Madrid Barajas T4-S: The Long Marathon to a Warm Meal (Sala Neptuno Review)

asaf683
4 days ago
3 min read

If you follow my travels, you know I’ve been frequenting Madrid Barajas (MAD) at least once a month for years. I know this airport like the back of my hand, and yet, I am still baffled every single time by how clunky and slow this place is.

If there were a dictionary definition for "inefficiency," it would be the journey to Terminal 4S. But this time, the chaos started even before we cleared security.

The "Fast" Track Irony

Traveling in Business Class usually grants you the peace of mind of the Fast Track. Not in Madrid. When we arrived at the dedicated lane, the staff casually informed us that the lines there were "too heavy" and redirected us to the regular security lines.

They claimed the regular line would be faster. Well, "fast" in Spanish terms meant spending nearly 45 minutes just to clear security. The lack of planning and sheer inefficiency in this airport is staggering.

A Marathoner's Dream (or Nightmare)

If you think the ordeal ends after security, think again. Getting to T4-S is a full-blown military trek: endless escalators, elevators, an internal train, and enough mileage to make a marathon runner sweat. It’s built on layer upon layer of confusing levels—easily one of the most illogical airport layouts of our generation.

Pro Tip: When they tell you to arrive 3 hours before a flight in Madrid, they aren't joking. It just takes that long. And if you’re planning on doing Tax Free? Prepare to burn at least another hour with grumpy customs staff and lines from hell. This airport perfectly captures the stereotype of a tired, inefficient operation.

But we’re here for the lounge, right? Let’s talk about AENA's Sala Neptuno.

Step One: Playing Hide and Seek

Finding the lounge in Barajas is a mission in itself. It’s tucked away behind a "hidden" elevator in the middle of the frantic duty-free area. Despite the signs, whoever designed the UI/UX here was clearly a trainee on their first day. But once you head up to the second floor, you’ve made it.

The Space: Find Your Corner in the "L"

The lounge is massive, shaped like a capital "L," and offers plenty of seating areas, including some partitioned sections for families or groups.

My Recommendation: Head to the far end, away from the entrance. It’s significantly quieter there.
The Big Plus: The view! The lounge overlooks the runways and gates. For us AvGeeks, this is a massive perk that makes you forget the security chaos for a moment.

However, don't expect a boutique or "premium" feel. No matter what time I visit, it feels like a crowded train station during rush hour. The staff is minimal, doing their best to keep things tidy, but it's far from a luxury experience.

The Culinary Revolution (Spoiler: It’s a Blessing!)

For years, the food at Sala Neptuno was a joke: sad, cold mini-sandwiches sitting in a fridge, some olives, and bags of chips. Not anymore.

The lounge has finally upgraded its catering, and the change is welcome:

Hot & Hearty: You’ll now find warm pastries, pasta dishes, and soups.
Cold Buffet: Quality cold cuts and cheese platters (it is Spain, after all).
Drinks: A wide variety of soft drinks, spirits, and coffee.
Good to know: Kosher refreshments are also available.

For a major hub serving long-haul flights to Latin America and Europe, this upgrade was long overdue. It’s a significant step in the right direction.

Facilities and Service

Beyond the food, not much has changed. The showers are very basic, and the restrooms are almost always occupied and not particularly clean. On the bright side, the reception desk has been reinforced with extra staff to help manage the bottleneck at the entrance.

Scorecard: Sala Neptuno (1-10)

Category	Score
Location (Accessibility from the airport)	5
Space and Layout	8
Seating Availability	6
Food	6 (The biggest improvement!)
Drinks	8
Facilities (Showers/Restrooms)	7
Service	6

The Bottom Line: AENA still has a long way to go before this becomes a true "premium" lounge, but the recent move toward better food shows a positive trend. If you’re stuck on a layover in Madrid, at least now you won’t have to fly on an empty stomach.

What’s your worst "Fast Track" story? Let me know in the comments so we can all feel a little less alone in our travel frustrations!