Alicante Airport Departures
The table above shows you real time information on flight departures from Alicante airport. It is always advisable to check your departure time before you start your journey to the airport. This is in case there are any delays, or even cancellations that could affect you. If you are departing from Alicante then reading through the following may be useful, as procedures have changed since the NAT Terminal opened.
Alicante's new terminal is an impressive building that is modern and light. It cost around £550 million to build, so you would expect this. It is 6 times larger than the previous two terminals combined. It has 96 check-in counters, 40 boarding gates and 15 air bridges, and it is capable of handling over 7,500 pieces of luggage every hour.
Drop Off Zone for Passengers
The departures area is located on Level 2 and all public transport methods will drop passengers off here, so it is just a short walk to the terminal.
You can dropped off a passenger by car at the 'Drop Zone', which is located on Level 2. This area is large, so there is plenty of space to stop and remove all luggage whilst you drop off your passenger, and it is not necessary to buy a ticket. To find this area, just follow the 'Drop Zone' signs as you enter the airport, and it will take you to the drop off zone.
If you want to wait or help your passenger through the check-in process, you will be required to park in the short-term car park. Please note that you can only leave your car for 5 minutes in the drop off zone, so leaving it longer than this will incur a fine. You can find more about short-term parking here.
Check-In Procedures
When you are departing from the airport, ensure you arrive and check in on time. The standard check in times apply, which are:
- Check in 1 hour before departure for domestic flights
- Check in 2 hours before departure for Schengen and European flights
- Check in 3 hours before departure for long haul flights
When you enter the terminal, proceed to your check-in desk and either check-in or drop off your luggage. All the desks are numbered and there are large overhead monitors as you enter the departures area that tell you which number if your check-in desk. At the desk, you will need all your documents (your passport, a visa if applicable, and a booking reservation number/boarding pass), so have them on hand for all passengers. If you have any overweight luggage you may have to proceed to a second counter dedicated to large luggage. The check-in staff will advise you if this is necessary, if not, you can proceed to the security check area.
If you wish to have a coffee or snack before you go through security, then you will find a Tapas bar and a Fast food restaurant in the departures area. This will be the last place to say goodbye to any family members before you depart, as its restricted access once you have passed security. You can find out all the places to eat and drink here.
The Departures Hall and Boarding your Plane
As you enter the departures hall, you will see large overhead monitors in several locations that display boarding information. Keep an eye on these during your stay, as they will tell which boarding gate to proceed to and when.
As you may have to wait 1 or 2 hours until you board your plane, you will find many shops in the terminal to keep you occupied. There is free Wi-Fi and charging spots for your mobile phone, cash machines and a VIP Lounge. You can find a full list of shops and their location here.
Contacting the Airport
You can contact the departures hall directly on (+34) 966 919 400 if you need any more information.
If you are looking to get to Alicante airport by public transport, we have dedicated information on all forms transport. If you are looking to catch a bus from Benidorm, Denia or any other city on the Costa Blanca, have a look at our travelling by bus page for routes and prices. Since arriving by train is also an option, you can find out where trains depart and ticket prices on our travelling by train page.