Questions and Answers

I’m flying to Porto via Madrid from JFK tomorrow (AA94 –> AA8605 (IB8726)) and the distances at MAD are actually starting to worry me as long walks (especially after long flights, even in a flat seat) can cause me pretty awful pain.

Between warnings from people I know and quotes from Lucky…
[LIST]
[*]”Walking at a German pace, it took me 20 minutes to get into the arrivals hall”
[*]”It was a good 15 minute walk to my gate, and that was walking at a German pace (aka near jogging).”
[/LIST]
…I am wondering if I should just arrange for a wheelchair? It’s been a couple of years since back surgery when I used to do this regularly, so I was wondering if anyone knows if you can just request it on arrival, not departure (at JFK)? Or is MAD not as gigantic as everyone makes it out to be?

Side Q: Flying business from JFK-MAD but the flight on Iberia’s Air Nostrum to Porto is economy only. Have been confused about what if any lounge access I have while in MAD. I see there is a Priority Pass lounge in Terminal 4, though never received a physical card for that from Chase yet

Madrid [I]is[/I] gigantic, but you could luck out and not have to go between terminals? Not sure what the International vs. Schengen situation is there.

If you need a wheelchair, you’ll want to call the airline now and arrange it. You might also be able to ask the agents in JFK to arrange it for you.

And yep, you can show your business class boarding pass and should get lounge access.

My understanding is that one gate is in 4 and the other is in 4S. So, international and then Schengen as I’m headed onto Porto. Giving AA a call per your advice.

Thanks!

Thanks again Tiffany — I called AA. Sometimes service is great…

In under 5 mins the AA rep I spoke with with a) setup the wheelchair at MAD and was quite helpful + politely insistent that MAD is giant and not worth risking not using a chair, b) proactively setup wheelchairs on the return next weekend which goes CPH-LHR-JFK w/o even asking why my return started on the other side of Europe (work), c) assured me that as I really didn’t want and felt i didn’t need a wheelchair at JFK no one would try to put me in one.