Please let us help you by giving you a little advice to make sure your next trip is a success

Before Starting Out:

Check what documents you need to travel to your destination (return ticket, travel document, passport or ID card, visa for countries for which one is required and good travel insurance (as comprehensive as possible), and check the information and advice that the Ministries for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation offer. Take with you the address and telephone number of the Embassy or Consulate for your country in the countries you will be visiting.

Find the Iberia office closest to your destination.

Keep your luggage safe and to hand. Make sure you know the baggage allowance for your trip. Do not fill your hand luggage too much, so that the security staff can check it easily. Remember that passengers can carry one item of hand luggage and one personal item (a handbag or briefcase) on each flight .

Security limitations on hand luggage

• Do not forget to write your name and contact information on the luggage labels. We recommend that you always include a label inside every bag .
• Take off the labels from earlier trips to avoid confusion.
• Make sure that nothing is sticking or hanging out of your luggage, to prevent it getting stuck in the baggage system.
• When you collect your baggage, make sure it is yours.
• If you are travelling to/from the United States, the American authorities recommend not locking checked-in baggage, in case security staff needs to open it to check it.
• Some items should not be carried on planes because of the danger they pose from changes in temperature and pressure. Check the list of Hazardous items and merchandise
• Remember that you cannot carry sharp objects in your hand luggage, such as scissors, nail files or penknives or any other objects which might be confiscated at the security checks. On flights to/from/via the USA, cigarette lighters may not be carried in your hand luggage.
• Make sure that you carry your medicines, important documents, valuable articles or cash in your hand luggage and not in the baggage for checking in. You will not have access to hold baggage during the flight .

• Take with you photocopies of your documents (passport, ID card, travellers' cheques, credit cards, itinerary, plane tickets and contact details abroad) and leave another set with someone in case of emergency.
• If you are going to the United States , make sure you have the address and zip code of the place you are staying, which is compulsory if you are to be allowed into the country. Further information
• Check the health tips for when you are on board the plane.
  • Carry the medicines you normally take in your hand luggage and make sure that you have sufficient for the duration of the flight (remember: you may not carry needles in your hand luggage without a certificate from your doctor indicating that you need them).
  • Avoid sitting for long periods. Whenever you can, get up and walk about the plane, stretching legs and arms every so often. It is a good idea not to leave hand luggage where it can get in the way of your legs and to wear loose clothing.
  • Eat light meals and drink plenty of water. The relative humidity of the cabin is lower than usual, and this may cause some dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and tea.
  • Make sure you get enough sleep. Help your body to deal with trips to different time zones by taking every chance you get to sleep during the flight. Any opportunity to snooze is good. And don't forget to take out contact lenses before you sleep.
• Check the health advice and regulations for international travellers offered by the Ministry for Health and Consumer Affairs
• Use the online services we offer, such as check-in online and print out your boarding card there. Check out the special services we offer at the airport. With our e-ticket everything is much simpler.

Check departure and arrival times for our flights and for flights with companies who are members of the oneworld alliance.

At the airport:

Given the increased security measures at airports, waiting times can be longer. Bear in mind that you need to have enough time to get through the security checks and reach the gate for boarding your flight.

Leave yourself plenty of time.

It is preferable to get to the airport well in advance of your flight, particularly during holiday times.

• Check the minimum times for checking in
• See the minimum times required in the T4 Terminal at Madrid-Barajas.
• You need to leave even more time if:
  • You are travelling with small children, babies or disabled persons.
  • You need to do anything else prior to checking in for your flight or before the flight takes off (protect your luggage, pay excess baggage, carry large items of luggage, take pets, take out money or change currency).
• You will save time if you:
  • Use our check-in online service or if you go directly to the check-in desks at the airport
• Make sure that your personal details are correct and complete:

  • Check that you have a current passport and all the visas you require . The authorities in Spain and other countries ask to see your documents at several points in the airport , such as, for example, the boarding gates and the various security checks.

    Remember that to travel to certain countries you will need to have your documents , your visa and/or a closed return ticket all in order. If you fail to present these documents, you may be refused permission to fly.

• Be prepared for security checks:

  • Electronic objects (laptop computers and mobile phones) must go through security checks.

    Remember that you must take your laptop computer out of its case so that they can go through the X-ray machines separately.

  • Security staff will check your hand baggage using X-ray equipment. These are absolutely safe and will not harm photographic equipment.
  • You may lock your luggage, unless you are travelling from the USA.
  • Keep your ticket, boarding card and ID documents handy.
    Do not carry packages with unidentified contents for other people. If anyone asks you to do so, please contact the local police or customs staff immediately.
  • Use shoes that you can slip on and off easily.
  • Do not wear much jewellery or other metal objects and, before going through the metal detector, take off all metal objects to make checking them easier.
• Make the most of your time at the airport:
  • If you are travelling in Business Plus class, spend some time in our VIP lounges,, where you will find a relaxing atmosphere which will reduce stress, snacks and drinks to keep energy levels up and phone, fax and e-mail services to enable you to stay in touch with colleagues and your loved ones.
  • Make sure you leave plenty of time to reach the boarding gate, because flights close some time before actual take-off
• Connecting flights

  • If you need to connect with another flight, your baggage will usually be sent on to your final destination. In some cases, you will need to identify or claim your baggage for security reasons or because the local customs in the connecting airport require it.

    Our staff will warn you about this.