General airport information

When to get to the airport. Steps to follow at the security filter and boarding. Enjoy the VIP services we offer at the airport.

How early should I arrive at the airport on the day of my flight?

We recommend arriving at the airport at least 2 hours before the departure of the flight so that you have enough time to check in, drop off your baggage, go through the passport (as appropriate) and security controls, and reach the boarding gate.
The flight cut-off time is the deadline for getting your boarding pass and checking in your baggage.

The cut-off time for our flights is usually 45 minutes before the scheduled time of departure for check-in and 20 minutes for boarding.
For security reasons, this cut-off time may be longer at certain airports in our network or depending on the destination.

Checking-in baggage:
At Madrid airport you can check in your baggage up to 24 hours in advance of the departure of your flight.
For all other flights, check-in opens as follows:

  • Long-haul: 4 hours before the scheduled time of departure.

  • Short and medium-haul: 2 hours before the scheduled time of departure.

 

Going through security at the airport

You will need to scan your boarding pass or show to it to the airport staff to pass through security control and enter the boarding area.
Follow these instructions to speed up the process:

  • Remove your jacket and/or overcoat, place it in the tray with all your metal objects (belt, coins, keys, etc.) and then go through the metal detector arch. At many airports it is also necessary to take your shoes off and put them through the X-ray scanner.

  • Liquids (max. 1 litre in 100ml containers) must be placed in a clear bag to go through the scanner separately from your other luggage. You will also need another tray for your laptop and any other large electrical and/or electronic device, all without the case.

  • If you have any medical implants (pacemaker, cochlear implant, etc.) or devices such as metallic prostheses, you must tell the security staff before you go through the arch.

VIP services at the airport

Discover the services we offer at the airport to all our customers travelling in Business class or according to the Iberia Plus card level:

  • VIP car parks: collection, parking and delivery of private vehicles at Madrid and Barcelona airports

  • Separate check-in desks: Check in your luggage as a Business, Iberia Plus Plata, Oro, Infinita or Singular customer at a separate desk from all the other passengers, available at all the airports in our network

  • Fast track through the security control: we guarantee minimum waiting time at airport security control when you use the Fast Track or Fast Lane service.

  • Priority boarding for our Business customers and members of Iberia Plus Plata and above.

  • VIP Lounges: a place to rest and regain your strength, or to carry on working and hold meetings. Check the access policy for our customers, guests and exceptions at certain airports.

    Find your VIP Lounge at the airports you will pass through during your trip.

What is the boarding procedure?

The we assign groups is designed to make boarding faster and more convenient and shorten waiting times at the boarding gate.
When boarding starts, we call families with babies and customers who require assistance to board the plane first. Immediately after that, we call passengers in the following order:

  • Priority boarding Group 1: members of Iberia Plus Infinita, Platino and Oro, Iberia Singular, oneworld Emerald and Sapphire, and Business class.

  • Priority boarding Group 2: members of Iberia Plus Plata, oneworld Ruby, Premium Economy, Air Shuttle, customers with the Comfort fare and customers who have booked priority boarding.

  • Boarding Group 3: customers travelling in Economy with Optima and Flexible fares.

  • Boarding Group 4: all other customers.

Biometric boarding using facial recognition

Due to some improvement works of Aena in the Spanish airport network, the biometric or facial recognition system is temporarily unavailable. In the meantime, you will be able to access the usual security and boarding controls by showing the agents your boarding pass and ID card.

What is TSA PreCheck?

The TSA PreCheck (only available in English) is a service offered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that allows authorised passengers to move quickly through security screening at US airports.
As a member of the programme, you won't have to remove your shoes, belt or jacket, or show your electronic devices and liquids at security control. To participate, you must be a US citizen or resident, complete an application process, pay the appropriate fee and undergo a background check. The permit is valid for five years and facilitates a smoother and more comfortable travel experience.
Since this is not a service provided by Iberia, it is important that you correctly add the KTN (Known Traveller Number) you have received when you make your booking. The number will appear on your ticket once Iberia has generated the booking.
To avoid errors, make sure that the name on your booking matches the name on your ID and also the name you used to enrol for TSA PreCheck.

Check TSA PreCheck on our page.

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