Which lounge in MAD to spend 4 hours
Feb 6, 2017, 7:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 163
Which lounge in MAD to spend 4 hours
Need some advice on which lounge to spend about 4 hours in.
Never been to MAD airport. Flying ORD-MAD in business with about 4 hours to kill before my flight to FCO.
Not sure what terminal we will be arriving and what terminal we will be departing. Perhaps someone on this board knows.
Anyway, which is the best lounge that I can take advantage of and where can I find it? Is the food complimentary or for pay?
Thanks in advance.
Never been to MAD airport. Flying ORD-MAD in business with about 4 hours to kill before my flight to FCO.
Not sure what terminal we will be arriving and what terminal we will be departing. Perhaps someone on this board knows.
Anyway, which is the best lounge that I can take advantage of and where can I find it? Is the food complimentary or for pay?
Thanks in advance.
Feb 6, 2017, 7:33 am
#2
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
Your only choice will be the Dalí lounge in T4 main (unless you have priority pass). It's on the upper level in front of the main security checkpoint. It might be easier to go all the way landside and then go through fast track security rather than the standard transfer security.
Food and drink is free.
Food and drink is free.
Feb 6, 2017, 7:44 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 163
Your only choice will be the Dalí lounge in T4 main (unless you have priority pass). It's on the upper level in front of the main security checkpoint. It might be easier to go all the way landside and then go through fast track security rather than the standard transfer security.
Food and drink is free.
Food and drink is free.
Feb 6, 2017, 8:09 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 163
Feb 6, 2017, 8:37 am
#6
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
The Velázquez lounge is in the non-Schengen area of T4S. You will be directed to pass through immigration to enter the Schengen area since your next flight is a Schengen flight which means you won't be able to get there.
Feb 6, 2017, 8:46 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 163
Feb 6, 2017, 12:50 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 324
I'm flying IB, (ORD-MAD), in J, with a 6 hour layover, then connecting to an Air Nostrum Schengen flight to TRN.
I've done similar connections in the past, and have always found my way to the Velázquez Lounge. But this thread seems to say that I shouldn't have access or even be able to get there, since my connection is to a Schengen flight.
Lupine, would you be able to clarify lounge access for the different types of connections at MAD, and which lounges in which terminals the connecting passenger has access to?
Thank you!
Feb 6, 2017, 1:27 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,351
Not really, since the issue gets brought up every few days in new threads.
If you leave from T4, you can go to the IB lounge in T4 (Dalě) or to the AENA lounge in T4 (Plaza Mayor). The former with (or connecting to/from) a J ticket or with elite OW status, the latter by paying or with Priority Pass or similar subscription.
If you leave from T4S, you can go to the IB lounge in T4S (Velázquez) or to the AENA lounge in T4S (Neptuno). The former with (or connecting to/from) a J ticket or with elite OW status, the latter by paying or with Priority Pass or similar subscription.
There really isn't more to the rules.
I'm flying IB, (ORD-MAD), in J, with a 6 hour layover, then connecting to an Air Nostrum Schengen flight to TRN.
I've done similar connections in the past, and have always found my way to the Velázquez Lounge. But this thread seems to say that I shouldn't have access or even be able to get there, since my connection is to a Schengen flight.
Lupine, would you be able to clarify lounge access for the different types of connections at MAD, and which lounges in which terminals the connecting passenger has access to?
Thank you!
I've done similar connections in the past, and have always found my way to the Velázquez Lounge. But this thread seems to say that I shouldn't have access or even be able to get there, since my connection is to a Schengen flight.
Lupine, would you be able to clarify lounge access for the different types of connections at MAD, and which lounges in which terminals the connecting passenger has access to?
Thank you!
If you leave from T4S, you can go to the IB lounge in T4S (Velázquez) or to the AENA lounge in T4S (Neptuno). The former with (or connecting to/from) a J ticket or with elite OW status, the latter by paying or with Priority Pass or similar subscription.
There really isn't more to the rules.
Feb 6, 2017, 1:59 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 324
Thank you Yllanes. This is clear. I'm arriving in 4S, and departing from Terminal 4.
However, I really do prefer the Velázquez to the Dalí. Since my connection time is over 6 hours, would it be possible to go the Velázquez in 4S, spend my layover there, and then just go directly to the gate in Terminal 4 as my Schengen departure time approached? And what kind of time is required for this transfer of terminals?
However, I really do prefer the Velázquez to the Dalí. Since my connection time is over 6 hours, would it be possible to go the Velázquez in 4S, spend my layover there, and then just go directly to the gate in Terminal 4 as my Schengen departure time approached? And what kind of time is required for this transfer of terminals?
Feb 6, 2017, 3:05 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,351
The problem is that they won't let you into the departure area of T4S without a boarding pass for a flight that leaves from T4S.
As a reference for the time to transfer terminals, in my last ORD-MAD-Schengen trip it took me 21 min to go from the plane to Sala Dalí (including border control, security checkpoint, train and walking along the long terminals). That's probably an underestimate for most people, since I am a fast walker and know the airport very well.
As a reference for the time to transfer terminals, in my last ORD-MAD-Schengen trip it took me 21 min to go from the plane to Sala Dalí (including border control, security checkpoint, train and walking along the long terminals). That's probably an underestimate for most people, since I am a fast walker and know the airport very well.
Feb 10, 2017, 7:38 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 163
Thanks all. Sounds like my only choice is Dali since I'm arriving in 4S and departing in 4.
However, really never been in this airport before, what is preventing me from going to the Velazquez in 4S then going to 4 for my flight?
However, really never been in this airport before, what is preventing me from going to the Velazquez in 4S then going to 4 for my flight?
Feb 10, 2017, 8:09 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA, AF
Posts: 10,129
There is a security check which scans boarding passes. If you're not going to a non-Schengen flight, they'll direct you over to immigration. The only exception is if you are transferring to LHR on an IB-narrowbody operated flight that is departing from H gates and you are not allowed Schengen entry.
Feb 10, 2017, 3:50 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
If you aren't aware, the Schengen area has exit controls. So that part of the airport is in the area beyond the exit controls.