RouteRankingIf you are flying from Belfast to Alicante, the most reliable option right now is the 17:30 Ryanair UK departure (RK9571), arriving on time 100% of the time based on recent flight data. Choosing the wrong flight can reduce your chances of arriving on time by up to 11 percentage points. See the full rankings on the Belfast to Alicante route page.
Belfast to Alicante is one of Northern Ireland's most popular sun routes, with Ryanair, Ryanair UK, easyJet and Jet2 all operating direct services from Belfast International Airport. The flight takes around 3 hours. Based on recent data, there is a clear difference in reliability depending on which departure you choose.
The data behind the analysis
We analysed recent historical flight arrival data across flights operating between Belfast and Alicante over the past 60 days.
Belfast → Alicante
| Flight | Departure | On-Time % |
|---|---|---|
| RK9571 (Ryanair UK) | 17:30 | 100.00% |
| FR9558 (Ryanair) | 17:15 | 88.89% |
The top performing flight is the 17:30 Ryanair UK departure (RK9571), which has arrived on time on every single tracked flight. This is currently the most reliable option on the route based on recent data.
The 17:15 Ryanair departure (FR9558) still performs well at 88.89%, though the gap between the two is notable given they depart just 15 minutes apart.
If you want the safest bet for an on-time arrival, the RK9571 is the clear winner. For the latest rankings and additional flights, check the Belfast to Alicante route page.
Note: RK9571 is based on 22 observations, below our standard 30-flight confidence threshold. We have included it because the data is directionally strong, but the percentage may shift as more flights are tracked. FR9558 is based on 54 observations.
Does departure time matter?
Both tracked departures leave in the late afternoon, so this route does not yet show a meaningful morning versus evening pattern. The key difference right now is between the two operators rather than the time of day.
That said, both flights cluster around the 17:00 to 17:30 window, so if you are flexible on airline, picking the Ryanair UK service gives you an edge.
Flights from Alicante to Belfast
On the return leg, the pattern flips. The early morning Ryanair departure dominates on punctuality, while the late evening Ryanair UK service is slightly less consistent. The 04:55 departure (FR9559) performs best at 94.34%.
The 21:00 Ryanair UK departure (RK9570) arrives on time around 90.91% of the time. Full details are available on the Alicante to Belfast route page.
Alicante → Belfast
| Flight | Departure | On-Time % |
|---|---|---|
| FR9559 (Ryanair) | 04:55 | 94.34% |
| RK9570 (Ryanair UK) | 21:00 | 90.91% |
The early morning Ryanair flight outperforms the evening Ryanair UK return by about 3.4 percentage points. If you are catching a connection or need to be back in Belfast by a certain time, the red-eye is the safer choice.
Note: RK9570 is based on 22 observations, below our standard 30-flight confidence threshold. FR9559 is based on 53 observations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Belfast to Alicante? The flight from Belfast to Alicante takes approximately 3 hours.
Which flight has the best on-time record? Based on recent data tracked by RouteRanking, the 17:30 Ryanair UK departure (RK9571) is the most punctual on the outbound, arriving on time 100% of the time. On the return, the 04:55 Ryanair departure (FR9559) leads at 94.34%.
Which airlines fly this route? Ryanair and Ryanair UK operate year-round services from Belfast International Airport to Alicante. easyJet and Jet2 also fly the route seasonally.
How often are flights delayed on this route? Based on recent data, around 6 to 11% of flights on this route experience delays depending on the departure you choose.
Is this a domestic flight? No. Belfast to Alicante is an international flight from Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) to Spain. You will need a valid passport to travel.
What are the return flight options? Alicante to Belfast has two tracked departures, with the 04:55 Ryanair service (FR9559) typically the most reliable. See the Alicante to Belfast route page for the latest data.