- Introduction: Gin & Churros For The Weekend
- Review: American Economy Class A321 Los Angeles To New York
- Review: American Business Class 767 New York To Madrid
- Review: American Flagship Lounge Dallas DFW Airport
- Review: British Airways First Class 777 Austin To London
- Review: Westin Palace Madrid Hotel
- Exploring Madrid
- Day Trip To Toledo
- Review: Iberia Business Class Lounge Madrid
- Review: Sala VIP Amnios Lounge Madrid
- Review: Iberia Economy Class A321 Madrid To London
- Review: American Business Class 777-300ER London To Los Angeles
I was flying from Madrid to London on Iberia in economy, connecting to American business class from London to Los Angeles.
My flight from Madrid to London was at 8:20AM, and I got to the airport at around 6:30AM. While I’ve connected at the Madrid Barajas Airport before, this was my first time originating travel there.
The airport’s terminal is gorgeous, including the check-in hall.
Madrid Barajas Airport check-in hall
It might even be one of my favorite designs anywhere, as I love the wood panelling on the ceiling.
I easily found the Iberia business class check-in, where there was a short queue.
Iberia check-in Madrid Airport
I was checking three boxes 0n this journey, which turned into a bit of an adventure, as there was confusion over my baggage allowance. See my previous post on the topic for more on that. And suffice to say that whole process didn’t end well either.
My checked baggage at Madrid Airport
Oops!
Anyway, the friendly guy checking me in directed me to towards the fast track security queue, where the line was very short.
Madrid Barajas Airport check-in hall
I appreciate that the airport has a completely separate premium channel, as it makes it much easier than airports where you have to fight your way to get into the premium line.
Madrid Airport fast track security
I was through in a matter of minutes, at which point I found myself inside what felt like a shopping mall, as seems to be the norm at airports in Europe and Asia.
Madrid Airport duty free shopping
The Iberia Lounge is actually located just past security, though it took me a couple of minutes to find it, as I found the signage to be quite confusing and even contradictory.
Madrid Airport Sala VIP signage
The lounge was located past the security checkpoint and to the right.
Iberia Lounge Madrid Airport entrance
There was a bit of a queue to get into the Iberia Business Class Lounge, though within about a minute I was admitted with my boarding pass, which displayed my oneworld Emerald status. If you wouldn’t otherwise have access, there are a number of Priority Pass options available here where a credit card with lounge access could come in handy.
Iberia Lounge Madrid Airport reception desk
The lounge itself was quite nice. It was airy, given that it had the same ceiling as the rest of the terminal. And the furniture was also in fairly good condition. I also appreciated that there was lots of separation between seating areas, so the lounge didn’t feel too huge, unlike some lounges which just line up hundreds of chairs without any separation.
Madrid Airport Iberia Lounge seating
The lounge had two “sides,” which were split by the reception desk. Each side had a food and drink spread. I spent my time on the right side.
Madrid Airport Iberia Lounge seating
Madrid Airport Iberia Lounge seating
Madrid Airport Iberia Lounge seating
Madrid Airport Iberia Lounge seating
Madrid Airport Iberia Lounge seating
I sat down near a pretty cute waterfall-type structure.
Madrid Airport Iberia Lounge seating
Madrid Airport Iberia Lounge waterfall
You can get between the two sides of the lounge either via the area in front of the reception desk, or through a narrow walkway on the other side of the lounge.
Madrid Airport Iberia Lounge seating
The other side of the lounge was similar, though also had some more varied seating areas, including high-top seating as well as a TV room.
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge seating
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge seating
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge seating
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge TV room
Both sides more or less had the same buffet setup. There was self serve booze, soft drinks, juice, beer, wine, an espresso machine, etc.
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge buffet
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge buffet
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge drink selection
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge drink selection
Then there were snacks including chips, pretzels, olives, croissants, toast, yogurt, danishes, etc.
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge buffet
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge buffet
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge buffet
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge buffet
There was also a cooler with some Haagen-Dazs ice cream.
Madrid Airport Iberia Business Class Lounge ice cream
The Wi-Fi in the lounge was on the slow side, though fortunately I didn’t have much time in the lounge.
The lounge had decent enough restrooms, and also had shower rooms, though I didn’t have a chance to check them out, as they were occupied.
While the lounge was quiet when I arrived, it filled up really quickly, and by the time I left almost every seat was taken.
Boarding was scheduled for 7:50AM, so I left the lounge at around 7:30AM to get to my departure gate, H8.
Madrid Airport terminal
While Madrid Airport is gorgeous, it also requires a ton of walking. There’s not really a train system within concourses, and the concourses are really long. It was a good 15 minute walk to my gate, and that was walking at a German pace (aka near jogging).
Gate H8 was almost at the very end of the concourse, and there was a passport check shortly before it.
Madrid Airport terminal
The gate itself was in a fairly orderly condition. There was a business class/elite queue to the right and an economy queue to the left, so when boarding was called it was quite easy to access the correct lane without having to navigate around dozens of people.
Madrid Airport departure gate to London Heathrow
Boarding started at 7:50AM via the fast track lane, so I was onboard within a few minutes. There were dozens of people in the queue, as the business class cabin on this plane was especially big (since it’s an intra-Europe flight, the size of the business class cabin is flexible based on the demand). Add in tons of elite members in economy, and it seemed like there were more fast track passengers than economy passengers.
Madrid Airport departure gate to London Heathrow
The jet bridge was a good distance from the terminal, and had glass windows, which I appreciate.
