SkyPriority at BCN
 

Has anyone traveled through BCN recently? Apologies for such focused/individual questions, but I could not find many answers on DL.com or here. (Not every destination merits a "Flying to London on DL" thread! :cool: )

1. Arrivals. Is there an expedited immigration line for STE+ members? (A la CDG, or akin to Fastpass at LHR?) Flying in Y, not J.

2. Departures. Any separate SkyPriority security line?

3. Lounges. I know that the lounges are contract lounges run by the airport. There does not appear to be any arrivals lounge. Are there any facilities (similar to Yotel at LHR) where one can shower upon arrival?

Many thanks.

I don't recall seeing any expedited immigration lines in terminal 1 on arrival.

I'm pretty sure there was a priority line when departing in terminal 1.

I recall using the Sala VIP lounge when waiting for my departure flights, but don't think I was able to access it on my arrivals. I don't recall if it was my airline status or use of my Priority Pass Select that allowed entry. It's a decent place.

AFAIK BCN has several contract lounges, of which Sala is one, in the schengen and nonschengen areas. NW/DL and KLM have given me lounge invitations at check in at BCN. The lounges are pretty nice.

1. Arrivals. No expedited immigration line. Never seen a long line.

2. Departures. SkyPriority line for check in & at the gate, but no special security line. BCN is fair to all, there is NO priority security for anyone. It's a pretty fast line in my experience.

3. Lounges. contract lounges are departure only. They do have showers, however they charge for towel rental!

Automated Border Passage
 

Does BCN have the automated border passage machines (the ones that compare your face to the chip in the passport and let you through without interacting with a human, like LHR, AMS,and others?)

BCN does not have autoamted passage machines. Terminal 1 is nice but getting there is the rough part.

I Googled After I Posted....
 

http://www.airport-technology.com/ne...anish-airports

Indra has revamped the Automatic Border Control (ABC) systems at the Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat airports in Spain, which were originally installed in 2010.

#2 - Was at BCN 3 weeks ago BCN-AMS with KLM, there was a priority security line, can't remember what it was called but you need to ask for a pass when you check in at the counter. They will give you a yellow paper to hand the security agent, boarding pass/medallion card is not sufficient without the paper

On the Scene Inspection
 

Flying into Barcelona from the US last week there was a whole bank of about 20 new looking automated border passage machines - all roped off and not in operation.

This is only relevant to/helpful for EU passport holders (and not US passport holders), correct? Even Global Entry participants would not be eligible unless there was an expressed agreement (a la SmartGate), right?

Only EU and EEA passport holders can use the automated gates in European airports, in my experience. The one exception I am aware of is Privium at Schiphol, but this provides automated border passage and a separate security line and has an annual fee.