FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Guide: Madrid-Barajas Intl. Airport (MAD) - Arrival, Depart, Connect, etc.
Old Sep 20, 2025 | 11:01 am
  #200  
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Originally Posted by mctrees02
I'm considering booking LHR-MAD-DFW (rather than LHR-DFW) in December as I can clear a SWU now on the MAD-DFW leg. I've never connected through the EU before so a few basic questions:

1. As it's a single itinerary booking, will I have to collect and recheck a bag in MAD? LHR-MAD will be on BA, MAD-DFW on AA, both flights look to operate out of T4S.
2. I'm assuming I will have to go through passport control. Will I have to go back through security again too?
3. About how long should I allow for the connection process? There are 2 flights I can choose from LHR. One with a 2:55 connection and the other with 1:40.
Your bag will be checked through to DFW, you won't have to claim it in MAD. Since your connection is to another non-Schengen destination you will not have to clear any passport control at MAD, but you will have to re-clear transit security at T4s (AFAIK all connections from non-Schengen have to re-clear security, but it's been a few years since I connected in MAD).

Both 1:40 and 2:55 will be plenty of time assuming you're on-time, so really depends on how much buffer or lounge time you want.
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