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 25, 2018, 10:34 pm
#451
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Silver, AA Plat, DL Silver, SW A-List, Emerald Club Exec
Posts: 132
IBZ-MAD-LHR-RDU -- Which terminal and security/customs?
Hi All,
I want to book flight home to the USA by going from IBZ to MAD on Air Nostrum, and then to LHR via BA, before overnighting in London and getting a direct flight to RDU on AA. The whole itinerary is on the same PNR booked via AA with miles.
I'm not concerned about my flight to the USA since I'll be overnighting in London, but had a few questions regarding my connection in MAD just to make sure I'm understanding everything correctly, since there seems to be a difference between the terminal flights on IB leave to go to LHR versus those that are via BA. Basically, I'm just trying to determine whether I'll be in the same terminal, or if not, whether I'll need to go through some additional steps...
Here are my flights:
IB (Operated by Air Nostrum) 8911 IBZ-MAD - Arrives 03:25 PM
BA 461 MAD-LHR - Departs 06:15 PM
My questions are as follows:
I want to book flight home to the USA by going from IBZ to MAD on Air Nostrum, and then to LHR via BA, before overnighting in London and getting a direct flight to RDU on AA. The whole itinerary is on the same PNR booked via AA with miles.
I'm not concerned about my flight to the USA since I'll be overnighting in London, but had a few questions regarding my connection in MAD just to make sure I'm understanding everything correctly, since there seems to be a difference between the terminal flights on IB leave to go to LHR versus those that are via BA. Basically, I'm just trying to determine whether I'll be in the same terminal, or if not, whether I'll need to go through some additional steps...
Here are my flights:
IB (Operated by Air Nostrum) 8911 IBZ-MAD - Arrives 03:25 PM
BA 461 MAD-LHR - Departs 06:15 PM
My questions are as follows:
- I arrive at T4 on Air Nostrum and have to transfer T4S for the BA flight to Madrid, correct (since my BA flight to London is not a codeshare operated by IB)? Or will I arrive as well as leave from T4?
- Since the UK is non-Schengen and I'm flying on BA metal despite being on the same PNR, do I need to go through security again in MAD, as well as customs? Or do I simply need to go through security upon arrival in MAD and then on to my gate?
- Is 2 hrs and 50 minutes reasonable for a connection from IB (domestic) to BA (international) all on the same PNR?
Aug 26, 2018, 3:49 am
#452
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,907
Hi Pizzaman87,
After arriving at MAD and leaving the aircraft you will be in the T4 departure area ( no need for further security checks/customs checks as you have arrived from a spanish airport)
Follow signs to T4S ( I think it is the RST gates) and get on the train to the T4S.
There will be a passport check after leaving the train before entering the T4S departure area.
If you have status the Iberia lounge ( entrance is through the duty free shop is very good.
2hrs 50mins is plenty of time for the connection.
There will of course be a passport check and customs upon arrival at LHR ( as you are arriving from a EU member state you can use the blue exit channel from customs unless you have good to declare)
Regards
TBS
After arriving at MAD and leaving the aircraft you will be in the T4 departure area ( no need for further security checks/customs checks as you have arrived from a spanish airport)
Follow signs to T4S ( I think it is the RST gates) and get on the train to the T4S.
There will be a passport check after leaving the train before entering the T4S departure area.
If you have status the Iberia lounge ( entrance is through the duty free shop is very good.
2hrs 50mins is plenty of time for the connection.
There will of course be a passport check and customs upon arrival at LHR ( as you are arriving from a EU member state you can use the blue exit channel from customs unless you have good to declare)
Regards
TBS
Aug 26, 2018, 1:46 pm
#453
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Silver, AA Plat, DL Silver, SW A-List, Emerald Club Exec
Posts: 132
Hi Pizzaman87,
After arriving at MAD and leaving the aircraft you will be in the T4 departure area ( no need for further security checks/customs checks as you have arrived from a spanish airport)
Follow signs to T4S ( I think it is the RST gates) and get on the train to the T4S.
There will be a passport check after leaving the train before entering the T4S departure area.
If you have status the Iberia lounge ( entrance is through the duty free shop is very good.
2hrs 50mins is plenty of time for the connection.
There will of course be a passport check and customs upon arrival at LHR ( as you are arriving from a EU member state you can use the blue exit channel from customs unless you have good to declare)
Regards
TBS
After arriving at MAD and leaving the aircraft you will be in the T4 departure area ( no need for further security checks/customs checks as you have arrived from a spanish airport)
Follow signs to T4S ( I think it is the RST gates) and get on the train to the T4S.
There will be a passport check after leaving the train before entering the T4S departure area.
If you have status the Iberia lounge ( entrance is through the duty free shop is very good.
2hrs 50mins is plenty of time for the connection.
There will of course be a passport check and customs upon arrival at LHR ( as you are arriving from a EU member state you can use the blue exit channel from customs unless you have good to declare)
Regards
TBS
Sep 3, 2018, 9:41 pm
#454
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NY
Programs: HHonors Gold, SPG/Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, AAdvantage Plat Pro
Posts: 87
Best way to get duty free liquor on JFK-MAD-LHR itin?
