{"response": {"Key": "MAD-SFO", "orig": {"code": "MAD", "type": "airport", "city": "Madrid", "fullCity": "Madrid, Spain", "airport": "Adolfo Suárez Barajas Airport"}, "dest": {"code": "SFO", "type": "airport", "city": "San Francisco", "fullCity": "San Francisco, California", "airport": "San Francisco Intl Airport"}, "faq": {"q0": {"question": "What is the typical flight duration from Madrid to San Francisco?", "answer": "Madrid to San Francisco is about 5,800 miles. The typical nonstop flight takes 12 hours and 35 minutes, while the return leg is shorter at 11 hours and 25 minutes due to prevailing winds.", "methodology": "Carrier service, flight times and distances for this route come from our flight-schedule database, which draws on published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data, and observed operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We report the days of the week and the departure times each carrier operates. The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time, given both per carrier and across all carriers on the route; where a schedule does not publish an elapsed time, it is derived from the scheduled departure and arrival times converted to UTC. Outbound and return times are computed by the same method, so the difference between them is directly comparable and reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in derivation. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two specific airports named, so an actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer. Where shown, on-time departure and arrival rates and cancellation rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Airline On-Time Performance dataset, which covers U.S. domestic routes only; where a typical fare is shown, it comes from the U.S. DOT Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B), a quarterly 10% sample of tickets sold.", "toolsUsed": ["flight_schedule"]}, "q1": {"question": "Are there any direct flights from Madrid to San Francisco?", "answer": "Iberia flies non‑stop from Madrid to San Francisco three days a week — Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays — with departures around 12:35–12:45 PM and a flight time of about 12 hours 35 minutes. It's the only airline operating the route non‑stop.", "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours. Carrier service, flight times and distances for this route come from our flight-schedule database, which draws on published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data, and observed operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We report the days of the week and the departure times each carrier operates. The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time, given both per carrier and across all carriers on the route; where a schedule does not publish an elapsed time, it is derived from the scheduled departure and arrival times converted to UTC. Outbound and return times are computed by the same method, so the difference between them is directly comparable and reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in derivation. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two specific airports named, so an actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer. Where shown, on-time departure and arrival rates and cancellation rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Airline On-Time Performance dataset, which covers U.S. domestic routes only; where a typical fare is shown, it comes from the U.S. DOT Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B), a quarterly 10% sample of tickets sold.", "toolsUsed": ["route_airlines", "flight_schedule"]}, "q3": {"question": "What are the ground transportation options in San Francisco?", "answer": "San Francisco International Airport offers several ground transportation options to the city center, with BART rapid rail being the fastest and most popular choice, connecting directly from the International Terminal. Ride-share services like Lyft and Uber pick up on Level 5 of the Domestic Garage, while taxis are available at the center islands outside Arrivals. Autonomous Waymo rides are also available for select passengers at the Rental Car Center. Rental cars can be accessed via the AirTrain Blue Line, and many local hotels provide complimentary shuttle service. Overall, BART is the most used and efficient way to reach downtown San Francisco.", "toolsUsed": [], "references": [{"url": "https://flysfo.com/passengers/ground-transportation", "title": "Ground Transportation | San Francisco International Airport", "favicon": "https://flysfo.com/themes/custom/blueskies/favicon.ico", "time_published": "2026-04-08T21:19:40Z"}, {"url": "https://flysfo.com/de/node/10188", "title": "Ground Transportation | San Francisco International Airport", "favicon": "https://flysfo.com/themes/custom/blueskies/favicon.ico", "time_published": "2026-04-08T21:19:40Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SFO", "title": "San Francisco International Airport", "time_published": "2026-04-27T05:13:36Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_International_Airport", "title": "San Francisco International Airport", "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png", "time_published": "2026-07-18T07:52:09Z"}, {"url": "https://www.flysfo.com/pt-br", "title": "Home Page | San Francisco International Airport", "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"}]}, "q4": {"question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Madrid to San Francisco?", "answer": "The cheapest months to fly from Madrid to San Francisco are September, October, and November, with average fares around $733–$758. The most expensive period is late spring into summer, especially June (averaging $1,199), July, and May.", "methodology": "This 'good deal' estimate shows a representative best price for each departure date across roughly a 12-month window (about 3 months back and 9 months forward). It is built from real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, accumulated into a price history for each departure date. Rather than weighting all of that history equally, we apply exponential time decay so recent prices dominate — a price seen yesterday counts almost in full, one from about a month ago roughly a third, and prices from a few months back very little — giving a figure that tracks today's market instead of a stale long-run average. Clear price outliers are removed before any calculation, departure dates with no observations are filled in from nearby dates, and the resulting curve is lightly smoothed so it reads as a clean seasonal trend rather than day-to-day noise. For this route, fares for the requested travel direction were unavailable, so the pattern shown is derived from the reverse direction, which shares the same seasonal demand cycle.", "toolsUsed": ["seasonal_prices"]}, "q5": {"question": "How far in advance should I book tickets from Madrid to San Francisco?", "answer": "On the Madrid to San Francisco route, the best fares are typically found when booking 10 to 13 weeks ahead, with an average price around $835 in that window. Booking around 85 days out can yield the lowest fare (about $832), while waiting until the last minute pushes prices above $1,000.", "methodology": "This booking-window guidance is built from the same real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, re-grouped by how many days before departure each price was seen (from the departure day out to about 180 days ahead) across the route's price history. At