Review of Level Airlines
In Summer 2024, I planned a trip to Barcelona, Spain, traveling from Atlanta, Georgia. During my search, I was dismayed to find flight prices for basic economy well over $1,200. As an American traveler, this is often the story when planning a vacation to Europe, and it leads many to defer their plans to go abroad.
I then stumbled upon an airline called Level Airlines. I was intrigued to find that Level offered a round-trip flight from New York City's JFK Airport to Barcelona's El Prat Airport for only $360.
Level Airlines is a Spanish-based low-cost, long-haul carrier operated by International Airlines Group (a parent company to other Spanish airline brands, including Iberia Airlines and Vueling). Level offers direct flights from Barcelona to Miami, Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
This low-cost, direct flight was motivation enough for me to try Level Airlines, and today I offer my honest review of whether it is a reasonable option for saving money on flights to Barcelona.
Flight Times
Level Airlines' departure times are on par with those of other major airlines. You can expect a nighttime departure with an arrival in Barcelona the next day.
My flight from JFK left at 11:40 p.m. and landed in Spain at 1:35 p.m. with a flight time of 7 hours and 45 minutes. This departure allowed me to sleep at a more traditional time, since I was coming from the Eastern Time Zone.
Arriving back in America presented a problem, as the arrival times for Level were all after 8 p.m. and past the point of catching a return flight to Atlanta that day. My return flight landed at JFK at 9:40 p.m. Because of this, I opted to stay a couple of nights in New York City before returning to Atlanta.
Finding Your Gate
After landing in New York City from Atlanta, I had to exit the airport at one terminal then re-enter at another (Terminal 8) to reach Level Airlines. This required a lengthy walk and a ride on the AirTrain, but the signage in JFK is pretty straightforward. The check-in area for Level was well-marked and on the terminal map.
As I entered TSA, my boarding pass listed the terminal number but did not list a gate number. This was stressful as there were more than 40 gates spanning in opposite directions. With no information desk available, I resorted to the flight board for guidance.
Level Airlines was not listed, but I did find a flight to Barcelona with Iberia Airlines at the same departure time. The gate was an American Airlines gate and did not list Level on the electronic gate board; however, a flight attendant confirmed this was the correct gate for my flight.
Finding the gate for my departure from Barcelona was much easier. Level Airlines Departs from Terminal 1 at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
Again, no gate number was listed on the boarding pass, but the flight board listed my flight as a Level Airlines flight with the corresponding gate number. At the gate, the screen confirmed this was a Level flight.
The standard for Level Airlines is for all groups to queue before entering the gate.
This caused congestion and prolonged standing time, and overall, I found it less efficient than systematically announcing the groups.
In Flight
My plane to Barcelona was an Airbus A330 with a 3x3x3 seating configuration. I booked a window seat, but much of my legroom was taken up by a box, so I could not fit my bag. The seats were also relatively narrow.
Because of these factors, comfort was lacking; however, there is the option to upgrade to a seat with more legroom.
My flight returning to America was also an Airbus A300, but with a 2 x 3 x 2 seat configuration.
This flight was much more comfortable with ample legroom and wider seats.
Level offers free Wi-Fi for basic messaging, like in iMessage or WhatsApp.
For full internet access, you can purchase it by the hour or for the entire flight. I purchased Wi-Fi for the entire flight, but it was unreliable and spotty.
Other in-flight amenities are available (blankets, neck pillows, socks, etc.), but be prepared to pay for them. I purchased earbuds for my return flight for a modest €3.50, and they came in an attractive, compact case.
Food and Drink
When choosing your seat on Level Airlines, you can pay for a basic ticket that does not include meal service or a checked bag, or pay a higher price for one that includes both. I opted for the basic ticket.
On my return flight, I opted to purchase a meal. Despite expecting to pay for food and drinks, I was not charged for either. The food options were reasonable, with sandwiches, snacks, and vegetarian-friendly options. There is a decent selection of both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.
So, Should You Book Level Airlines?
The short answer to this question is… maybe. I found Level Airlines to be a fair-to-good overall experience. My flight was close to $1,000 less than I would have paid booking directly through Atlanta; however, I booked my connecting flight with reward points.
My flight to Barcelona was suboptimal, but my flight back to New York was good.
Final Points to Consider:
1. The cost of your flight can vary significantly based on the day of your departure. Many options change by $200 or more when booking within a single day of each other.
You benefit most from a Level Flight if your travel dates are flexible.
2. If you do not live within a reasonable drive from one of the airports serviced by Level, prepare to spend a night at that location upon your return.
Factor this into your cost when comparing other flight options. You should also factor in the price of the additional flight or drive to and from the departing airport.
3. You are not given your gate number on your boarding pass and do not know it until you have arrived at the terminal. Finding the appropriate gate can be unclear, adding stress to an already busy day.
Build in an extra 30 minutes to 1 hour to find your gate.
Bon Voyage!
Published: October 14, 2024 - Updated November 20, 2025
