Flying between Barcelona and Granada

Think Southwest Airlines and their general seating: first come first served. It's a short flight, so would it matter much if you were split up for the flight (and even then someone might be kind enough to switch)? Do pay the luggage fee upfront as it is probably more expensive at the time of your flight. Luggage restrictions are usually strictly enforced.

Is your round-trip flight to/from Barcelona already purchased? A little odd to use Barcelona as a base for a trip to Andalucía. Unless there is some other reason, consider an open jaw (multi-city) ticket. Fly into Barcelona (I assume you want to spend some time there) and out of either Sevilla or Malaga. Or wherever your last vacation stop is (Madrid is another good option - only 2.5 hours by train from Sevilla).

Thanks Wonderful and Douglas! Our tour begins and ends in Granada, and we're spending five days in Barcelona beforehand. The airfare r/t from Barcelona was cheaper than flying into Granada, and we still would have had to deal with a r/t flight to or from Barcelona. I noticed on Iberia they have their basic fare which is carry-on only, and the next fare up includes reserved seat and one checked back, but it is almost $100 more each way. That's why I was thinking of going basic and paying the fee for the bag. But I don't want to run into any trouble at the airport!

Deborah

I don't know Iberia's regular baggage fee, but $100 sounds high for a seat assignment/baggage combo. Last time I didn't have an assigned seat, I chose one right up front, next to a (quiet) baby. As already mentioned, it's a short flight.

Do they not have any option for pre-purchasing a luggage fee that doesn't include the seat assignment? Sometimes you'll find that when you enter your data and check that you will have X amount of checked bags, it will offer for you to pay that fee at the time of booking. It's almost always cheaper that way than paying at the airport.

Deborah,
Also check Vueling's web site, because some of the Iberia flights are actually operated by Vueling (which I think I remember reading Iberia also owns).

For a flight I am considering (Barcelona to Granada) , the costs are less by booking directly with Vueling, and it is the exact same time as the same flight with Iberia (so I would guess it will be the SAME plane).

What I can't figure out is if I book the mid-level fare on Vueling that includes a checked bag and seat selection, does that mean I can also take a smaller carry-on bag? Does a purse count as a carry-on, or is the purse considered a personal item (such as with US carriers)?

I asked these questions here, not to hi-jack your posting, but I am guessing you will have the same questions....either with Iberia or Vueling. Maybe someone can help both of us.

Also, for the road warriors out there who might help, I had considered buying one of Rick Steves' new smaller-size rollaboards (so we can do carry-on only), but it appears Vueling's/Iberia's size restrictions are about an inch smaller than Rick's new rollaboard.....am I wrong?