San José (Alajuela) to Madrid (SJO–MAD) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
SJO–MAD is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Iberia and Iberojet lead the route. The flight covers 5,282 miles in approximately 10h 40m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IB Iberia Also: BA | 7 | 332 | 10h40 | – | Oneworld | BA |
| E9 Iberojet | 3 | 339 | 10h15 | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
SJO: CST · MAD: CEST
When it's 6:00 PM in San José (Alajuela), it's 2:00 AM (next day) in Madrid.
Metro Line 8 from T1/T2/T3 to Nuevos Ministerios takes 12–15 minutes (€6 with airport supplement). T4 travelers take the free inter-terminal shuttle to T2 first. Cercanías C-1 from T4 to Atocha (€2.60, 25 min) is cheaper. Taxis to the city centre have a €30 fixed tariff.
Rental car agencies are at T4. Express Aeropuerto buses run 24 hours to Avenida de América (€5, 25–40 min). Ride-hail apps (Cabify, Uber) typically cost €25–40 depending on destination.
Hot semi-arid climate at 600m altitude. Summers are hot and dry (30–38°C) with almost no rain and very low humidity. Heat rarely disrupts flights but ground crews work in extreme heat. Winters are cold for a southern European capital (1–9°C) with occasional snow. MAD handles light snow well but heavy falls can close runways.
Spring and autumn are pleasant (12–20°C) and offer the most stable weather. Dust storms from the Sahara occasionally reduce visibility in spring. No fog risk comparable to northern European airports.
SJO–MAD Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SJO to MAD
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) are connected by nonstop service from Iberia and Iberojet. With 17 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
SJO to MAD Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SJO to MAD is about 10 hours 40 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 5,282 miles (8,499 km). There are approximately 17 weekly flights outbound and 24 return, totaling 41 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Tocumen, Jose Maria Córdova and Cancún. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.