Barcelona surges in summer travel this year, climbing into the ranks of Europe’s busiest flight corridors—but surprisingly, it doesn’t top the list.
According to fresh data from aviation analytics firm OAG, the Spanish city features twice among the top 10 most popular international flight routes for the 2025 summer season, yet another capital has claimed the number-one spot.
Top 10 Summer 2025 International Flight Routes in Europe
Spanning from March 30 to October 25, 2025, the latest OAG data outlines the most heavily traveled international flight paths involving Europe. Here’s the full breakdown of the top 10 routes, based on scheduled seat capacity:
| Route | Origin – Destination | Scheduled Seats |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rome (FCO) – Madrid (MAD) | 1,322,042 |
| 2 | Lisbon (LIS) – Madrid (MAD) | 1,287,024 |
| 3 | Copenhagen (CPH) – Oslo (OSL) | 1,266,916 |
| 4 | Düsseldorf (DUS) – Palma de Mallorca (PMI) | 1,258,485 |
| 5 | New York (JFK) – London Heathrow (LHR) | 1,229,245 |
| 6 | Dublin (DUB) – London Heathrow (LHR) | 1,220,720 |
| 7 | Amsterdam (AMS) – Barcelona (BCN) | 1,211,856 |
| 8 | Barcelona (BCN) – Rome (FCO) | 1,191,798 |
| 9 | Ercan (ECN) – Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) | 1,185,380 |
| 10 | Stockholm (ARN) – Copenhagen (CPH) | 1,168,296 |
Spain’s Dominance in the Skies
While Barcelona’s summer travel demand is soaring, Madrid steals the show. Not only does the Spanish capital appear twice in the top two busiest routes—connecting with Rome and Lisbon—but it also edges out Barcelona in overall capacity. In fact, five of the top 10 international routes either originate or end in Spain, confirming its enduring appeal to European and global travelers alike.
Barcelona, however, is far from overlooked. Two high-volume routes involving the Catalan city have secured spots in the top 10: flights from Amsterdam to Barcelona and from Barcelona to Rome. These pairings reflect a surge in cultural and leisure travel, particularly for beachgoers, festival fans, and history lovers eyeing Spain and Italy as prime summer escapes.
The Only Long-Haul Route—and What It Means
Among the short- and medium-haul giants, one standout breaks the trend: New York (JFK) to London Heathrow (LHR). Ranking fifth overall, this route remains the sole long-haul entry on the list, reaffirming its status as a transatlantic heavyweight. With over 1.2 million seats scheduled for summer 2025, it highlights the continued strength of U.S.-UK travel despite increased global competition.
This result also illustrates how London remains an anchor point not just for tourism, but for business travel, educational exchange, and family connections spanning continents.
Scandinavian Surprises and Regional Trends
Adding a northern twist, Scandinavian routes performed impressively. Copenhagen to Oslo is the third busiest route in Europe, and Stockholm to Copenhagen closes the list at number ten. These short-haul trunk routes are key lifelines for commuters, business travelers, and vacationers moving between Nordic capitals with efficiency and frequency.
Such performance underscores how strong intra-European demand remains—not just in the Mediterranean, but across the continent’s northern tier. The rise of budget carriers, improved airport infrastructure, and regional cooperation all contribute to this mobility surge.
Airfare Trends: Winners and Losers
OAG’s data also sheds light on changing ticket prices across these popular routes. While most have seen airfare increases compared to summer 2024, a few offer better deals this year. Here are some highlights:
- Biggest Increase: Ercan to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (+37%)
- Biggest Decrease: Düsseldorf to Palma de Mallorca (–25%)
- Also Down: Copenhagen to Oslo, Rome to Madrid
Travelers flexible with their destinations may benefit from targeting these routes, as reduced prices and high seat availability could make for an affordable European escape.
Conclusion: A Busy Summer Takes Flight
As Europe’s summer 2025 travel season gets underway, the skies are buzzing with activity. Spain’s aviation dominance, the prominence of Mediterranean routes, and the quiet strength of Scandinavian corridors paint a vibrant picture of air travel across the continent. And while Barcelona’s presence is impressive, it’s Rome to Madrid that claims this summer’s busiest crown—at least for now.
Travelers looking to explore Europe this season should keep these routes and price trends in mind when planning their next getaway. Whether heading to the beaches of Palma or the museums of Madrid, there’s no shortage of well-connected—and increasingly affordable—destinations to discover.
