Transit time in Madrid - RJ to IB

[adenda]

As part of our OWA next year we have a 55 minute connection time in Madrid between an incoming RJ flight and an IB connection to Barcelona. IB have a flight an hour later that is showing J reward availability but I'm very reluctant to risk possibly losing other flights in our itinerary through reticketing delays to make the change to a later flight.
Interested to hear the forum's view on the adequacy of this connection time. As far as I can determine both flights operate in/out of Terminal 4.

 

[jpp42]

The incoming flight is from AMM, correct? You will have to pass through customs and immigration when arriving MAD and transfer to a Schengen terminal for the flight to BCN, including re-checking bags if applicable. T4 has two sections, one for Schengen and one for non-Schengen, with a train between them. Given it's a very short flight to BCN, would you be willing to accept flying in Y if you can't make the connection and have to be reaccommodated on a later flight? If so, I might not worry about it since the connection should be guaranteed.

Someone else maybe can check the official MCT time, as you will have a problem with ticketing if the connection is less than the published MCT.

 

[ozflier]

The incoming flight is from AMM, correct? You will have to pass through customs and immigration when arriving MAD and transfer to a Schengen terminal for the flight to BCN, including re-checking bags if applicable. T4 has two sections, one for Schengen and one for non-Schengen, with a train between them. Given it's a very short flight to BCN, would you be willing to accept flying in Y if you can't make the connection and have to be reaccommodated on a later flight? If so, I might not worry about it since the connection should be guaranteed.

Someone else maybe can check the official MCT time, as you will have a problem with ticketing if the connection is less than the published MCT.

According to EF, MCT international to domestic at MAD is 90 minutes !

 

[adenda]

Flight is from AMM. Been ticketed for months - apparently without issue.
I've already had 2 flight changes requiring reticketing so if (when) the next one happens I'll look at a later flight as well. If not, then I'll just see what transpires. I assume if we're reaccommodated into Y, the J perks such as lounge access and luggage allowance are not affected?

 

[madrooster]

As part of our OWA next year we have a 55 minute connection time in Madrid between an incoming RJ flight and an IB connection to Barcelona.

Illegal connection and way too short for MAD regardless. Get it fixed/changed.

You will need to clear immigration in MAD but you do not need to collect bags.

 

[clifford]

Illegal connection and way too short for MAD regardless. Get it fixed/changed.

You will need to clear immigration in MAD but you do not need to collect bags.

Yes, all fine, but I wouldn't try and get it changed by an offshore agent for obvious reasons.

As it's ticketed as one itinerary (I assume), there's the backstop of taking a later flight if the ticketed one is missed.

 

[madrooster]

As it's ticketed as one itinerary (I assume), there's the backstop of taking a later flight if the ticketed one is missed.

If it's below MCT you're on your own. They are under no obligation to move you at their expense.

 

[adenda]

That’s my quandary - get it fixed at potentially great cost (not monetary) or take the chance of having to fly later possibly in Y.
Unless I have no choice - because of schedule changes requiring reticketing - I’ll go for the second option.
Curious why there was no issue booking it in the first place.

 

[adenda]

If it's below MCT you're on your own. They are under no obligation to move you at their expense.

Didn’t know that - changes the equation a bit. Looks like I’ll be changing to a later flight when the next schedule change inevitably happens.

 

[PERLHR]

The MCT would-be the main issue if enforced and Iberia can be an odd ball. There are loads of flights between MAD and BCN so indeed best bet just get it changed to one that gives you time to factor in a bit of delay, customs and immigration and getting to the gate (Barajas is big).

 

[madrooster]

Didn’t know that - changes the equation a bit. Looks like I’ll be changing to a later flight when the next schedule change inevitably happens.

You would want to do it sooner than later.

 

[adenda]

Decided to bite the bullet today and rang Qantas to get the MAD-BCN flight moved to the very next flight - 1 hour later. Asked if the agent could contact ticketing dept whilst on the call but they declined stating that ticketing dept would't entertain such a request unless travel was imminent (heard this a few times before)
Nevertheless asked the agent to check moving to a later flight (same origin/destination but exactly 1 hour later) but they said it couldn't be done, despite availability, due to an error - something about too many segments. This doesn't make any sense as our OWA itinerary of 10 flights has been booked and ticketed for some months now. Why would making what is effectively a 1 hour flight change not be possible? No change to total distance, number of stopovers or number of sectors. Wondering if this is a example of the agent not knowing how to make the change?

[Will be in the lounge on a couple of occasions next week - can the desk staff in there handle any queries of this sort?]

 

[PERLHR]

Sounds like nonsense from the agent. Try again I would suggest when Hobart agents on line? Should have nothing to do with segments. Never heard such nonsense. It's MAD to BCN nothing complicated. Tell them that! (Nicely). Good luck.

 

[adenda]

What time would you suggest I call to increase the (slim) chance of getting a Hobart agent?

(Never thought I'd miss the days when calling Qantas involved hours on hold - but got you through to a half competent agent)