Connecting flight in Madrid - will I make it?
Apr 29th, 2012, 07:17 AM
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Connecting flight in Madrid - will I make it?
I have an American flight from the US to Madrid (arriving 9:10 am), then connecting to an Iberia flight to Rome (departing 11:50 am). There are some terrible (but old) reviews of this airport, and now I'm nervous that I won't make my connection. Has anybody had a similar itinerary? What were your experiences getting through Customs, Security, etc.? Will I have to change terminals?
Apr 29th, 2012, 09:06 AM
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This video may give you some help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M4ljvg2bKg
It describes plane changes in Madrid. The flight we were to take had a 70 minute window, but it was cancelled so we went a different. Several people on here have commented that flight connections are fairly good in Madrid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M4ljvg2bKg
It describes plane changes in Madrid. The flight we were to take had a 70 minute window, but it was cancelled so we went a different. Several people on here have commented that flight connections are fairly good in Madrid
Apr 29th, 2012, 10:51 AM
#4
You will arrive at the Terminal 4 Satellite (T4S) and go through passport control, since Spain and Italy are both "Schengen" countries which honor each others' immigration controls.
Then you'll ride an automatic train to Terminal 4, where your Rome flight will depart. At T4 you'll go through a security check, then you'll be released into the main departure area. Note T4 is very big, so find your gate (if it's listed already - sometimes it's not until a little closer to flight time) and make your way there. Allow plenty of time.
One note - you can speed things up a little by riding the elevators between the train level and the arrivals/departure levels at the two terminals. The escalators take a long time, while the lifts are very quick.
Note you will claim your luggage and go through <i>customs</i> in Rome, not Madrid.
You have ample time in my experience - Barajas is a big but IMO very well laid out airport, and quite a nice one at that.
Then you'll ride an automatic train to Terminal 4, where your Rome flight will depart. At T4 you'll go through a security check, then you'll be released into the main departure area. Note T4 is very big, so find your gate (if it's listed already - sometimes it's not until a little closer to flight time) and make your way there. Allow plenty of time.
One note - you can speed things up a little by riding the elevators between the train level and the arrivals/departure levels at the two terminals. The escalators take a long time, while the lifts are very quick.
Note you will claim your luggage and go through <i>customs</i> in Rome, not Madrid.
You have ample time in my experience - Barajas is a big but IMO very well laid out airport, and quite a nice one at that.
Apr 29th, 2012, 10:51 AM
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The AA flights to Madrid generally have a terrible on time record. We, or our traveling companions, arriving on different flights, have missed connections on all three of our last connections through Madrid.
That said, AA is replacing the 767's on some of its Madrid flights with 777's in June, and could have a better on time record. We are counting on that ourselves to make a three hour connection in June.
But, on the itinerary you are taking, it will be possible to make the connection in as little as 20 minutes. The AA flight will arrive at a gate in Terminal 4S. Last time I was in that terminal, that is where the flights to Rome also departed from. You will be able to get off the plane and take the moving walkways to the center of the terminal. If your flight leaves from 4S, when you get off the walkway, go through the document check on your left, and you will be able to return to departure level very easily.
If it turns out that you must go to Terminal 4, you will need about 40 minutes to make your flight. You proceed to passport control, and if you do not have an EU passport will be in a much shorter line, (if it is crowded, they open up additional posts to the left, watch the booths in that direction) get a quick passport stamp after they check you continuing boarding passes and then take the elevators to the shuttle train. Even with waiting for the elevators, they are much faster than the multiple flights of escalators. At terminal 4, take the elevator again up to security, and then you will go into the huge departure area.
If you flight is late, AA representatives will give you passes entitling you to priority at security.
I know this appears complex, but, trust me, it is a far better connection experience than I ever had at LHR or CDG.
That said, AA is replacing the 767's on some of its Madrid flights with 777's in June, and could have a better on time record. We are counting on that ourselves to make a three hour connection in June.
But, on the itinerary you are taking, it will be possible to make the connection in as little as 20 minutes. The AA flight will arrive at a gate in Terminal 4S. Last time I was in that terminal, that is where the flights to Rome also departed from. You will be able to get off the plane and take the moving walkways to the center of the terminal. If your flight leaves from 4S, when you get off the walkway, go through the document check on your left, and you will be able to return to departure level very easily.
If it turns out that you must go to Terminal 4, you will need about 40 minutes to make your flight. You proceed to passport control, and if you do not have an EU passport will be in a much shorter line, (if it is crowded, they open up additional posts to the left, watch the booths in that direction) get a quick passport stamp after they check you continuing boarding passes and then take the elevators to the shuttle train. Even with waiting for the elevators, they are much faster than the multiple flights of escalators. At terminal 4, take the elevator again up to security, and then you will go into the huge departure area.
If you flight is late, AA representatives will give you passes entitling you to priority at security.
I know this appears complex, but, trust me, it is a far better connection experience than I ever had at LHR or CDG.
Apr 29th, 2012, 12:59 PM
#6
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You guys are just the best! So much good and detailed information. Sal9000, the video was very helpful! As soon as I figure out how to find the on-time arrival rates for this flight, I'll check on that. Thanks for the suggestion, Suze. GardyLou and Jeff, I'll print & take your directions with me. Thank you so much!!
Apr 30th, 2012, 05:22 AM
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Carolyn,
http://www.flightstats.com/go/Home/home.do
Enter Airline abbreviation and flight number and search. On the next page is a tab for on time performance.
http://www.flightstats.com/go/Home/home.do
Enter Airline abbreviation and flight number and search. On the next page is a tab for on time performance.
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