Links marked * may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. We do not provide financial advice. How we make money.

Verdict

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) scores higher overall at 8.1/10 versus Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) at 7.3/10.

Score comparison

Metric Melbourne Tullamarine Airport Palma de Mallorca Airport
FlightLogic Score 8.1 7.3
On-Time Performance 8.0 7.0
Passenger Experience 8.1 7.2
Facilities & Comfort 8.3 7.6
Lounge Score 8.6 7.0
City Melbourne Palma
Country Australia Spain
Terminals 4 terminals (T1 international, T2–T4 domestic) 1 main terminal (4 modules A–D)
Annual passengers 37M+ 32M+

Operational comparison

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

Policy MEL — Melbourne PMI — Palma
Rail / public transport
To city centre
Lounge day pass
Min. connection time
Primary hub carriers

Detailed profiles

Melbourne, Australia · MEL · #1 in this comparison

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport

4 terminals (T1 international, T2–T4 domestic) · 37M+ passengers/year

8.1 / 10

How good is Melbourne Tullamarine Airport?

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) scores 8.1/10 (Excellent) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (8.0), passenger experience (8.1), and facilities (8.3). Lounge quality rates 8.6/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Melbourne MEL scores 8.1/10 on FlightLogic with lounge score 8.6/10. Qantas Business Lounge in Terminal 2 international is the premium benchmark. Allow 60+ minutes for arrival biosecurity. See /guides/melbourne-airport-lounge-guide and /reviews/qantas-first-lounge-sydney-review for Qantas ground product.

FlightLogic Score 8.1 Excellent
On-time 8.0 Departure reliability
Experience 8.1 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 8.3 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 8.6 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
8.0
Passenger Experience
8.1
Facilities & Comfort
8.3
Lounge score 8.6/10

Highlights

  • Terminal 2 international serves Qantas, Emirates, and oneworld partners
  • Qantas Business Lounge with Neil Perry-influenced dining — companion to Sydney First Lounge review
  • UK–Melbourne direct on Qantas and BA; common one-stop via Singapore or Doha
  • SkyBus to Melbourne CBD in 30–45 minutes

Overview

Australia's second international gateway — Qantas Business and First lounges in Terminal 2 international, strong oneworld hub for UK–Australia routings.

Terminal 2 international and Qantas lounges

Terminal 2 handles international departures for Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and oneworld partners. Qantas Business Lounge offers buffet and à la carte dining with Australian produce.

Domestic connections require terminal transfer (T2→T1/T3/T4) with re-security — plan 90+ minutes for domestic connections after international arrival.

Palma, Spain · PMI · #2 in this comparison

Palma de Mallorca Airport

1 main terminal (4 modules A–D) · 32M+ passengers/year

7.3 / 10

How good is Palma de Mallorca Airport?

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) scores 7.3/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.0), passenger experience (7.2), and facilities (7.6). Lounge quality rates 7.0/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Palma PMI scores 7.3/10 — the Balearics hub and among the UK's busiest Spain routes. Jet2 and TUI dominate package traffic. UK visitors complete EU Entry/Exit System biometrics on arrival and departure, so pad summer timings. See /guides/eu-ees-border-checks-uk-travellers/, /guides/best-airlines-uk-spain and /guides/palma-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 7.3 Very Good
On-time 7.0 Departure reliability
Experience 7.2 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.6 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 7.0 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
7.2
Facilities & Comfort
7.6
Lounge score 7.0/10

Highlights

  • UK's busiest Spain leisure airport in peak summer — Mallorca, Menorca ferry connections, and Ibiza transfers
  • Jet2, TUI, easyJet, Ryanair, BA, and Virgin Atlantic (seasonal) from 20+ UK airports
  • EES biometric checks for UK passports — leave extra landside time in peak months
  • Extreme peak-season congestion — arrive 2+ hours before departure; UK261 on UK-return legs
  • Priority Pass at Sala VIP lounges — pre-book essential July–August

Overview

The Balearics' primary airport — Europe's busiest leisure hub in summer with dense Jet2, TUI, easyJet, Ryanair, and BA schedules from across the UK. UK visitors now clear Schengen EES biometrics here.

UK leisure traffic

Palma handles more UK passengers than almost any other single Spanish airport in July–August. Jet2 and TUI package holidays land here alongside low-cost scheduled carriers.

For Ibiza, allow ferry or connecting flight time from PMI — do not assume same-airport transfers.

EES biometric border checks

Since October 2025, UK passport holders normally complete Entry/Exit System biometrics when arriving in and leaving the Schengen area. At a high-volume leisure gateway like PMI, that means more landside time than pre-Brexit stamp-and-go — especially when several inbound banks arrive together.

Use FlightLogic’s buffer checklist at /guides/eu-ees-border-checks-uk-travellers/. Do not confuse EES with ETIAS — the online authorisation is still not open to apply.

More comparisons

Compare Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) against 59 other airports
Compare Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) against 59 other airports

FAQ

Which is better, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport or Palma de Mallorca Airport?

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) scores higher overall at 8.1/10 versus Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) at 7.3/10.

Which has better lounges, MEL or PMI?

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) scores higher for lounges at 8.6/10, versus Palma de Mallorca Airport at 7.0/10.

Which airport is more on-time, MEL or PMI?

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) has stronger on-time performance at 8.0/10 versus Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) at 7.0/10.