airport to Palma's central station (Intermodal) in approximately 17 minutes. Trains run every 30 minutes and the fare is €1.65 for a single journey with the T-Mob card (or €3 for a single ticket). The metro station is directly accessible from the terminal buildings via a short covered walkway.
Taxi and Rideshare
Taxis queue outside all terminal arrivals exits. The metered fare to Palma city center is approximately €20–25. For resort areas outside Palma (Magaluf, Alcúdia, Port de Pollença), fares range from €30–70. Uber is not widely available in Mallorca; use only licensed taxis or pre-booked private transfers for resort connections.
Airport Lounges
- Iberia VIP Lounge (Terminal A): For Iberia Business Class passengers and Iberia Plus Platinum/Gold members, offering Spanish tapas, wines, and comfortable seating.
- Sala VIP (AENA Lounge, Terminal A): An AENA-operated lounge accessible with Priority Pass and day-pass purchase, offering light refreshments, newspapers, and WiFi. Open to passengers of all airlines.
- Vueling Club Lounge: Available for Vueling Club Elite and Business Class passengers on Vueling-operated flights from PMI.
- No1 Lounge Palma: An independent lounge accessible with Priority Pass near the international departures area, providing a buffet, bar, and quiet seating away from the busy terminal floor.
- Condor Business Lounge: For Condor Business Class passengers on German charter routes, located near the Terminal C departure area.
Hotels Near the Airport
- Meliá Palma Bay: Located 5 km from the airport on Palma Bay's waterfront, a luxury resort with pools, spa, and direct beach access — ideal for arriving tourists.
- Hotel Saratoga Palma: A classic hotel in the heart of Palma old city, 8 km from the airport, perfect for exploring the cathedral, Old Town, and restaurants.
- Iberostar Bahía de Palma: An all-inclusive beachfront resort 10 km from the airport along the Playa de Palma strip, extremely popular with German and UK package tourists.
- Hilton Sa Torre Mallorca: A rural luxury finca hotel inland from the airport, 15 minutes by car, offering an authentic Mallorcan experience with pool, spa, and olive groves.
- Tryp Palma Aeropuerto Hotel: The closest hotel to the terminal, 2 km away with a free shuttle, basic but reliable and ideal for very early departures.
Food and Restaurants
- La Bóveda (Airside Terminal A): A Palma institution's airport outpost serving authentic pa amb oli (Mallorcan bread with tomato and olive oil), local sobrassada sausage, and Mallorcan wines.
- 100 Montaditos: A popular Spanish tapas chain with a wide selection of small bocadillos (sandwiches) and cold beers — perfect for a quick pre-flight snack.
- Foster's Hollywood: A Spanish-American burger and ribs restaurant with a full menu — popular for hungry families before long charter flights.
- Starbucks (Multiple Locations): Available in both Terminal A landside and airside for coffees and light snacks.
- Burger King: Multiple locations throughout the terminal for fast food options at any hour.
- Ensaimada Bakeries: The iconic Mallorcan spiral pastry (ensaimada) is available at multiple bakery counters throughout the airport — the classic gift to bring home from Mallorca.
Travel Tips
- Summer peak season at PMI is extreme — July and August see the airport at absolute capacity with 100,000+ daily passengers. Arrive 3 hours before departure to account for queues.
- The AENA WiFi only provides 30 minutes free — download offline maps and entertainment before arriving if you have a long wait.
- Pre-book airport transfers for resort areas outside Palma as on-the-spot taxi fares can be very high for distant locations like Alcúdia (60+ km from the airport).
- Mallorcan ensaimada pastries in their distinctive round boxes are the classic airport souvenir — they're made fresh in island bakeries and available throughout the airport.
- Mallorca has excellent cycling infrastructure; consider renting a bike in Palma city for exploring the island if staying centrally rather than at a resort.
- Flying in shoulder season (May–June or September–October) offers significantly better airport and resort experiences with fewer crowds and lower prices.
- The airport's car rental area is outside the main terminal building — follow signs to the rental car area for a short walk to the rental offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Palma Airport to Palma city center?
The Metro Line 1 connects the airport to Palma's central station (Intermodal) in approximately 17 minutes for €1.65–3. EMT Bus Line 1 also runs to Plaça d'Espanya in 25–30 minutes for €3. Taxis cost approximately €20–25. The metro is the most reliable option, especially during peak summer when road traffic can be heavy.
How busy is Palma Airport in summer?
Palma Airport is one of Europe's busiest leisure airports in summer, regularly handling over 100,000 passengers per day in July and August. During this period, security queues can exceed 60–90 minutes and the terminal is extremely crowded. Arriving at least 3 hours before departure is strongly recommended in summer.
What is the best month to visit Mallorca?
May–June and September–October offer the best balance of warm weather, manageable crowds, and lower prices. July and August are the hottest months (30–35°C) but the most crowded. Winter (November–March) is quiet but cooler, and many beach hotels close. Spring (April) is excellent for cycling enthusiasts who visit for the island's famous cycling routes.
Can I take the metro from Palma Airport directly?
Yes, Mallorca Metro Line 1 runs directly from the airport to Palma's Intermodal station (city center) in approximately 17 minutes. The train station is accessible via a covered walkway from the terminal buildings. Trains run every 30 minutes. This is one of the most affordable and reliable transport options available.