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FlightLogic is an independent, advertising-supported information service that lets you compare airlines, airports, hotels, and travel products. We do not provide financial advice and we do not recommend specific products or providers. Links marked * are advertising links and may earn us commission at no extra cost to you — always read the terms of any product before booking or applying. Learn more about how we make money.

Verdict

Athens International Airport (ATH) scores higher overall at 7.6/10 versus Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) at 7.2/10.

Score comparison

Metric Athens International Airport Alicante-Elche Airport
FlightLogic Score 7.6 7.2
On-Time Performance 7.4 7.0
Passenger Experience 7.5 7.1
Facilities & Comfort 7.9 7.5
Lounge Score 7.8 6.9
City Athens Alicante
Country Greece Spain
Terminals 1 terminal (main + satellite) 1 terminal
Annual passengers 28M+ 15M+

Operational comparison

Transport links, lounge access, connection times, and UK261 eligibility — verify locally before travel.

Policy ATH — Athens ALC — Alicante-Elche
Rail / public transport
To city centre
Lounge day pass
Min. connection time
Primary hub carriers

Detailed profiles

Athens, Greece · ATH · #1 in this comparison

Athens International Airport

1 terminal (main + satellite) · 28M+ passengers/year

7.6 / 10

How good is Athens International Airport?

Athens International Airport (ATH) scores 7.6/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.4), passenger experience (7.5), and facilities (7.9). Lounge quality rates 7.8/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Athens ATH scores 7.6/10 — Greece's main hub. Metro to city ~40 min. Aegean Star Alliance gateway for island connections. See /guides/best-airlines-uk-portugal-greece-2026 and /guides/athens-airport-lounge-guide-2026.

FlightLogic Score 7.6 Very Good
On-time 7.4 Departure reliability
Experience 7.5 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.9 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 7.8 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
7.4
Passenger Experience
7.5
Facilities & Comfort
7.9
Lounge score 7.8/10

Highlights

  • Primary UK gateway to Athens and mainland Greece — ferry connections to islands from Piraeus
  • Aegean Airlines hub — Star Alliance connections to Santorini, Mykonos, Crete (domestic)
  • Metro Line 3 to Syntagma ~40 min — reliable city access
  • Aegean Business Lounge and Goldair lounge — Priority Pass accepted

Overview

Greece's primary hub — Aegean/Star Alliance gateway with dense UK schedule on BA, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, and Aegean for mainland and island connections.

Islands and UK routing

Many UK travellers fly to ATH then connect domestically to Santorini (JTR) or Crete (HER) on Aegean or Ryanair — allow 2+ hours for international-to-domestic connections.

Direct UK–island seasonal routes exist on Jet2 and TUI in summer — compare total time vs ATH connection.

Alicante, Spain · ALC · #2 in this comparison

Alicante-Elche Airport

1 terminal · 15M+ passengers/year

7.2 / 10

How good is Alicante-Elche Airport?

Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) scores 7.2/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.0), passenger experience (7.1), and facilities (7.5). Lounge quality rates 6.9/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Alicante ALC scores 7.2/10 — Costa Blanca UK leisure hub. See /guides/best-airlines-uk-spain-2026 and /guides/alicante-airport-lounge-guide-2026.

FlightLogic Score 7.2 Very Good
On-time 7.0 Departure reliability
Experience 7.1 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.5 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 6.9 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
7.0
Passenger Experience
7.1
Facilities & Comfort
7.5
Lounge score 6.9/10

Highlights

  • Top UK Costa Blanca airport — Benidorm, Alicante city, and Murcia within 60 min drive
  • Jet2 and TUI package base alongside Ryanair and easyJet from 15+ UK airports
  • Single terminal — straightforward; summer queues significant
  • Compare Málaga (/airports/malaga) for Costa del Sol; Palma for Balearics

Overview

Costa Blanca gateway — Jet2, TUI, Ryanair, and easyJet dominate UK package and low-cost traffic to Benidorm, Torrevieja, and Murcia coast.

Costa Blanca access

Pre-book resort transfers — public transport to northern Costa Blanca resorts is limited. Tram to Alicante city from airport terminal.

UK261 on return legs; EU261 on EU departures.

FAQ

Which is better, Athens International Airport or Alicante-Elche Airport?

Athens International Airport (ATH) scores higher overall at 7.6/10 versus Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) at 7.2/10.

Which has better lounges, ATH or ALC?

Athens International Airport (ATH) scores higher for lounges at 7.8/10, versus Alicante-Elche Airport at 6.9/10.

Which airport is more on-time, ATH or ALC?

Athens International Airport (ATH) has stronger on-time performance at 7.4/10 versus Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) at 7.0/10.