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MAD transit tips
I am doing LHR-MAD-TFN tomorrow, ticketed via IB. The first leg is on BA metal into T4S, the second is IB from T4. I have over 2 hours for the connection but some sage words of advice would be welcome.
1) I read elsewhere about having to identify bags - please tell me this is nonsense!
2) I'm BA gold flying in Y - what's the best lounge option?
Any other tips? Have heard it can be bad
Many thanks
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I do not speak on behalf of British Airways, which is unsurprising as I don't work for them.
I am doing LHR-MAD-TFN tomorrow, ticketed via IB. The first leg is on BA metal into T4S, the second is IB from T4. I have over 2 hours for the connection but some sage words of advice would be welcome.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by angatol
Quote:
Originally Posted by dubbin
I am doing LHR-MAD-TFN tomorrow, ticketed via IB. The first leg is on BA metal into T4S, the second is IB from T4. I have over 2 hours for the connection but some sage words of advice would be welcome.
Cut your legs off
Is that like saying 'break a leg' or are there advantages to being limbless for this journey?
The four times I have transited in MAD my luggage didn't make it to the second leg. And don't cut those legs off until you have used them to run from one terminal to the other.
Actually, I think last time a separate bus transferred us, but we still had to run to the gate.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dubbin
2) I'm BA gold flying in Y - what's the best lounge option?
There is no "best" option, but there is your "only" option. The IB lounges at MAD are fine although the food offering can be a bit weak. At T4 you'll find it central in the terminal and up a flight of stairs...
The IB seats on the A319 remind me a little bit of the story of the Sodom beds from the Old Testament... The people of Sodom would let you stay the night, but they would make you fit the bed. If you weren't quite long enough, they'd stretch you out; if you were too long, they'd chop off the bottom of your legs.
So unless you're 2 years old, or stopped physically developing at that age, you're in for a nasty ride.
(Incidentally, you might recall my rant about my recent IB MAD-TLV flight - it still baffles me that IB sends A319s to TLV, but A340s to LHR... If the IB chief needs help running his company, I'm available on a part-time basis )
The IB seats on the A319 remind me a little bit of the story of the Sodom beds from the Old Testament... The people of Sodom would let you stay the night, but they would make you fit the bed. If you weren't quite long enough, they'd stretch you out; if you were too long, they'd chop off the bottom of your legs.
So unless you're 2 years old, or stopped physically developing at that age, you're in for a nasty ride.
(Incidentally, you might recall my rant about my recent IB MAD-TLV flight - it still baffles me that IB sends A319s to TLV, but A340s to LHR... If the IB chief needs help running his company, I'm available on a part-time basis )
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Hmm, not too much in the way of actionable advice so far, though the end-of-term atmosphere is charming. So, one more specific question - use it as you will:
Do I have to reclear security at MAD for what I gather is an international to domestic transfer?
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I do not speak on behalf of British Airways, which is unsurprising as I don't work for them.
I have spent time at the lounge at 4S. As said, the food offering is weak.
Decent selection of Spanish wine tho
What they do have is sandwiches to take away - I strongly advise you to snaffle a few. I have flown in Y with IB and the food was both scarce and yukky.
99% certain have to go through security though it is pretty painless. Obviously you'll have to clear immigration too. Never had an issue transitting there. No need to identify bags - where on earth did you hear that from?!
The T4 lounge is pretty decent. Food offerings are OK, the best part being a shelf of sandwiches and other snacks that are designed you for to take on board.
The regular seat pitch on the Airbus fleet could be brutal with plastic backed Recaro seats. I2 sounds hellish - enough to ensure I will never fly them.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dubbin
Hmm, not too much in the way of actionable advice so far, though the end-of-term atmosphere is charming. So, one more specific question - use it as you will:
Do I have to reclear security at MAD for what I gather is an international to domestic transfer?
As you are coming into T4S on BA you will have to clear passport control and security. T4S does have E-passport gates if you have a chipped passport.
Transfer security is as Swanhunter says quite easy.
I have never had to identify luggage before and have never had bags mis-connect on the numerous occasions I have transited MAD on IB/BA.
Regards,
G-BPED
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