Madrid to Dulles (MAD–IAD) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
MAD–IAD is served by 5 airlines with nonstop service. Finnair, British Airways and Aer Lingus lead the route. The flight covers 3,806 miles in approximately 8h 45m. Beyond nonstop, 63 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AY Finnair | 7 | A21N | 9h40 | – | Oneworld | – |
| BA British Airways | 7 | 32Q | 9h40 | – | Oneworld | – |
| EI Aer Lingus | 7 | 32Q | 9h10 | – | – | – |
| IB Iberia | 7 | A21N | 9h40 | – | Oneworld | – |
| UA United Airlines | 7 | 764 | 8h45 | – | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
MAD: CET · IAD: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Madrid, it's 1:00 PM in Dulles.
Spain is part of the US Visa Waiver Program. Spanish passport holders can enter the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days with an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before departure. The fee is USD 21. The ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It covers multiple entries.
Your passport must be machine-readable and, for VWP travel, must be an ePassport (the kind with the chip symbol on the cover). Spanish passports issued after 2006 meet this requirement. The 90-day ESTA stay cannot be extended and cannot be changed to another visa status from inside the US. If you need more than 90 days, apply for a B-1/B-2 visa at the US Embassy in Madrid.
US border officers have wide discretion. Have your return flight, hotel address, and a general itinerary ready. ESTA approval does not guarantee entry. The CBP officer makes the final decision at the port of entry. Global Entry (USD 100, 5-year membership) speeds up arrivals significantly at US airports if you travel frequently.
Metro Line 8 runs from Nuevos Ministerios (central Madrid) to T1/T2/T3 in 12–15 minutes (€6, including the airport supplement). T4 requires an additional free shuttle from T2; add 10 minutes. The Cercanías commuter train (Line C-1) reaches T4 from Atocha station in 25 minutes (€2.60, no supplement).Taxis have a fixed fare of €30 from central Madrid zones. The ride is typically 20–35 minutes depending on traffic. Avenida de América bus hub serves several airport bus routes (€5).
Silver Line Metro runs from Washington Dulles Airport station to Metro Center in about 65 minutes (~$7). The route bypasses I-66 and I-495 congestion entirely. Washington Flyer coach also runs to Wiehle-Reston East station ($6, 15 min) for Metro connection.Taxis and ride-shares to downtown DC cost $55–80 and take 35–55 minutes depending on traffic. Car rental facilities are on-site. Dulles is 27 miles west of the Capitol; it is farther than either DCA or BWI from central DC.
Humid continental climate. Summers are hot and muggy (30–36°C) with frequent afternoon thunderstorms that cause delays June through August. Winters bring cold temperatures (−3 to 5°C) with snow and ice. The Virginia suburbs accumulate more snow than downtown DC, and ice storms are the primary disruption risk.
Dulles sits at higher elevation in Virginia's piedmont and sees more winter precipitation than DCA. Spring and fall are variable. Snowfall is possible into April. Thunderstorms begin from April through May.
MAD–IAD Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from MAD to IAD
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) are connected by nonstop service from Finnair, British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and United Airlines. With 35 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
MAD to IAD Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from MAD to IAD ranges from 8 hours 45 minutes to 9 hours 40 minutes. The route covers a distance of 3,806 miles (6,125 km). There are approximately 35 weekly flights outbound and 35 return, totaling 70 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
63 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 7 hours via NAS. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.