Hi, I’m flying JFK to London later this week, with a 2 hour-ish connection in MAD. I arrive in MAD at T4 and depart from T4S. Two questions. First if I purchase duty free liquor at JFK (1 bottle), will it be confiscated when I clear security at MAD for my departing flight? Second, is MAD to LHR considered international for duty free purposes, or is it considered domestic for duty free purposes? I would ideally purchase duty free airside from JFK, but not if it will be confiscated at MAD / not if MAD to LHR route allows me to purchase duty free liquor in MAD. Thanks!
Sep 3, 2018, 9:47 pm
#455
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NY
Programs: HHonors Gold, SPG/Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, AAdvantage Plat Pro
Posts: 87
Best way to get duty free liquor on JFK-MAD-LHR itin?
Also, if anyone knows of any resources on the Internet regarding the above question, it would be much appreciated.
Last edited by DarkLord925; Sep 3, 2018 at 9:49 pm Reason: Accidental double post.
Sep 4, 2018, 5:39 am
#456
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
Arriving from JFK would be an arrival into T4S so you'd be staying in T4S.
I believe you are allowed liquids in a sealed, duty free bag but I'm not entirely sure. As far as buying in MAD, MAD-LHR is subject to tax as UK is still in the EU for now.
I believe you are allowed liquids in a sealed, duty free bag but I'm not entirely sure. As far as buying in MAD, MAD-LHR is subject to tax as UK is still in the EU for now.
Sep 4, 2018, 8:24 am
#457
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,954
They will seal your bottle in a clear tamper-evident bag at JFK. You can carry that bottle through security at MAD, but you may need to lay it separately for them to check the contents.
Technically, the UK is in the EU customs union for now, which is what matters in this case 
Sep 4, 2018, 9:02 am
#458
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,623
Iberia - Liquids in your carry-on baggage
Can we still shop liquids at the airports or/and on-board?
Passengers can purchase additional amounts of liquid in the airport shops located after the security check-point and on board.
Liquids purchased in these shops must be packaged in closed bags with a special seal which can be checked for signs of tampering. These bags must also contain a till receipt and may not be opened until the final destination.
For their own sake, passengers in transit or transferring to another flight in other airports are advised to take this kind of limitation into account.
Passengers can purchase additional amounts of liquid in the airport shops located after the security check-point and on board.
Liquids purchased in these shops must be packaged in closed bags with a special seal which can be checked for signs of tampering. These bags must also contain a till receipt and may not be opened until the final destination.
For their own sake, passengers in transit or transferring to another flight in other airports are advised to take this kind of limitation into account.
Sep 8, 2018, 11:16 am
#459
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SNA; LAX; KUL
Posts: 433
Just a data point in case someone needs it...
Arrived from LAX at MAD with a connection to BCN, separate tickets on Iberia.
Landed at 3.00pm, cleared immigration at 317pm (non EU passport), retrieved check luggage at 350pm, recheck luggage to BCN at T4 terminal at 405pm and finally cleared security at 410pm.
All in from touch down to reclearing security took 70 mins.
Arrived from LAX at MAD with a connection to BCN, separate tickets on Iberia.
Landed at 3.00pm, cleared immigration at 317pm (non EU passport), retrieved check luggage at 350pm, recheck luggage to BCN at T4 terminal at 405pm and finally cleared security at 410pm.
All in from touch down to reclearing security took 70 mins.
Sep 9, 2018, 11:57 pm
#460
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: M&S, Radisson
Posts: 758
I'm landing at 6 pm on a Schengen flight in T4 with hand-baggage only. I have another flight at 8:15 pm (IB8996), again from T4, again flying with HBO.
Question: Do you think in the meantime, it would be possible to get to the Crowne Plaza MAD, check in, drop some stuff in the room, and return at T4 in time for the onward flight? I have flown through MAD but am not particularly familiar with the airport. I do have OW Sapphire so I might be able to use priority lines.
Question: Do you think in the meantime, it would be possible to get to the Crowne Plaza MAD, check in, drop some stuff in the room, and return at T4 in time for the onward flight? I have flown through MAD but am not particularly familiar with the airport. I do have OW Sapphire so I might be able to use priority lines.
Sep 10, 2018, 1:31 am
#461
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
If everything is perfectly on time, I'd say it's probably doable but tight. If there is a line for taxis (which there often is at that time) you can easily lose 15-20 minutes there.
I guess I don't really get why you'd need a room at MAD if you're flying HBO and then immediately leaving.
I guess I don't really get why you'd need a room at MAD if you're flying HBO and then immediately leaving.
Sep 19, 2018, 5:03 am
#464
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: BAEC Silver, Avis Preferred, Hilton Gold
Posts: 521
If I fly IB 3717 LGW-MAD, will this arrive T4S or T4, and will it be possible to access one of the lounges in T4S non-schengen area on arrival if I hold an onward boarding pass for a flight from T4?
Sep 19, 2018, 9:00 am
#465
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
You will arrive into the non-Schengen end of T4 and while there is a shuttle to T4S, I believe you need a boarding pass to get on it. Though you can always see if you can get on anyway, but that's a significant amount of going out of your way for a lounge.