This May, I'm flying from Porto to DFW via Madrid on Iberia-operated flight with a 70 minute connection, I purchased on same ticket through American. I am a bit concerned. Flying from Portugal to Spain should be like a domestic flight within the USA, but passport control before I board DFW-bound plane in Madrid. I am flying with carry on. Does anyone have an experience with a situation similar to mine? Advice? I am a bit surprised that legally they are able to sell this.
Posted by
Cloud
273 posts
Did you buy this with a 70 minute connection or did they just change the schedule to a shorter connection?
Anyhow, if you miss the connection due to the first flight not arriving in Madrid on time, the airline will be liable and put you on the next flight with space available. If no space is available the same day they will put you in a hotel with meal vouchers after rebooking you on the next flight with space available
Also since Iberia is a European based carrier you can file a claim if you miss the flight for compensation up to 600 euros:
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/guide-eu261-flight-compensation/
My flight was delayed once from Paris and I got the compensation 6 months later electronically in my bank account. Not bad.
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
I know Madrid Airport's Terminal 4 complex pretty well, where both of these flights would be. 70 minutes is tight, for sure, But not impossible. The line/wait at passport control is the risk factor/anxiety point. There will be an airport agent directing traffic at passport control, and if there is a line I'd go directly to them to ask if they can jump you ahead. Flights to the US leave from the extreme ends of T4S, which itself is haul from where you enter the building: I've timed it at 10 minutes walking purposefully, without using the travelators.
Maybe watch a couple of YouTubes to give you some familiarization with the terminals. Something like this, though it's the reverse of what you'll be doing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-wOd_MS7Go&t=108s
Not that it makes much/any difference, but MAD-DFW is usually an AA flight, with an Ibeia number as a codeshare. (Edit to add: Well, look at that. There are two DFW flights a day, one each. Though that afternoon departure must make it one of the last to North America, meaning same-day reroute options would be slim-to-none.)
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
Also- Board the inter-terminal train in the middle, and cross to exit the doors on the other side. This will set you up to bee-line to the escalators ahead of most people on the same train, reaching passport control before them. The elevators there are almost always slower.
Posted by
Tennessee
393 posts
This topic interested me because I am currently scheduled for a 90 minute connection in Madrid (Oporto-Madrid-Atlanta).
I looked at the YouTube video whose link Scudder posted (helpful) then found another YouTube video by the same guy that was more comprehensive in discussing connections at Madrid. I conclude that it is key to know in advance the terminal for both your inbound and outbound flights...and I may now decide to fly to Madrid one night early.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0_-PL3nLes
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
Elizabeth- Knowing the terminals helps, but if you're on one ticket it would be very unusual to have to change between the T4 complex and T1/2/3.
If you're flying MAD-ATL, I'd bet that your OPO-MAD leg is on AirEuropa, no? That would all be in T1/2/3, and it would be faster and easier than T4, and 90 mins should be fine.
Posted by
Tennessee
393 posts
Scudder, I sent you a private message.
Posted by
OP
Texas
374 posts
I did a bit more research it seems that T4 will be the terminal I fly in and out of. I will be periodically checking my route from now until I leave my actual flight in May, for peace of mind.
I looked into that EU261 flight article, does anyone know if there is no actual delay, is the airline still on the hook? If I just miss the flight due to a long security line am I just out of luck?