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
Aug 5, 2018, 11:16 am
#436
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 129
Flying from EWR to Madrid in United and connecting to Ibiza with Ryanair. All seems to be within terminal 1 so I’ll have to go through immigration, claim my checked bag, re-check it at the ryanair desk and then re-enter the secure area through security in order to get to my ryanair flight, correct?
I do not think I can access a lounge after my United flight in Poliaris Business but is the Priority Pass lounge in T1 accessible prior to my Ibiza flight with my PP membership?
I do not think I can access a lounge after my United flight in Poliaris Business but is the Priority Pass lounge in T1 accessible prior to my Ibiza flight with my PP membership?
Aug 5, 2018, 1:58 pm
#437
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
Flying from EWR to Madrid in United and connecting to Ibiza with Ryanair. All seems to be within terminal 1 so I’ll have to go through immigration, claim my checked bag, re-check it at the ryanair desk and then re-enter the secure area through security in order to get to my ryanair flight, correct?
I do not think I can access a lounge after my United flight in Poliaris Business but is the Priority Pass lounge in T1 accessible prior to my Ibiza flight with my PP membership?
I do not think I can access a lounge after my United flight in Poliaris Business but is the Priority Pass lounge in T1 accessible prior to my Ibiza flight with my PP membership?
Aug 6, 2018, 4:48 am
#438
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
The lines shouldn't be too bad at this point. Use the business class check in desks to get your passport check and then fast track security. Passport control has improved significantly with the automatic passport kiosks for EU citizens freeing up lots of resources.
Personally I'd say 90mins is more than enough time to be able to sit down and enjoy a couple drinks in the lounge before heading to the gate.
Though remember there can be a line to get through the US security check at the end of T4S, even in priority, so don't forget about that.
Personally I'd say 90mins is more than enough time to be able to sit down and enjoy a couple drinks in the lounge before heading to the gate.
Though remember there can be a line to get through the US security check at the end of T4S, even in priority, so don't forget about that.
Aug 6, 2018, 8:42 am
#439
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,949
If you get there by 11AM with online check-in completed - you should be good to go. Plan on having it take you about 40 mins from the time you enter the terminal to the time you're in the lounge.
Aug 7, 2018, 6:37 am
#440
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 79
Thanks to those above who answered my question on flying from MAD with no luggage. Wound up getting there at 10:30 for the 12:20 flight, as online check in wouldn't work (I was selected for additional screening at the gate). Had boarding pass in hand just before 11am (I wound up in the premium economy check in line, better than regular but probably missed a business desk somewhere), and yes, getting to T4S plus the added U.S. security check came to just under 40 minutes. Got to the gate right before boarding started...just in time to get my extra bag check - but my wife got to get settled in on time 
Appreciate the knowledge shared!
Appreciate the knowledge shared!
Aug 13, 2018, 11:02 pm
#442
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
Aug 14, 2018, 3:48 am
#443
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
In short, no. Are you on one ticket or two? How much time do you have between flights? Is this a real connection or are you self-connecting?
Aug 14, 2018, 8:43 am
#445
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I'm sure assistance is offered but I can't help you with that. You still have not told us how much time you have between flights, but I'm guessing you'll need more than what you have.
Aug 14, 2018, 11:17 am
#448
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
Okay, so T3 and T2 are basically the same. T3 is really just an extension of a pier at the north end of T2, it has no check in facilities of its own. When transferring, you'll have to find the bus stop for the transfer bus between the terminals. Madrid is a very accessible airport, so you shouldn't have issues with a chair, but obviously plan for a bit more time.
As mentioned, if on time, you're probably good on the inbound if everything is on time. It would be VERY tight without mobility issues or checked luggage on the outbound. In your case, it's just not enough.
As mentioned, if on time, you're probably good on the inbound if everything is on time. It would be VERY tight without mobility issues or checked luggage on the outbound. In your case, it's just not enough.
Aug 19, 2018, 3:32 pm
#449
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 47
My brother will be flying through Madrid next week, connecting T4S to T4 (non-schengen to non-schengen) all on one ticket (LY to AA). He's never flown alone before, so I wanted to try and walk him through the flight connection process. But I've never been to MAD
I understand there's a people mover between T4S and T4. Does he clear security in T4S or only in T4? (And is the flight connection route clearly signposted?)
Thanks!
I understand there's a people mover between T4S and T4. Does he clear security in T4S or only in T4? (And is the flight connection route clearly signposted?)
Thanks!
Aug 20, 2018, 6:40 am
#450
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
AA is in T4S exclusively. The only non-Schengen flights in T4 are to the UK and Ireland and even then there are boarding gates in T4S to avoid having to clear passport control.
He will do security in T4S and walk directly to the south end of the terminal (toward the green pillars). AA departs from gates S1-12 I believe.
He will do security in T4S and walk directly to the south end of the terminal (toward the green pillars). AA departs from gates S1-12 I believe.