NW.BTR.Than.The.Rest

Now, I will start by saying that I absolutely hate transiting through LHR under the best of circumstances - originating or terminating there is ok. The recent highly publicized issues at LHR (cancelled flights, extreme luggage delays....) prompted me to change two AA business class tickets I had scheduled for the summer to other carriers. This actually led to shorter travel time in both instances and in one a single connection within the US. I had sucked up the LHR transit initially to help with LP as I am so close to EXP for 2023. I think I'll still make it, but it was assured had I used these original flights.

Does anyone know why AA does not utilize the MADrid hub for Iberia more often as a connecting point? It is such a modern airport and in my experience so easy to use. If you are on ONEWORLD, you never have the hassle of taking lengthy bus rides between terminals, i.e., T4S and T4. I mean Iberia and BA are both owned by IAG, I've never understood the lack of use of MAD as a connecting point.

apeortdz

I actually like transiting through LHR. I like the arrivals lounge. Get a nice shower, a quick meal, and transfer to the final destination.

NDFan

I agree that MAD is an easy airport. There's nothing to stop you connecting at MAD instead of LHR, provided that IB has a flight to your ultimate destination.
The reason that LHR is used more for connections, and more feed by AA, is that BA has connecting flights to far more destinations than IB does from MAD.

Aliquot

And US-LHR flights are more desirable to run because there is more local trqffic.

Aliquot

Yes, LHR is good for connecting if you can avoid the bus. It can't beat AMS though. Among other reasons, no second trip through security is nice.

econ

Originating there isn't much fun lately either. Check-in area at T5 was a mess when I was there a few weeks ago. Even a 20 min wait at First Wing check-in.

Aliquot

Terminating there is even worse.Long lines to clear border control.

IADCAflyer

Ive done Madrid a couple of times and it is pretty damned easy - certainly a cake walk compared to LHR. Will be doing both MAD and LGW this coming summer - totally bypassing LHR.

NW.BTR.Than.The.Rest

A problem I have noticed is that even though there would be a connecting flight in MAD with plenty of time between the arrival from the US, AA.COM often does not display the US-MAD-EUROPE as an option.

hdp323

MAD is awful if you have to transfer T1 to T4 to catch an IB flight. HEL, on the oher hand, is easy, but only good fo certain northern European destination cities.

UKtravelbear

Don't conflate the entire airport with the couple of airlines that are having issues.

Virgin weren't having the issues that BA were having for example and nor were DL or UA or KL or AF or QR ...

The T5-T3 bus is hardly a long journey in the scheme of things and is much quicker that the airside alternative.

dls25

Why would you need to go from T1 to T4? All Oneworld ops are in T4.

ORDflyer92

BA's product is also much better than IB. If you're flying AA on the long flight and then connecting to Europe it doesn't really matter but if you're connecting further or your first flight is on BA/IB metal, you'll notice the difference.

hdp323

My bad. It's been a while since I flew through MAD. When did AA move to T4? I'm glad to har that, because I have an upcoming flight connection through MAD next month from IB to AA.

IADCAflyer

Search on Google flights. AA.com sux at finding connections...