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Verdict

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) scores higher overall at 7.3/10 versus London Stansted Airport (STN) at 6.9/10.

Score comparison

Metric Palma de Mallorca Airport London Stansted Airport
FlightLogic Score 7.3 6.9
On-Time Performance 7.0 6.7
Passenger Experience 7.2 6.8
Facilities & Comfort 7.6 7.0
Lounge Score 7.0 6.8
City Palma London
Country Spain United Kingdom
Terminals 1 main terminal (4 modules A–D) 1 main terminal
Annual passengers 32M+ 28M+

Operational comparison

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

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

Detailed profiles

Palma, Spain · PMI · #1 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.

London, United Kingdom · STN · #2 in this comparison

London Stansted Airport

1 main terminal · 28M+ passengers/year

6.9 / 10

How good is London Stansted Airport?

London Stansted Airport (STN) scores 6.9/10 (Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (6.7), passenger experience (6.8), and facilities (7.0). Lounge quality rates 6.8/10. See full airport guide →

In short

London Stansted (STN) is rated 6.9/10 on FlightLogic — primarily a Ryanair and Jet2 leisure hub. Stansted Express to Liverpool Street ~45 min. Escape Lounge for Priority Pass. UK261 covers all departures. See /guides/stansted-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 6.9 Good
On-time 6.7 Departure reliability
Experience 6.8 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.0 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 6.8 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
6.7
Passenger Experience
6.8
Facilities & Comfort
7.0
Lounge score 6.8/10

Highlights

  • Ryanair's largest UK base — dominant low-cost hub for Europe and Mediterranean leisure routes
  • Stansted Express reaches London Liverpool Street in ~45 minutes — fastest rail link among London secondary airports
  • Single-terminal layout simplifies navigation; Escape Lounge accepts Priority Pass with pre-book recommended
  • UK261 applies to all UK-departing flights — including Ryanair and Jet2

Overview

London's third airport and Ryanair's largest UK base — single-terminal design, Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, and Escape Lounge for Priority Pass holders.

Ryanair hub and low-cost operations

Stansted is Ryanair's largest UK base, handling the majority of Europe and Mediterranean leisure traffic from London's eastern corridor. easyJet and Jet2 also operate significant schedules. For UK travellers chasing lowest fares, STN often undercuts Gatwick and Luton on the same routes — but factor in Stansted Express rail costs and strict Ryanair baggage rules.

UK261 compensation applies to all flights departing Stansted regardless of fare paid. A 3+ hour arrival delay on a UK-regulated flight triggers £220–£520 per passenger if the delay was the airline's fault.

Getting to central London

Stansted Express runs to Liverpool Street every 15 minutes at peak, taking ~45 minutes. National Express coaches serve Victoria and other London terminals — often cheaper but slower in traffic. Uber/Bolt use signed ride-app zones landside.

Compare STN against Gatwick (/airports/gatwick) and Luton for your route — Stansted wins on Ryanair frequency; Gatwick wins on Virgin long-haul and lounge depth.

More comparisons

Compare Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) against 59 other airports
Compare London Stansted Airport (STN) against 59 other airports

FAQ

Which is better, Palma de Mallorca Airport or London Stansted Airport?

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) scores higher overall at 7.3/10 versus London Stansted Airport (STN) at 6.9/10.

Which has better lounges, PMI or STN?

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) scores higher for lounges at 7.0/10, versus London Stansted Airport at 6.8/10.

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

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) has stronger on-time performance at 7.0/10 versus London Stansted Airport (STN) at 6.7/10.