Cibeles lounge, Madrid Barajas: The job is done

After a short flight from London Gatwick, I find myself with an international connection at Madrid Barajas, in the non-Schengen zone, terminal 1.

Arrival from the non-Schengen zone at Terminal 1

Upcoming flights are indicated on the FIDS

The security checkpoint isn’t even staffed, and I’d have to wait a good 20 minutes with other travellers before I could get through.

On my way to the departure lounge for my next flight

As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:

#	Type	Review
1	Diary	Travel Diary – Mexico
2	Flight	Air Europa Business, London Gatwick to Madrid Barajas, Boeing 737-800
3	Lounge	Cibeles Lounge, Madrid Barajas
4	Flight	Aeromexico Business, Madrid Barajas to Mexico Adolfo Suarez, Boeing 787-9
5	Lounge	Aeromexico Premier, Mexico
6	Flight	Aeromexico Business, Mexico Adolfo Suarez to Cancun International, Boeing 787-9
7	Hotel	JW Marriott Cancun
8	Lounge	The Lounge, Cancun T4
9	Flight	Aeromexico Business, Cancun International to Mexico Adolfo Suarez, Airbus A320
10	Flight	Aeromexico Business, Mexico Adolfo Suarez to Madrid Barajas, Boeing 787-9
11	Flight	Air Europa Business, Madrid Barajas to London Gatwick, Boeing 737-800

Today’s itinerary

Location

The lounge is located in Terminal 1, on the mezzanine level of the boarding lounges. Stairs, escalators and elevators allow access. Please note that the lounge operates with a reduced capacity, so there may be a bit of a wait to get in (this won’t be the case for me, but when I get out I’ll see a few passengers waiting.

The lounge also has reduced opening hours at the moment: it closes at 11pm (it normally operates 24 hours a day).

The welcome is very courteous and after checking my documents, I’m invited into the lounge. Please note that this lounge is also accessible to Priority Pass cardholders.

Lounge design

The design of the lounge is very attractive. The tones are contemporary and quite similar to other recent Aena lounges available in Spain, such as T4’s Plaza Mayor in Madrid or Barcelona’s Pau Casals lounge.

A large work area is available right from the entrance

Spacious desks and easy to plug use sockets.

There are plenty of spaces available: desks for working, plenty of armchairs for relaxing, tables for dining and even an enclosed area for meetings.

The relaxation area is spacious, but will fill up quickly despite the social distancing measures.

The views over the tarmac are unobstructed

I’ll choose a lounge area for the duration of my stay at the show.

A large meeting room is available (I don’t know if it’s bookable).

There are only a few flights departing tonight

Catering

The catering offer is very comprehensive, but I won’t be able to take many photos, as the buffets are still not self-service, but served by lounge staff.