how much layover time needed?
 

Hi, I tried to post this earlier and the title didn't seem to convey what I was trying to ask. I'm trying again. I have a flight from JFK in NYC to Rome, but there is a layover in MAD, Madrid, that requires a terminal change. Is 1 hour 45 minutes enough time? Will I have to go through security, customs, imigration in Spain? This is my first time to Europe!!!!

The layover time should be fine provided everything is on time. You go through immigrations and security in Madrid and customs only in Rome. Customs is a wave and walk through.

This is not a layover - it is a change of planes. You will have to exit the plan and go through Immigration in Madrid - since the flight from Madrid to Rome is within Schengen and will not have Immigration.

If your plane lands on time, you leave quickly and move briskly to and through Immigration you should have the time to get through security and to the next flight. But- as long as this is all one ticket - even if you miss the plane it's the airline's problem to get you to your desitnation.

Don't mean to alarm you but I had a similar connection in Madrid last May and it was rushed. I'm sorry I don't recall the terminal but the flight was Iberia from Chicago to Munich via Madrid. There was a long walk between terminals and on my travel day, very long line to clear immigration. Good luck.

I would echo esm's concerns. Barajas (MAD) is a huge, sprawling airport. Since you're going from non-Schengen to Schengen I doubt your gates are all that close. Hopefully, you're not on easyjet (or a similar low-cost Euro-airline) as many of them leave from the old Terminal area... that's a hike I've done many times as I lived in Madrid for 3+ years (Actually lived about 3 miles from the MAD Airport!). But if your first plane is on time you should make that connection. Good Luck!