Feb 15, 2016, 2:13 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Connecting at MAD / Madrid Barajas International Airport
FEEL FREE TO EDIT OR ADD TO THIS WIKIPOST
FEEL FREE TO EDIT OR ADD TO THIS WIKIPOST
Madrid airport layout
Terminals include
Terminal 1: International. Star Alliance primarily (also the only non-Schengen area outside of T4)
Terminal 2: Domestic mostly. SkyTeam primarily
Terminal 3: Schengen and some Domestic mostly. Air France/KLM/Lufthansa usually leave from here, but really it's just a slight extension on T2
Terminals 1-2-3 are adjacent and host Star and SkyTeam alliances and are all connected airside.
Terminal 4: one world including Iberia
Domestic and Schengen mostly from Terminal 4
International from Terminal 4-S (satellite) (Except IB or I2 operated flights to UK and Ireland as well as BA CityFlyer flights to LCY that operate out of T4 Main, though note that usually one IB flight to LHR daily is operated by an A330 or A340, these flights go from T4-S).
Both connected by an underground train, though going from T4-S to T4 requires going landside and re-clearing security in order to access T4.
Terminals are connected by a landside shuttle bus service.
Connecting from non-Schengen to Schengen (or departing the airport) one must process immigration in T-4S. Queues can be lengthy at times; if you are an EU citizen, you wil lfind the kiosk to your right in the queues. If you are not, keep to the right of the general queues anyway, as the EU queues can empty and they begin waving non-EU passengers into the EU lines.
The train connecting the T4-S satellite to T4 must be accessed via lifts or stairs; the lifts are faster. A non-Schengen to Schengen connection can take an hour or longer - A 1.5 hours is recommended as minimum connect times, and possibly more for Schengen to non-Schengen if during busy hours due to security procedures, particularly for US flights. Status passengers on Iberia flights to the US have access to a separate priority queue to clear the extra US screening.
Connections to other terminals are by a landside shuttle bus located, and can take rather longer than one might think as T4 is quite far away from T1/2/3. There is a metro link between the two, however you will have to pay full fare and even for a single rider a taxi is pretty competitive on price when the airport supplement is included.
Resources:
Link to Madrid Barajas Airport (World Airport Guides)
Link to AENA official MAD Madrid Barajas website by airport operator AENA
Wikipedia decent article on Madrid Barajas (with listings of airline gates and terminals - BUT caveat - it fails to differentiate between Terminal 4 and Terminal 4-S!)
Schengen Agreements nations information (with maps, etc.)
Connections through Madrid Airport
Nov 17, 2016, 7:01 am
#256
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: LHR
Programs: HH D,CC,SPG,AZ: Gold;BA Silver, TK Elite
Posts: 809
Went with the transfer bus. I was very lucky that T4S and T4 immigration were totally empty, no queues, and the transfer bus was right outside and left only 2 minutes after I boarded. Granted, I was drenched in sweat when I boarded the plane.
Nov 17, 2016, 12:13 pm
#257
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 11
Nov 22, 2016, 1:53 pm
#258
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
No idea about the through ticketing. At JFK the check in people are dedicated for IB and supposedly it's no longer allowed. I'd plan for the worst. But if you really plead, they might do it for you. May help if you are at the business check-in counter, and get there early so nobody else is around.
As far as having 2 hours. That's right at the edge of what I'd say would be possible to plan for (assuming no delays on the inbound). The cutoff for checked bags for Schengen is 45 minutes and luggage can easily take an hour from arrival. That's cutting it pretty close.
As far as having 2 hours. That's right at the edge of what I'd say would be possible to plan for (assuming no delays on the inbound). The cutoff for checked bags for Schengen is 45 minutes and luggage can easily take an hour from arrival. That's cutting it pretty close.
Theres only 1 IB counter for Biz, and as you said being early she was sitting there doing nothing, we chatted alittle and I told her a needed a favor and explained why , she said no problem and said this way you can enjoy the lounge when you get to MAD as well and not worry about missing the flight with the rest of the group
^ So with the bag tagged all the way thru, it will make for an easier flight now. Too boot its the 345 last week a 332 was subbed 2 or 3 times, so row 25 with all the leg room I need.
THX for all your help!
Nov 25, 2016, 9:14 am
#259
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2
Hello Everyone,
I have a flight from London to Buenos Aires in the Jan 2017, through Madrid Barajas. So it is a from non-Schengen area to non-Schengen area. Both flight are operated by Iberia. What I have found out is that, the flight from London to Madrid will arrive at Madrid airport T4, and the flight to Buenos Aires departs from T4S.
I understand that T4 terminal is usually for Schengen flights. Not sure if anyone here know if I will need to go through full passport control, in order to get to T4S? Or would that be any other arrangement so that I could get to T4S without getting into Schengen area?
Many thanks in advance!
I have a flight from London to Buenos Aires in the Jan 2017, through Madrid Barajas. So it is a from non-Schengen area to non-Schengen area. Both flight are operated by Iberia. What I have found out is that, the flight from London to Madrid will arrive at Madrid airport T4, and the flight to Buenos Aires departs from T4S.
