MAD Madrid Barajas Airport Guide for 2026
T4 vs T1/2/3, the satellite shuttle, customs, metro to Sol, lounges, and how to track every MAD flight in 2026.
Quick facts
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD / LEMD) is Spain's largest airport and Iberia's main hub. Long-haul Iberia and oneworld traffic operates from T4 and its satellite T4S, while most other carriers and Schengen LCC use T1/T2/T3.
- Time zone: Europe/Madrid
- Metro Line 8: MAD T4 → Nuevos Ministerios in ~20 minutes
T4 ↔ T4S
The Iberia long-haul satellite T4S is connected to the main T4 building only by an underground people-mover. Plan 20–30 minutes to traverse it, including the inter-terminal train and any passport check.
Customs
Schengen entry stamping at MAD is generally efficient. The biometric EES rollout has shortened lines for non-EU travelers since late-2024.
Lounges
- Iberia Velázquez Premium (T4S) — the long-haul flagship.
- Iberia Dalí Premium (T4) — for business and oneworld emerald.
- Sala Cibeles (T1) — Priority Pass.
Track your MAD flight
FlightyFlow is great for MAD because Iberia's gate assignments shift inside the final two hours — predictive alerts give you time to make the long T4 → T4S transit.
Frequently asked
Is the MAD metro fast enough to get downtown?+
Yes — Line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios takes about 20 minutes and from there the rest of the system is at your fingertips. Note the airport supplement (about €3) on top of a normal ticket.
How early should I get to MAD T4 for a long-haul flight?+
Plan 2.5 hours. The T4 → T4S transit, plus security and any passport check, can eat 45 minutes on busy mornings.
Track your next flight with FlightyFlow
Free on the App Store. Live aircraft, smart alerts, and beautiful flight pages — built for iPhone.