Madrid to Los Angeles (MAD–LAX) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
MAD–LAX is served by 4 airlines with nonstop service. Aer Lingus, Iberia and Finnair lead the route. The flight covers 5,832 miles in approximately 12h 45m. Beyond nonstop, 66 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EI Aer Lingus | 7 | 332 | 12h45 | – | – | – |
| IB Iberia | 7 | 332 | 12h45 | – | Oneworld | – |
| AY Finnair | 5 | 332 | 12h45 | – | Oneworld | – |
| BA British Airways | 5 | 332 | 12h45 | – | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
MAD: CET · LAX: PDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Madrid, it's 10:00 AM in Los Angeles.
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).
LAX has no direct rail link to downtown. The closest option is the free LAX Shuttle G to the Metro C Line station at Aviation/Century Blvd (fare $1.75 to Union Station, 40–50 min). Taxis use a meter; expect $35–55 to downtown and $30–45 to Santa Monica. Ride-shares cost $20–45 depending on destination and surge pricing.Rental car facilities are a short shuttle ride from terminals. FlyAway buses run to Union Station, Van Nuys, Hollywood, and Westwood ($9.75–11.25). For LAX Connect (the new people mover to Inglewood), check if it has opened at time of travel.
Mediterranean climate. Summers are warm and dry (24–30°C) with low humidity and almost no rain. Winters are mild (10–18°C) with occasional rain from November through March. Fog ("June Gloom") is common from late May through July, blanketing mornings until noon and causing departure delays.
Santa Ana winds occur in fall and spring, sometimes grounding departures briefly. Heat waves in September–October can push temperatures above 38°C inland, though LAX itself stays cooler near the coast.
MAD–LAX Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from MAD to LAX
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are connected by nonstop service from Finnair, British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia. With 24 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
MAD to LAX Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from MAD to LAX ranges from 12 hours 45 minutes. The route covers a distance of 5,832 miles (9,385 km). There are approximately 24 weekly flights outbound and 24 return, totaling 48 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
66 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 14 hours via LTN. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.