I understand that T4 terminal is usually for Schengen flights. Not sure if anyone here know if I will need to go through full passport control, in order to get to T4S? Or would that be any other arrangement so that I could get to T4S without getting into Schengen area?
Many thanks in advance!
Nov 26, 2016, 6:00 am
#260
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
I always start or end in MAD but IIRC, they pull the stairs up to the back and send a bus over to T4S. But if it's not an issue to enter Schengen, I would imagine it just as convenient to go yourself through the terminals.
Dec 9, 2016, 2:28 am
#261
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2
Thank you! Yes, it is an issue to enter Schengen. And I only have 1h20m transfer time. Finger cross everything will go smoothly.
Dec 9, 2016, 3:18 am
#262
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
This is way more than enough time. Schengen to Schengen on Iberia should take you 20 minutes max between gates. If you have lounge access, you should have time for a drink between flights.
Dec 26, 2016, 11:20 pm
#263
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1
Travelling to Peru from India via Madrid. Do I need an airport transit visa?
I am traveling from India to Peru via Madrid.
Air India Flight will arrive at Madrid T1 terminal
After 4 hours, I have flight (Latam airlines) from T4S
For the terminal transfer do I need to go through the immigration check? Do I need a schengen airport transit visa?
Please note that I will have my boarding pass with me. Also there is no checked bag. I will have only cabin bag with me. No check-in required.
Is there any internal transfers between the terminals? do I need to go through the immigration check?
Travelling on Dec 30. Much appreciate a prompt response. Thank you so much.
Air India Flight will arrive at Madrid T1 terminal
After 4 hours, I have flight (Latam airlines) from T4S
For the terminal transfer do I need to go through the immigration check? Do I need a schengen airport transit visa?
Please note that I will have my boarding pass with me. Also there is no checked bag. I will have only cabin bag with me. No check-in required.
Is there any internal transfers between the terminals? do I need to go through the immigration check?
Travelling on Dec 30. Much appreciate a prompt response. Thank you so much.
Dec 27, 2016, 11:55 am
#264
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
Supposedly there is an airside transfer bus that you have to get on request but I don't know of any reports of people actually using it. You should be able to use it and you have enough time but if you can get a Schengen visa, I would.
Please report back on how the airside T1 to T4S transfer works if you use it.
Please report back on how the airside T1 to T4S transfer works if you use it.
Feb 21, 2017, 7:29 pm
#266
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,145
I'm arriving from DFW on AA36 in April, so thus arriving T4S.
I then need to transfer to IB to PRG on a separate ticket.
Since the wonderful Oneworld Alliance has decided I cannot interline my luggage through, I'll have to clear customs and re-check in T4, then re-clear security.
I have the option of an IB flight with a 95 min connection, or a 7-hour layover.
I'd much rather get to PRG earlier.
Think this would be doable? I'm very familiar with MAD, from connecting through in the past. I've never cleared immigration/customs, though. Just T4S connections.
Also, I will be in J on the AA flight, which means I'll be off the plane ASAP when we land.
Thanks!
I then need to transfer to IB to PRG on a separate ticket.
Since the wonderful Oneworld Alliance has decided I cannot interline my luggage through, I'll have to clear customs and re-check in T4, then re-clear security.
I have the option of an IB flight with a 95 min connection, or a 7-hour layover.
I'd much rather get to PRG earlier.
Think this would be doable? I'm very familiar with MAD, from connecting through in the past. I've never cleared immigration/customs, though. Just T4S connections.
Also, I will be in J on the AA flight, which means I'll be off the plane ASAP when we land.
Thanks!
Feb 22, 2017, 3:58 pm
#268
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,145
Thanks! I called AA last night and got a good EXP agent who was able to add the omeway to PRG into my wife and I's PNRs so we can check the bags all the way thru and take the 95 min connection. ^
Mar 3, 2017, 11:25 pm
#269
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 176
I have an Iberia flight from JFK and then have another Iberia flight to Casablanca. The issue is that my flights are separate tickets purchased, so I don't think(as far as I know) that I will be able to get my tickets in the USA and have my bag forwarded to morocco without having to deal with immigration. Would this be possible? I'm guessing no but I'd love to try. Any tips or instructions to make this as painless as possible, it looks like I'll pretty much definitely be coming into terminal 4s and leaving from the same terminal to go to casablanca. We have US passports btw.
Thanks
Thanks
Mar 4, 2017, 7:54 am
#270
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,351
IB (along with much of OW) has recently stopped interlining baggage in an itinerary composed of separate reservations. You should try to ask the agent in JFK to check the bags all the way to Casablanca, but assume they won't do it.
Immigration itself is not a problem (short or inexistent queues, even if you are not European), but you will have to go to T4 to pick up your bag and recheck, then come back to T4S. Bags from T4S flights sometimes take a long time to come up, so this will take time.
Immigration itself is not a problem (short or inexistent queues, even if you are not European), but you will have to go to T4 to pick up your bag and recheck, then come back to T4S. Bags from T4S flights sometimes take a long time to come up, so this will take time.