Heads up re: Spain (MAD, BCN etc.) - Long passport / security queues Jun 2017 onward
Jul 6, 2017, 3:33 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,743
Jul 6, 2017, 3:53 pm
#32
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Jul 7, 2017, 3:20 am
#34
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Valencia, Spain
Posts: 806
At Madrid T4S departures there are separate lanes for EU and non-EU citizens. This morning at abut 10am, it took about two minutes to get through the EU passport control. The lines for non-EU citizens were longer but not exceptional; I would guess they would be taking about ten minutes. For EU citizens, the agents were only doing visual checks of passports, not scanning into the computers. Whereas leaving BCN in May, they were scanning and entering passport info into the computers for everybody - and it took almost an hour!
IB had sent me a text yesterday warning of extra delays at passport control so I got here about three hours prior to BOS flight; could have stayed in bed longer!
Note also that half the lounge in T4S is closed for renovations so it is packed. There is a sign by the entry (turned to the wall at the moment) saying the lounge is full, so I guess there are times when they have to limit entry.
IB had sent me a text yesterday warning of extra delays at passport control so I got here about three hours prior to BOS flight; could have stayed in bed longer!
Note also that half the lounge in T4S is closed for renovations so it is packed. There is a sign by the entry (turned to the wall at the moment) saying the lounge is full, so I guess there are times when they have to limit entry.
Jul 7, 2017, 8:56 am
#36
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,649
1 hour to connect at Madrid enough time?
I have award flights on IB coming up Nov. 6 VCE-MAD-ORD with 1 hour to connect in Madrid. Looking at this chaos and reading the reports here there is no way we would make the connection to the TATL flight.
Is IB reacting to this mess by changing the times of their outbound TATL flights to accommodate the connecting pax? What happens if we miss the MAD-ORD flight due to slow passport control? There is only one IB flight to ORD a day.
Is IB reacting to this mess by changing the times of their outbound TATL flights to accommodate the connecting pax? What happens if we miss the MAD-ORD flight due to slow passport control? There is only one IB flight to ORD a day.
Jul 7, 2017, 11:42 am
#37
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Murcia, Spain
Programs: AADVANTAGE, Iberia Plus, BA Exec Blue, Hertz #1Gold, HHonors Gold, AS, Paradores Amigos
Posts: 505
We're not travelling through MAD until next April so hoping these issues, including the lounge refurbishment, are sorted out before then!
We have always praised MAD as we have been used to clearing controls in both directions in a matter of seconds! Pre-Brexit, we still have EU (British!) passports and are Spanish residents.
We have always praised MAD as we have been used to clearing controls in both directions in a matter of seconds! Pre-Brexit, we still have EU (British!) passports and are Spanish residents.
Jul 7, 2017, 12:35 pm
#38
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Pictures from 7/4:
Just after getting off the escalator
In line
Just after getting off the escalator
In line
Jul 7, 2017, 2:02 pm
#41
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Jul 7, 2017, 2:08 pm
#42
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,649
Someone is already trolling for business helping people claim compensation for delayed flights from madrid:
https://www.claimflights.co.uk/airpo...arajas-airport
Would this apply to Americans or only EU citizens?
https://www.claimflights.co.uk/airpo...arajas-airport
Would this apply to Americans or only EU citizens?
Jul 7, 2017, 2:21 pm
#43
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: CX Diamond, AA CK (quit 2018), Starwood Platinum, National EXC Elite
Posts: 283
Jul 10, 2017, 12:01 am
#44
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,106
Just transited MAD this morning, and happy to report that at 7:35am on Monday morning there was absolutely no one in line at Terminal 4S passport control. Walked straight up to an agent. It could be that it was still early, but wanted to offer this data point.
Jul 10, 2017, 4:24 am
#45
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA Gold, 1MM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold, EI Concierge
Posts: 307
This is the new normal
This is the likely cause....new regulations as the OP mentions.
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/pr...ernal-borders/
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/pr...ernal-borders/