Heard that the Madrid airport is not a friendly place to be and long lines everywhere. We are flying into Madrid from Granada (May 6) to transfer to British Airways to get back to London for a long weekend before heading back to SFO. We will be checking luggage. We have a 2 hour layover at Madrid airport. With what I've read, I hope this is enough time. Any help on airport layout so we know where to go from Iberia to British.

We just flew on Iberia from Barcelona to Madrid, overnighted and then flew out from Madrid home to the states - lines were not bad (we did arrive late evening and left early morning); security was smooth - just watch your belongings like a hawk.

Here's the website for Madrid Barajas Airport. There is a map on the page, but just scanning the page I didn't see anything about which airlines are in which terminals. In any case, hope it helps you.

http://www.worldairportguide.com/airports/mad/mad.asp

IMO Barajas airport is the most infuriating airport I've ever experienced. I speak spanish and sometimes not even that helps. Since you're flying domestic from Granada and to London you'll probably have to walk quite a bit or take one of the buses from the tarmac.
You should check your bags through from Granada to London, although since you're traveling Iberia( I assume) who knows if they'll want to do that for you.

Sorry to sound negative but it's better to be mentally prepared

In light of these comments on Madrid airport, I am hoping someone else can help me with a related question.

I would be arriving at Madrid airport from the US at 5:30am. How many hours would you allow to catch an internal (Spain) flight, via a different airline? Sounds as if it can take an hour+ to get through immigration/customs? My instinct is to leave 3+hours in case of delays, and have a leisurely breakfast at the airport?

shar: most important you will need to know which terminals you arrive and leave from. there are moving sidewalks and internal tarmac buses between the long stretch.. it can be walked, but if you have a lot of hand luggage, try to get a cart. there ARE lifts instead of escalators, but sometimes they are a little hidden off to left or right behind a wall.

depending on your ticketing, you may be able to send luggage all the way through, if your entire trip is on same ticket. otherwise, you will have to RE-CHECK luggage and check-in like a newly arrived passenger, upstairs in departures.

at least madrid airport is just a long long spread out curve.. so you just need to be on correct floor.. and you will eventually get to your gate/desk. main problem is there aren't enough SIGNS depending on where/when you first get into the place, and if you don't previously know the terminal number.. anxiety can set in as the informationlines are always long!

cruisinred:
if your connecting ticket is not part of original itinerary, and second flight is on another independent or low cost airline.. best to leave quite a bit of time as you will not be compensated nor put on another flight free of charge if they make you arrive late from original one.

all going well. three hours should be fine..

I agree with Lincasanova. At least allow 3 hrs.

Thanks for the heads up on Madrid airport. I found out that IBO is in Terminal #1 and BA is in Terminal #2 and they are code sharing airline so in fact my BA flight is really opearated by IBO so I should be able to check luggage thru to London. I appreciate all the help. Hopefully all the luggage will arrive in London for our weekend there before heading home and if it doesn't, Oh well, guess we'll just have to buy new ones can't let that bother me after a nice vacation. Thanks again all.....