Madrid Airport layover
 

I have a 3 hour layover in Madrid airport. My children are staying with some friends there for a couple of days. Does anyone know if I can go with then to baggage claim and return back to my international flight within a 3 hour time frame? I won't have any luggage just me but I would have to leave the gate area and come back through security....any thoughts or advice?

Sure, why not? You'll have to clear Spanish/Schengen passport control and through passport control and security coming back through, but it shouldn't be any issue at all.

Thank you Gardyloo! I appreciate your knowledge...do you think that will be enough time to clear both of those stops?

Yes, it ought to be fine; I assume you're arriving and departing on the same airline or at least an airline using the same terminal (e.g. Iberia and Iberia or Iberia and American etc.) What's your itinerary?

Yes I will be arriving terminal 4 on Iberia and departing terminal 4 on American. I will be coming to Spain from Venice so I will have to clear customs I'm assuming and then go back through security for my connecting flight...do you think 3 hours is enough time?

I really appreciate the help.

You'll be arriving at Terminal 4 at Madrid, which is used for arrivals/departures to/from Schengen countries (common European passport/customs zone). After you've bid farewell to the kids, you'll go back through security and passport control, then go to Terminal 4<b>S</b>, the T4 satellite (reached by automatic train) from which the AA flight will depart.

Assuming the flight from Venice is on time, you should be through customs and out on the street with kids in ~30-45 min. after deplaning. Coming back in for your AA flight, the whole process shouldn't take more than an hour (assuming you already have your AA boarding pass) but probably more like 30-45 min. depending on the lines for security. Note T4S is enormous and it's easy to have a long hike from security to your gate, so I wouldn't play beat the clock. Still, I'd think you have plenty of time.

Thank you Gardyloo! So much help and greatly appreciated!!!