Madrid Connection Between Barajas T4S and T4
 

Hello...

We have a connection between and American Airlines flight from Philadelphia (arriving T4S) and an Iberian flight (departing T4) to Nice.Our connection is 2:05. The ticket is booked through...i.e., even the Iberian flight is code-shared as an American Airlines flight.

My questions:

Assuming we arrive on time, is that a reasonable connection time. (I understand that they will put us on the next flight, since it is a booked-through ticket...but I'd like to have Fodorite opinions.) Note that we are sitting only two rows from the arriving plane's exit, so we should get off the plane pretty quickly.

Am I correct that we will have to exit security (leaving air-side) and go through immigration control before getting on the automatic train that takes us to T4?

Does that mean we have to go through security again to enter the air-side in T4? (I assume we won't have to go through an immigration control once we enter the Schengen zone on our way to France...but I may be wrong.)

Thanks.
ssander

Since Madrid is your point of entry into the EU, you will have to go through passport control, your luggage will be transferred. The walk from the arrivals gate, which should be the last one, furthest from passport control, is good exercise after your flight from Philly, but you should be through passport control in around 20 minutes, give or take a few minutes, depending on how many other flights are arriving at the same time and how many agents are working when you finally reach passport control.

Once in the Schengen zone you no longer go through passport control, but will have to go through security before boarding any flight.

The train (people mover) is on the other side of passport control. I would allow enought time to get through security and out to your departure gate.

Unless you are flying 1st or business class, you will have to join the crowd going through the regular security screening, and the lines can be long depending on the time of day. TSA Precheck doesn't work in Spain.

Thanks...I just realized that I had asked this question awhile back, so I now have two threads!...my brain is getting old.

ssander