Guides Flight statuses, explained
What the statuses on the departures board actually mean — and what to do when you see them.
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled | No operational update yet. | Relax — this is normal until a few hours before departure. |
| Check-in open | Desks and bag drop are accepting passengers. | The board shows the desk numbers when published. |
| Boarding | Passengers are boarding at the gate. | Be at the gate now — at BCN some gates are a 15-minute walk from security. |
| Final call | The gate is about to close. | Go directly to the gate — jog, don't browse. |
| Gate closed | Boarding has ended. | If you're not on board, contact your airline's desk immediately. |
| Departed | The aircraft has left. | — |
| Expected | The inbound flight is airborne with an estimated landing time. | Nothing to do — times firm up as it approaches. |
| Landed | The aircraft is on the ground at BCN. | Allow 20–35 minutes for passengers with checked bags to reach the arrivals hall. |
| Delayed | A new estimated time has been published. | The board flips to the new time, with the original struck out beside it. Still go by the original time until the airline confirms — delays can shrink. |
| Cancelled | The flight will not operate. | Contact the airline for rebooking. EU air passenger rights (EC 261) may apply. |
| Diverted | An inbound flight is landing at a different airport. | Check with the airline before travelling to meet it. |
Delays at BCN
Delays cluster in the early morning, when inbound aircraft arrive late from overnight rotations, and again in the late afternoon. The board strikes out the original time next to the new one, so a widespread disruption is visible at a glance on the departures board.
Why boards sometimes disagree
Airline apps, airport screens and flight-data providers update at slightly different moments, so a flight can briefly show different statuses in different places. For decisions that matter — leaving for the airport, missing a connection — treat your airline as the final word. Every page here shows exactly when its data was last updated.