My wife and I have an American Airlines (AA) return flight booked on one ticket on May 29, 2025 from Florence, Italy that connects at Madrid Barajas Airport for a flight to Chicago, where we then have another connection. AA made a change that now reduces our connection time in Madrid to only 90 minutes, instead of the original 2 hours. AA says it's a valid ("legal") connection. Both flights are AA, but the flight from Florence to Madrid is AA operated by Vueling.
• Do AA and Vueling always use the exact same terminal in Madrid?
It seems that maybe they both use terminal T-4, but I could not get verification from AA. Vueling's site just says they use Terminal 4, but might that include the satellite terminal T-4S, which would increase connection time?
• Will we have slowdowns in Madrid from Passport and/or Immigration Control? And/or a Security Checkpoint?
This was our best option for return flight and connections, without adding many hours to the trip, and if we miss th 90-minute connection, it might result in getting stuck for a day in Madrid airport. We greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23777 posts
You should be OK with the usual comments about being on time, etc. At least with one ticket if something goes wrong AA responsible to getting you on the next plane. If you hit long lines notify someone that you have a short connect. Generally they will move you up in the line or have a special line. Madrid is fairly easy airport to get around.
Posted by
Freedonia
17068 posts
One correction...if you miss your connection in Madrid, AA needs to get you on the next AVAILABLE flight and not necessarily the next flight. They aren't going to bump someone from that flight to get you on.
You will have to go through Schengen exit immigration in Madrid.