Iberia Lounge At Madrid Terminal 4
If you’re flying long haul, and either terminating or connecting in Madrid, you could have access to a great airport lounge – Iberia’s Velázquez Lounge in Terminal T4S.
This is one of three Iberia lounges in T4S – the others being the Dali Lounge and the new VIP Lounge located in Arrivals. They’re all good lounges, but I consider the Velázquez Lounge to be the pick of them. Here’s why.
Snapshot Verdict
Iberia’s Velázquez Lounge at Madrid Terminal 4S is a top-notch facility offering a comfortable and well-equipped space for travelers. Here, you’ll find great amenities to make the wait for your flight less taxing. These include excellent seating options, workspaces, and rest/shower rooms.
The extensive food options showcase Spanish food and wines, and there are well-appointed self-service bars and food stations, as well as a restaurant serving more substantial meals. If you’ve got kids, you’ll be thankful for the integrated Kids’ Area.
Overall, it’s a standout lounge worth visiting if you qualify for access.
Where Is The Lounge?
The first thing you notice about this lounge is its rather unique location. You’ll find the entrance in the middle of the duty-free shop – not the duty-free area, but the shop itself. Once in the shop, you won’t miss the entrance, providing you are paying attention – bright red glass panels, bright signage, and sliding doors.
Who Is The Lounge For?
If you’re flying Business Class with Iberia or any of its Oneworld partners, you’ll have access to the Velázquez Lounge. These partners include British Airways, American Airlines, and Qatar Airways.
In addition, you can access the lounge if you:
- Are a Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald member
- Are a Premium Business traveler with LATAM
- Have LATAM Black, Black Signature, or Platinum status
When Is The Lounge Open?
The lounge is available 24 hours a day, though you’ll find the best service and choice of amenities between 6 am and 11 pm.
Is The Lounge Comfortable?
Terminal 4S Madrid is huge. It can take 30 minutes to walk to your gate! When you first walk into the Velázquez Lounge, the length of it might be the first thing you notice. You might need binoculars to see to the end!
Its length is accentuated by its narrowness. However, it doesn’t feel cramped. Light floods in through the side facing the tarmac, which is fully glassed and makes for some excellent viewing while you are waiting for your gate to be called.
The reception is located in the middle of the lounge, which means a bit of a walk to check in.
That being said, this does provide you with the opportunity to assess some of the main amenities the lounge has to offer – both sides of the lounge are largely replicated, with a couple of exceptions being the kids’ area and bar, which are to the right of the reception desk.
There’s a great selection of seating options. Whether you want to relax on mini sofas, take yourself away from the crowd to do a little work, wish to read a book or magazine, or do a bit of people watching, there’s an area for you.
With casual and formal spaces, whether your goal is to work, relax, adjust to a new time zone, or prepare for your flight, this is a great space to do it.
What Food And Drinks Are Available?
Though long and narrow, if you walk to the end of the lounge, you’ll find the space opens up into a welcoming bar area. Though it looks like a traditional bar, this is self-service, offering a variety of drinks from vending-style machines, drinks trollies, and fridges.
There are two food stations in the lounge, both offering snacks and a full buffet. There are plenty of healthy-eating options, as well as drinks stations throughout the lounge for tea, coffee, and soft drinks (with some alcoholic options, too).
There are few countries I’ve visited that deliver coffee as good as they do in Spain, and the coffee machines here won’t disappoint.
If you desire something a little more substantial before boarding your flight, head to the restaurant where you can select from a delicious à la carte menu. This is a decent-sized space, though it lacks natural light – there are no windows here.
Something I like about the menus here is that they have a bias toward Spanish food. Sure, there are sandwiches, fruits, salads, and the like available; but you have plenty more traditional food choices to get your first or last taste of Spain before take-off.
Iberia has said that it is introducing special tasting sessions, too, though I have yet to have the pleasure.
What About The Kids?
If you’re traveling with kids, that space between arrival and flight can be a nightmare. How do you keep your kids entertained in an airport?
Iberia has the answer – a kids’ area kitted out with plenty to keep them busy while you enjoy a relaxing pre-flight drink. Bright furniture to add a captivating visual aspect, board games, video games, and a range of toys for the younger ones. (There’s also a Baby Centre to give you the space to attend to the needs of your smallest family members if you prefered some privacy.)
If you’re not traveling with children, you might want to avoid the Kids’ Area. It’s integrated into the main lounge and doesn’t benefit from soundproofing – and you just know excited kids are going to make a bit of noise!
Can You Work Here?
Good news if you want to replace those waiting hours with working hours. There’s a space that resembles a hot-desk office, neatly tucked away from the main lounge so that you get some privacy. There’s also a business centerequipped with smart-touch TVs.
If you’re prepared to work in the open, with a buzz around you, there are plenty of tables which are a good size for a laptop, notebook, and a coffee or other beverage. Around the lounge, you’ll find plentiful electric sockets to power and charge your mobile devices.
Other Amenities
Personally, I like to keep my carry-on luggage with me in the lounge (I try to travel as light as possible, too). If you do want to rid yourself of tour cabin bags while in the lounge, there’s luggage storage just inside the entrance to the lounge.
There’s also a TV and leisure zone, and free Wi-Fi is included throughout the lounge – no need to use your roaming data allowance here.
There are also rest and shower facilities in this lounge – six in total. This means it’s a bit hit and miss to get one. The rooms are opened with a pin code that you’ll get from reception. These facilities are clean, comfortable, and well-stocked – ideal for freshening up between connecting flights.
For extra convenience, you’ll find tablets throughout the lounge to help you check on availability of food and drink. You’ll also have access to several national and international publications, including newspapers and magazines using a QR code.
Summing Up
The Velázquez Lounge in Madrid’s Terminal 4S is Iberia’s flagship lounge in its home country. It’s comfortable, well-equipped, and offers eclectic options for visitors to relax, work, and refresh before their flights.
There are plenty of food and drink options, a variety of seating, excellent internet connectivity, and a range of amenities that make it a worthwhile visit.
It’s not perfect, I’ve not visited a lounge that is; but it is a level or two above many airport lounges. It’s a terrific option for travelers, and available to use if you meet the eligibility criteria, including if you’ve upgraded your flight ticket with British Airways or are booking Business Class flights using Avios points collected from everyday spending.
In short, if you are flying from or through Madrid Airport, be sure to make time to enjoy Iberia’s Velázquez Lounge. You can thank me later!
