Located 30 minutes from the center of downtown Madrid, Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) is Spain’s busiest airport, handling more than 60 million passengers a year. Anyone who has flown from Madrid also knows how large it is and how long it takes to get between terminals. The only airport with a larger footprint in Europe is Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
A good place to relax
Before we look at the choice of lounges at Madrid Barajas Airport, let’s first look at why you might want to use one of them. Lounges provide passengers with a sanctuary from all the hustle and bustle that takes place at a busy airport. They are especially welcome for connecting travelers, of which Madrid sees many.
If you only travel once or twice a year, it can be hard justifying the expense of being able to use an airport lounge. However, an airport lounge can be a game changer if you are a frequent flyer or travel for business. If nothing else, an airport lounge provides comfortable chairs and a place to relax before your flight. With WiFi and charging available, airport lounges are also a great place to get some work done.
Depending upon the lounge in question, free food and drinks may be offered, making paying for a one-time pass less expensive than it might cost you to eat and drink at an airport bar or restaurant. Some lounges even have showers, which can be a godsend if you have a long layover between two long-haul flights.
Typically, airline-sponsored lounges for their business and first class passengers and partner airline alliance members are located airside, in the terminal from which they depart. Some airlines will even have multiple lounges at their hubs, to cater to different classes of travel and frequent flyer status levels.
Iberia’s lounges in Terminal 4
In Spain, the country’s national flag carrier and the largest airline is Iberia. All Iberia flights, as well as otheroneworld alliance flights operated by the likes of American Airlines and British Airways, also arrive at and depart from Terminal 4. Given its importance to Iberia and its partners, Terminal 4 is home to multiple lounges.
In terms of Iberia’s lounges, it has two in Terminal 4 at Madrid Barajas Airport. These are the Velázquez Premium Lounge and the Dalí Premium Lounge. The former of these is located in Terminal 4’s satellite building (for long-haul and non-Schengen flights), while the latter can be found in the main body of the terminal itself. Access is for business class passengers and high-level frequent flyer status holders.
Other options
Away from the facilities Iberia offers, Sala VIP Plaza Mayor Lounge (La Revoltosa) is located in T4 on the first floor adjacent to the AENA Exhibition Room. Only available to people traveling within the Schengen Zone, the lounge offers a catering service, free WiFi, fax and printer, showers, and an office for left luggage.
Priority Pass holders and passengers with a business or first class ticket can use the lounge for up to four hours before departure. Meanwhile, the walk-in rate is €33.90 ($36.17) per adult, with this fee being payable at the entrance.
On the other hand, the Neptuno VIP Lounge is only available for people traveling on non-Schengen Zone flights. The lounge offers passengers a catering and drinks service, Internet access, a working area, and showers. The lounge is open to Priority Pass members and passengers holding a business or first class ticket. If space is available, the walk-in rate comes to €35 ($37.34) per adult.
Non-Terminal 4 lounges
Elsewhere in the airport, the Puerta Del Sol lounge is located airside in Terminal 3. The lounge is only open to people traveling in the Schengen Zone, and it offers catering, drinks, WiFi, and showers. It is available to Priority Pass members and people traveling on a business of first class ticket. If space is available, you can use the lounge for up to four hours before your flight for €33.90 ($36.17).
Meanwhile, the Puerta de Alcala lounge is located airside in Terminal 2 on the second floor near gate D62. The lounge is for Schengen Zone flights departing from Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. The lounge offers a catering service, free drinks, Internet access, showers, and a left luggage office, and is open for 24 hours a day.
The lounge is available to Priority Pass members, as well as passengers traveling with a first or business class ticket. The walk-in rate is €33.90 ($36.17), and the facility is open to passengers four hours before their flight’s departure time.
Located airside in Terminal 1 on the second floor, Madrid Airport’s Cibeles lounge is for people traveling on non-Schengen Zone flights departing from Terminal 1. The lounge offers visitors expansive views of the airport and has a lovely outdoor terrace. The food and drink offerings are plentiful, emphasizing Spanish products.
There is also a business area where you can get some work done, as well as showers if you need to freshen up, and a place to relax and watch television. The lounge is open to Priority Pass members and people traveling on a business or first class ticket. If space is available, the walk-in rate is €35 ($37.34) per adult.
What do you make of Madrid Barajas Airport’s various lounges? How many have you visited over the years, and do you have a favorite? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
Sources: Iberia, Madrid Barajas Airport