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Is 1:25 Hours Enough Layover Time At MAD Barajas?
We have a 1:25 hour layover connection at Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) and concerned about this tight connection time.
We’d have to clear customs and get to our gate.
If the worst case scenario happens and we miss our second flight—then will I have to pay (points or cash) for a new flight home to JFK?
Or will Iberia re-book us on a new flight free of charge if we miss the connection due to long airport lines?
All tickets were booked with points on the same itinerary (1 confirmation number for all 4 seats together).
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11 Replies
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MAD is my home airport.
You should have enough time.
If not and you were delayed inbound, and it’s all booked on one itinerary, they should get you on the next flight home.
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You don’t have to go through customs unless you’re self-transferring.
You will have to go through passport control.
Yes, you will be rebooked free of charge as long as you follow the transfer signs.
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Madrid can be a madhouse, especially for non-EU travelers.
With a terminal change plus immigration clearance, it’s going to be (very) tight.
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Genuine and possibly stupid question – are you sure you actually have to go through immigration?
This is EU to EU and both are Schengen countries, so I thought there’s no immigration involved.
Only have to clear immigration at JFK.
Am I wrong?
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If both legs are purchased on the same ticket, they will rebook you free of charge.
But also, that should be enough time considering you’re transiting via Madrid from Lisbon.
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I’m from Madrid and visit every year. Terminal 4S (satellite) is huge.
From my experience traveling back to the States, the gates for US flights are at the very end of Terminal 4S so there will be a fair amount of walking to do plus the terminal train.
The airport signs estimate it will take you about 20min to your gate once you pass the “TSA” check.
The police check point is usually not too bad, but I go through the EU line, which is shorter most of the times.
One more thing to consider is one extra check you’ll have to go through right before getting to your gate.
There is an additional check for US flights.
You just show your US passport and boarding pass, but it’s one more step.
I think it’ll be tight. If your kids are not too young, make them run I’ve done it with mine before.
Enjoy Portugal.
It’s beautiful!
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We did this amount of time this summer and it was fine.
They usually have a separate line in customs for people with young kids.
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We missed a connection coming into Madrid from DFW due to delays in taking off.
Iberia was awesome, as we exited the plane they had staff right there with new boarding passes etc for our new flight on to Geneva.
Look up the map of the airport so you know where to go for your next flight.
Ask for directions etc…
We were sent downstairs then back up etc…
The main terminal is nice and has fantastic ham sandwiches!
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I have made it through Madrid in 30 minutes.
It was a hike, but you can do it.
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It is going to be very tight.
You are arriving in T1 and departing from T4S (satellite).
If you exit T1 and take the shuttle bus to T4 (it is miles away), then go through security again, then take the train from T4 to T4S, then the additional security check for US bound flights….doable but tight.
However, I was looking at this link and it sounds like there is some kind of special bus from T1 to T4S for transit passengers?
This would make it a LOT easier and you wouldn’t have to go through security again.
I would certainly look into this option.
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It’s cutting it close but doable.
We had a flight from Porto to DFW on American with a layover in Madrid last month.
We missed our flight but it was in part due to the language barrier and our first flight was delayed.
American was willing to rebook the following day free of charge with an additional layover.
Iberia had a flight available the same day so we took that and paid the flight difference.
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