Iberia A321 Madrid Airport
I sure do like Iberia’s new livery, at least compared to the old one.
Iberia A321 Madrid Airport
Iberia Business Class Lounge Madrid bottom line
I was only in the Iberia Lounge Madrid for about 30 minutes, but had a nice stay. The lounge was airy and modern, and the food and drink spread was perfectly nice for a lounge in Europe. I certainly wouldn’t go out of my way to plan a long layover for the purpose of visiting it, but I do think it’s one of the nicer European business class lounges out there.
If you’ve visited the Iberia Lounge Madrid, what was your experience like?
Can you access the Velasquez room in T4S, even though you onward flight is Schengen?
We are arriving in Madrid at 8:30 am, and our flight to Toulouse isn't until 7:00 pm...
Hi,
I agree the Velazquez lounge is better, but here are a few comments worth considering. Breakfast remains out in the morning until early afternoon. In keeping with how Madrilenos eat (not necessarily travelers), lunch items are put out at 2 p.m. I was there recently at 1:30, famished, and made do with some stale packaged sandwiches. But the hot food after 2 p.m. was great. Now, get this: Dinner, hot dinner food, is...
Hi,
I agree the Velazquez lounge is better, but here are a few comments worth considering. Breakfast remains out in the morning until early afternoon. In keeping with how Madrilenos eat (not necessarily travelers), lunch items are put out at 2 p.m. I was there recently at 1:30, famished, and made do with some stale packaged sandwiches. But the hot food after 2 p.m. was great. Now, get this: Dinner, hot dinner food, is put out starting at 9:30 p.m. Starting at 9:30 p.m! I was in Montreal (YUL) recently and their international lounge closed at 8:30 p.m. A couple of other things about the Velazquez: First, excellent selection of wines. Probably, in terms of diversity, the best I've ever seen in a biz class lounge. I counted seven varieties of sherry. Seven. They had a wonderful white Rioja too, hard to find good ones in North America. But there was one thing I really didn't like: You pass through the duty free to enter, so that excruciatingly strong smell of duty free perfume permeates the lounge. It's really hard to escape. I was with someone who had an allergic reaction and there was no escaping it.
The lounge in 4S, accessed in the middle of the duty free store, is far superior.
it is also worth bearing in mind that BA's London flights operate out of 4S and so provide access to the Velazquez lounge.
Interesting to see how the lounge hasn't changed at all, including the irritating wi-fi that I mentioned in my review 2 + years back.
and yes, this is a Schengen lounge only. http://vishal1mehra.com/2013/07/03/flying-iberia-madrid-barajas-schengen-lounge-report/
@Lucky
As other have said there are several Iberia lounges in MAD, perhaps you could update the title to reflex which one you were in?
There is the Dali and the Velazquez.
In the main T4 there is the Dali
http://loungeindex.com/Europe/Spain/MAD/Iberia%20Dali%20Lounge%20T4%20Schengen/index.htm
And in the T4S there is the Velazquez.
http://loungeindex.com/Europe/Spain/MAD/Iberia%20Velazquez%20Lounge%20T4S/index.htm
Dear all,
as this is my new home base I can tell you that the Lounge Review is located in terminal T4 which is the Schengen-Part. The international flights to Non-Schengen Areas depart from Terminal T4S which is connected by a short Underground Train ride.
The Iberia Lounge in T4S is bigger and features more food and in the evening even an a la carte-dining menue.
What Ben forget to mention is, that there...
Dear all,
as this is my new home base I can tell you that the Lounge Review is located in terminal T4 which is the Schengen-Part. The international flights to Non-Schengen Areas depart from Terminal T4S which is connected by a short Underground Train ride.
The Iberia Lounge in T4S is bigger and features more food and in the evening even an a la carte-dining menue.
What Ben forget to mention is, that there is a wine bar in the left part of the Lounge which is usually staffed by a somelier/bartender who can recommend wine and even can give you a short wine tasting :-)
The Iberia Lounges are serviced by Melia Hotels which guarantees a certain Level of Quality.
I've only spent time in the other lounge (used for longhaul flights). MUCH, MUCH nicer...complete with delicious hot food offerings, nap room, showers, etc. I always arrive at MAD a bit early to avail myself to that lounge.
Is that their main lounge as well for long haul business passengers also? If so, kind of cheap food offerings for a lounge.
Usually fly out of T1 in Madrid. Doesn't come anywhere close to T4. One of the worst terminals in Europe.
Remind anyone else about LAX T5 Admirals Club?
The T4s lounge has much better food selection.
You can access it on us flights.
Just curious, if you are connecting to a long haul flight in business class, that entitles you to business class check-in/priority security/lounge access at your point of origin?
And what about the fast track lane for this flight- was that due to OW Emerald status? Or also due to connecting to business class?
I'm flying MAD>DFW next month on AA J. Would this be the lounge I use?
Nice review of my main airport Lucky! But is necessary to clarify that actually the T4 have two concourses. Main concourse serves only intra-europe flights. You can transfer between concourses by a train. In the other concourse Iberia also have a lounge who serves long-haul flights. This lounge its much nicer than the intra-europe lounge and also have a nice a la carte restaurant catered by Melia hotels and an impressive wine bar! Hope you...
Nice review of my main airport Lucky! But is necessary to clarify that actually the T4 have two concourses. Main concourse serves only intra-europe flights. You can transfer between concourses by a train. In the other concourse Iberia also have a lounge who serves long-haul flights. This lounge its much nicer than the intra-europe lounge and also have a nice a la carte restaurant catered by Melia hotels and an impressive wine bar! Hope you can review this lounge in the future!