Track flights from Madrid and compare Iberia, Ryanair, and Vueling fare windows.
Terminal 4 and its satellite T4S - Richard Rogers' steel-and-glass masterpiece - house Iberia, all oneworld partners, and every long-haul departure from Barajas (MAD). Terminals 1-3 handle European, domestic, and budget carrier operations. Metro Line 8 connects all terminals to Nuevos Ministerios (central Madrid) in 15 minutes, with a EUR 3 airport supplement. The Express Airport Bus runs 24/7 to Atocha station for EUR 5.
Iberia dominates the Latin America market from MAD with daily nonstops to Buenos Aires, Mexico City, São Paulo, Bogotá, Lima, and a dozen more. No other European hub has this density of Americas connectivity. For European budget routes, Ryanair and Vueling compete aggressively - triangulating between MAD, BCN, and secondary Spanish airports on the same corridor can save EUR 30-80 per person.
Semana Santa (Easter week) is Madrid's biggest fare spike. Processions fill the city, hotels sell out, and flight prices climb 40-60% for a 10-day stretch. The paradox is August - Madrileños flee the 40°C heat, airlines follow the locals, and outbound fares actually drop as seats go unsold. For budget departures from MAD, the first half of August and early November are consistently the cheapest windows.
Terminal 4 and T4S for all long-haul and oneworld alliance flights. Iberia, BA, American Airlines, and Cathay Pacific operate from T4/T4S. European budget carriers (Ryanair, Vueling) typically use Terminals 1-3. A free bus shuttle connects all terminals.
It depends on your destination. MAD wins for Latin America (Iberia's dense nonstop network) and some long-haul routes. BCN is cheaper for European budget destinations because Ryanair and Vueling have even more capacity there. For the same European city, always compare both airports — the difference can be EUR 50-100.
Early August (locals leave, airlines discount heavily) and November are the cheapest periods. Semana Santa (Easter) is the most expensive — avoid it unless you specifically want to see the processions. January-February and late October are reliable mid-range options.
