Travellers can now experience Oneworld’s Cathay Pacific in its premium economy class en route from Spain to Japan – with a slight detour to Hong Kong both ways. These tickets currently come with a price tag as little as €1,231 and include two checked bags of up to 23kg each. Departures are scattered from May 2025 to March 2026 in Madrid and between May and September 2025 in Barcelona.
You can score the following fares with departure from Madrid:
When starting from Barcelona, the following prices are possible:
Spanish students can get an additional 10% discount on the airfare, and extra baggage allowance when using the code ESSTUNDENTwhile booking on Cathay Pacific’s website. You can find more about the offer here.
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days without overnight stays. It will forward you to Skyscanner with your selected flight dates. There you can proceed to Cathay Pacific’s website or check what OTAs have to offer, as they sell these tickets up to €120 cheaper.
The long-haul flights are operated by Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A350-900 fleet. These come with a 2-4-2 seating pattern in premium economy, compared to the 3-3-3 in economy class. You will continue your journey to Japan on another Cathay Pacific wide-body aircraft in premium economy or economy, depending on your booking.
The Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific consistently gets ranked as one of the top airlines in the annual Skytrax report. So it’s not a big surprise that also their premium economy class product gets good reviews from passengers who travelled with them. While the soft product is excellent, the seats have become a bit outdated, which is why the airline is currently installing a newer generation of seats.
Most European passport holders can spend up to 90 days in Japan visa-free.
Search & Book
According to the fare rules, these tickets are available for purchase without any specific travel or sales period. There is no minimum stay requirement, but a maximum stay of six months applies. Departures are scattered from May 2025 to March 2026 in Madrid and between May and September 2025 in Barcelona.
You can find further dates by checking Google Flights (instructions). Once you’ve found suiting travel dates, enter them on Skyscanner to see to check which online travel agencies offer the best prices – or proceed to Cathay Pacific’s website.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Miles & Points
Cathay Pacific issues premium economy segments in booking class E, short-haul flights are booking class H. A trip from Barcelona to Tokyo earns as follows:
- 16,840 Miles on Bangkok Airways FlyerBonus
- 16,840 Award Miles on LATAM Pass
- 16,840 Miles on SriLankan FlySmiLes
- 15,602 Avios + 106 Qpoints on Qatar Privilege Club
- 15,602 Points + 22 Elite Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- 15,602 Miles on Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer
- 15,602 Miles on Royal Jordanian Royal Club
- 15,534 Points on Finnair Plus
- 15,534 Avios + 970 Tier Points on The British Airways Club
- 15,534 Avios + 2,900 Elite Points on Iberia Plus 2025
- 14,916 Miles on American AAdvantage
- 14,058 Miles on Alaska Mileage Plan
- 10,378 Miles on Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- 4,000 AsiaMiles + 170 Club Points on Asia Miles
- Customize Calculation
Destinations
Information & Tips for Japan
Japan offers a blend of modern cities and natural beauty, with highlights including Tokyo’s bustling urban landscape, Kyoto’s historic temples, Mount Fuji, and the hot springs of Hakone. The currency is the Japanese yen (JPY), and credit cards are widely accepted in urban areas, though cash is still common in rural regions. Japan can be pricey, especially in cities, with high costs for accommodation and dining, but budget options are available. The weather varies by region: summers are hot and humid, while winters can be cold, particularly in the north. The best time to visit is typically during spring (for cherry blossoms) or autumn (for fall foliage).
Japan’s transport infrastructure is highly efficient and easy to navigate. In cities like Tokyo and Osaka, the metro and train systems are extensive, punctual, and relatively easy to use, though they can get crowded during peak hours. Buses and taxis are also available, but less convenient for tourists. For intercity travel, Japan’s Shinkansen (bullet trains) are fast, comfortable, and reliable, though more expensive than other options. Buses and domestic flights are also available for longer distances, but trains remain the preferred choice for many travellers due to speed and convenience.
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The Best eSIM Plans for Japan 🇯🇵 Compared
→ All Dealz for Japan