Amapola_

I've tried searching for this info but haven't found anything. How (good/bad, efficient/inefficient, user-friendly/difficult) is the departure process in MAD? Our flight (DL 0127, MAD-JFK) leaves at 11:00 am on a Monday. How much time should we estimate to (a) get to the airport via taxi and (b) go through Customs, etc.?

TIA!

Amapola <--less than a week away from our long-dreamed-of trip to Spain!

Robert2533

You should allow the recommended minimum of arriving 2-1/2 to 3 hours before your scheduled departure time to get through check in, passport control to get into the terminal and the second passport control for the international terminal. MAD is a very busy airport most of the time and unless you're flying 1st class, or are a preferred customer, the check in line can be very long.

The taxi from the center of Madrid usually takes less then 20 minutes, but there is road construction going on, so you may want to allow a little more time.

Patrick

Wow. Two and a half to three hours? What about a flight on Iberia from Madrid to Rome? Just as bad, or less time if flying within Europe?

kenderina

A little less, Patrick Two hours is enough for an European flight.

Amapola_

Thanks for the info, Robert. We're flying steerage so I guess we'll leave the hotel at 7:30 am to be at the airport near 8.

Christina

I flew out of Madrid last year, and would agree that you should not cut the time short. I used almost all of the 2.5-3 hrs in advance of the flight due to extreme confusion and disorganization at Madrid airport, including the automatic flight information signs being broken, no announcments being made, and a lot of time to get through security. I've only done that once, so I don't know the norm, but this was not even during a peak tourist season. There were a lot of security/passport checks (I flew shortly after the bombings in Madrid train station and during some other problems in the aftermath, however, but I imagine that they have tried to maintain higher security).

The taxi ride from central Madrid didn't take very long, however, so that part was easy. It probably was about 20 minutes.

annabelle2

I just flew back from Madrid on Tuesday. My flight was a noon flight on Iberia (AA partner) into Chicago. I had planned to get there two hours before departure, but by the time I made my farewells to my friend's family, I got into the terminal probably 1 hour 45 minutes before departure. Iberia had about 8 check-in counters open and it looked like mass chaos. Huge lines. I stood in one while my Spanish friend checked the situation out. Found a much shorter line farther down and probably waited about ten minutes. After checking my bag, waited in a moderate security line that was moving slowly. My friend found another gate entrance farther down the terminal with virtually no line -- took just minutes to get through passport control and security check. I had to take off my belt to get through the metal detector, but otherwise not delays. I had no trouble finding my gate and had time for a quick last coffee before boarding.

So, my experience was a little different than the previous posters, but I think I just got lucky -- my initial feeling when I walked into the airport and saw Iberia's check-in system was "oh my god, I'm going to miss my plane!" I would definitly not
allow less than two hours.
Spain was fabulous and quite hot; enjoy!

NEDSIRELAND

Amapola writes: "... How (good/bad, efficient/inefficient, user-friendly/difficult) is the departure process in MAD? Our flight (DL 0127, MAD-JFK) leaves at 11:00 am on a Monday. ... "

I've never flown Delta out of Barajas airport but I fly Continental (to EWR) pretty regularly. I would say no less than 3-hours (i.e., be at the airport by 08:00)! If you get an early check-in you can kill some time shopping at the duty free shops.

The check-in is most time-consuming. It depends on how many check-in desks Delta has open, how many flights they are 'working' (there's one to Atlanta)

Barajas is NOT traveler-friendly! Last summer I made a connection there for Santiago de Compostela: There were no trolleys, golf carts or other powered vehicles to take me from International Arrivals to Terminal #3 (A hike!). And I am 'mobility challenged.'

cruiseluv

I just want to add to the chorus that says that chances are you'll be happy that you allowed at least 2 hrs and to be safe 3 to check in at Barajas. Like Nedseriland says , Barajas is not "Traveler friendly"!

One year, in addition to the regular chaos, my husband was pulled out for a thorough baggage inspection. He had to go to another very long line for that . Once it was his turn they made him empty his suitcase and then repack it. We were lucky they didn't select me as I had a much bigger suitcase than he!

I'll be going to Spain next month and the airport experience is the one area I'm not looking forward to. I'm also going to run into problems with Iberia's stingy bagagge allowance for their internal flights.

Amapola_

Thanks, everyone! It's good to know the worst that one can expect, so that if the experience isn't quite as bad it seems like a gift ;-).

Amapola
4 days and counting!

NEDSIRELAND

Cruiseluv writes: "I'm also going to run into problems with Iberia's stingy bagagge allowance for their internal flights."

Not if you fly Iberia TransAtlantic! We did that once in order to qualify for Iberia's "Visit Spain" Pass and our baggage allowance was the same as for the TransAtlantic flight.

cruiseluv

Nedsireland,

Unfortunately I'm coming from Copenhagen so I'm stuck!

Amapola_

Just a quick update on my experience, since I asked... We got to the airport in under 1/2 hour, arriving just before 8:00 am. Delta had only 2 counters open, but we were about 3rd in line and were processed very quickly. The line for the main security checkpoint was miles long, but we were sent to wait for the one near the Delta counter (at the far right of the terminal) to open, which it did right after 8:00, and were through in no time. So we had plenty of time to browse all the shops in the departure area and spend a few leftover euros . Thanks again to everyone!