Spain · BCN

LEBL Barcelona runways and takeoff performance

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (LEBL/BCN) serves Barcelona, Spain, at 12 ft above sea level. It has 3 paved runways; the longest, 06L/24R, is 3,353 m (11,000 ft). Below are the runway dimensions, how the layout works, and an example takeoff for the A320 and the 737-800 from each runway end of at least 1,800 m, worked out with the same performance engine SkyNexus uses for your own flights.

ICAO / IATA
LEBL / BCN
Elevation
12 ft
Runways
3
Position
41.297, 2.078

Runways at LEBL

RunwayLengthWidthHeading (true)SurfaceThreshold elev.
06L/24R3,353 m11,000 ft60 m066° / 246°Asphalt, lit8 ft / 10 ft
06R/24L2,660 m8,727 ft60 m066° / 246°Asphalt, lit8 ft / 8 ft
02/202,530 m8,300 ft45 m019° / 199°Asphalt, lit7 ft / 12 ft

The main direction is a set of two parallel runways (06L/24R and 06R/24L) on 066/246° true. 02/20 lies 47° off that axis and is the crosswind option when the wind blows across the main runways.

Lengths run from 2,530 m on 02/20 to 3,353 m on 06L/24R, a difference of 823 m.

Displaced thresholds: 06L 427 m. A displaced threshold shortens the landing distance from that end, not the takeoff run.

Example takeoff performance

Flap setting, assumed temperature (FLEX) and V1/VR/V2 in knots for an A320ceo at 70 t and a 737-800 at 72 t, from the start of each runway of at least 1,800 m. Conditions are a standard day so runway length and airport elevation are what change: ISA temperature at the runway elevation, QNH 1013, calm wind, dry, no obstacles.

Runway length shows in the numbers: from 06L (3,353 m) the A320 example uses CONF 1+F with an assumed temperature of 60 °C, while 02 (2,530 m) needs CONF 2 and 56 °C, so less thrust reduction.

At 12 ft above sea level the air is as dense as it gets, and the elevation costs nothing: the A320 example on 06L matches the same runway at sea level (CONF 1+F, 60 °C).

Near its maximum takeoff weight, at 77 t, the A320 example still gets CONF 1+F with an assumed temperature of 51 °C from 06L (3,353 m). The limiting end is 20 (2,530 m), which needs CONF 2 with an assumed temperature of 46 °C. On a hot day at full weight that is the runway to check before you accept it from ATC.

RunwayOATA320ceo flap / FLEX, V1/VR/V2737-800 flap / assumed, V1/VR/V2
06L3,353 m15°C1+F / 60°150/153/1565 / 67° max144/146/154
24R3,353 m15°C1+F / 60°150/153/1565 / 67° max144/146/154
06R2,660 m15°C2 / 57°140/143/1475 / 67° max144/146/154
24L2,660 m15°C2 / 57°140/143/1475 / 67° max144/146/154
022,530 m15°C2 / 56°138/140/1445 / 67° max144/146/154
202,530 m15°C2 / 56°138/140/1445 / 67° max144/146/154

The A320 V2 values include improved climb: with a long runway and a high assumed temperature, V2 is raised above its minimum so the one-engine climb gradient still holds. That is why V2 runs higher on the longer runways.

The 737-800 assumed temperature is at its FCOM maximum (marked max) from each runway end in the table, so at 72 t the runway is not what limits it.

An illustration for flight simulation, not for real-world operations. Your own numbers depend on weight, weather, runway condition, intersection and obstacles; SkyNexus computes them from your SimBrief plan and the live METAR. See the A320 performance calculator and the 737-800 performance calculator for how it works.

LEBL questions

How long is the longest runway at LEBL?
Runway 06L/24R at Barcelona is 3,353 m (11,000 ft) long and 60 m wide, surfaced in asphalt.
What is the elevation of Barcelona?
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport sits at 12 ft above sea level. Elevation lowers air density, which raises true airspeed at a given V-speed and lengthens the takeoff run, so it matters for performance.
Which flap setting does an A320 use for takeoff at LEBL?
In our reference example (70 t, ISA, calm wind, dry runway, full length) the A320 uses CONF 1+F or CONF 2 here. On a real day the answer moves with weight, temperature, wind and the runway condition; SkyNexus works it out from your SimBrief flight plan and the live METAR.
Which runway at LEBL limits a heavy A320 takeoff?
Near its maximum takeoff weight, at 77 t, the A320 example still gets CONF 1+F with an assumed temperature of 51 °C from 06L (3,353 m). The limiting end is 20 (2,530 m), which needs CONF 2 with an assumed temperature of 46 °C. On a hot day at full weight that is the runway to check before you accept it from ATC.

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Airport and runway data from OurAirports (public domain). Not for real-world navigation.