Are there direct flights from Catania or Palermo to Madrid in January?

I have searched websites, and it appears that the flights can take up to 10 hours.
Please help.
How far in advance do I need to book? How reliable are the flights.

Thanks

Shouldn't take 10 hours at all, but you may be limited by only a few flights a week, not daily.

If you haven't already, try www.iberia.com (although they may be limited to Summer only) or www.veuling.com or (as much as I don't like to recommend them) Ryanair for either Catania or Palermo to Madrid. Otherwise I believe that most airlines will connect through Rome or Barcelona from Sicily.

Try this site for flights: http://www.flylc.com/directall-en.asp#.Ut3WRPaIbLs

There are direct flights (1hr 50min) from Palermo to Barcelona on Iberia/Vueling for as low as €95, one-way. These flights are typically only available on Monday or Friday afternoons, depending on the dates.

Fares for direct (2hrs) http://www.ryanair.com/at flights from Trapani (Sicily) to Girona (Barcelona) start at 30 EUR.

Ryanair flights from Trapani to Girona-Costa Brava airport (not Barcelona) do not begin until 1 April, and flights are not scheduled everyday. You would then have to take the Ryanair bus into Barcelona.

You are right, Robert. I overlooked that Mandalay will travel in winter. Sorry!

You are right, Robert. I overlooked that Mandalay will travel in winter. Sorry!