each booking lead time we report the 25th-percentile price — the cheaper end of what travelers were quoted, rather than the rock-bottom minimum (which can be a fluke) or the average (which is pulled up by expensive last-minute fares). The buy-or-wait advice then applies a risk premium that grows as departure approaches, since seat availability shrinks and prices become less predictable; using that adjusted curve we flag windows where waiting is likely to save a meaningful amount (at least $20 or 5%) versus windows where booking now is the better call. Isolated single-day recommendations are filtered out, so the advice only reflects a window that holds for several days in a row. For this route, fares for the requested travel direction were unavailable, so the pattern shown is derived from the reverse direction, which shares the same seasonal demand cycle.", "toolsUsed": ["booking_timing"]}, "q6": {"question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Madrid to San Francisco?", "answer": "No overnight (red-eye) flights operate from Madrid to San Francisco — neither nonstop red-eyes nor connecting itineraries whose long leg is a red-eye are scheduled on this route.", "methodology": "Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes — flagging services that depart late at night and arrive the following morning; for connecting itineraries the red-eye is based on the timing of the overnight long-haul leg.", "toolsUsed": ["redeye_flights"]}, "q7": {"question": "Which airlines usually operate this route from Madrid to San Francisco?", "answer": "Iberia operates nonstop flights from Madrid to San Francisco, with 6 weekly departures on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The typical median fare for this nonstop service is around $1,111.", "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.", "toolsUsed": ["route_airlines"]}, "q8": {"question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Madrid and San Francisco?", "answer": "Common layovers include New York, London, Paris and Amsterdam, which keep total travel time competitive. New York offers broad US connections, while London, Paris and Amsterdam provide efficient transfers and visa‑free transit for many passengers."}, "q10": {"question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to San Francisco?", "answer": "September and October deliver San Francisco's warmest, sunniest weather with fewer tourists than summer."}, "q11": {"question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Madrid to San Francisco?", "answer": "Bring a passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay, a valid visa or ESTA authorization, and proof of onward or return travel. A payment method for baggage and any required vaccination certificates, such as COVID-19, may also be needed."}, "q12": {"question": "Which airport should I use in San Francisco?", "answer": "San Francisco International is the main airport, located 13 miles south of downtown. It serves most international and domestic carriers. Oakland is across the bay, a base for Southwest and low-cost airlines with good Bay Area access. San Jose is farther south, useful for Silicon Valley travellers."}, "q13": {"question": "How do I get to Adolfo Suárez Barajas Airport from the city center?", "answer": "From Madrid's city center, the fastest and most popular way to reach Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is by metro (Line 8 from Nuevos Ministerios) or the 24-hour Airport Express bus (from Atocha or Cibeles), both taking about 30–40 minutes for a few euros. Taxis offer a door‑to‑terminal ride in around 20–30 minutes for a flat fare of roughly €30, while ride‑share services like Uber and Cabify are also readily available. Driving and parking at the airport is possible, with several official lots, but it's generally less convenient than public transport unless you need a car upon return.", "toolsUsed": [], "references": [{"url": "https://serviciosvip.aena.es/vip/en/aeropuertos/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas/servicios-asistencia-pasajaros/meet-and-assist", "title": "Assistance services at Madrid Barajas Airport", "time_published": "2026-02-02T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://serviciosvip.aena.es/vip/en/aeropuertos/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas/acceso-prioritario-fast-track", "title": "Preferential access at Adolfo Suarez Airport - Fast Track - Aena VIP Services", "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid%E2%80%93Barajas%20Airport", "title": "Madrid–Barajas Airport", "time_published": "2026-04-23T21:26:07Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolfo_Suárez_Stadium", "title": "Adolfo Suárez Stadium", "time_published": "2026-01-20T00:40:19Z"}, {"url": "http://www.aena.es/en/madrid-barajas-adolfo-suarez/airport-services/shops-and-restaurants/sunglass-hut.html&p=1575047980206&t=t2", "title": "Sunglass Hut | Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport | Aena", "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"}]}, "q14": {"question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at San Francisco airport?", "answer": "San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has the Grand Hyatt at SFO, an on-site hotel directly connected to the terminals via the AirTrain, so no shuttle is required. For nearby options with shuttle service, the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront in Burlingame and The Westin San Francisco Airport in Millbrae both offer complimentary shuttles to and from the terminals. There are no capsule hotels or sleeping pods inside the airport, but shower facilities are available in the International Terminal for freshening up.", "toolsUsed": [], "references": [{"url": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/san-francisco-airport-guide.htm", "title": "San Francisco Airport Guide (SFO) - Sleeping in Airports", "favicon": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/nitropack_static/oBWrHkPujHTPIaVWqdDSDhClXUyrYhhb/assets/images/optimized/rev-b853180/www.sleepinginairports.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cropped-sia-logo-180x180.png", "time_published": "2018-10-02T00:00:42Z"}, {"url": "https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sfobg-san-francisco-airport-marriott-waterfront/overview/?EM=DNM_SANFRANCISCOAIRPORTMARRIOTT.COM", "title": "SFO Airport Hotel | San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront", "time_published": "2025-02-19T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sfowi-the-westin-san-francisco-airport/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0", "title": "The Westin San Francisco Airport (Official Site) - SFO Hotel", "time_published": "2025-02-19T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://www.flysfo.com/passengers/shop-dine-relax?content_type=things_to_do&location=3&sort_by=random", "title": "Shop/Dine/Relax | San Francisco International Airport", "time_published": "2025-10-22T23:13:26Z"}, {"url": "https://www.flysfo.com/passengers/shop-dine-relax?content_type=All&gate_area=All&https://www.flysfo.com/passengers/shop-dine-relax?https://www_flysfo_com/passengers/shop-dine-relax?https://www_flysfo_com/passengers/shop-dine-relax?location=2&location=1659&security=All&service_tags=All&sort_by=random", "title": "Shop/Dine/Relax | San Francisco International Airport", "time_published": "2025-10-22T23:13:26Z"}, {"url": "http://www.flysfo.com/de/node/14691", "title": "Press Releases | San Francisco International Airport", "time_published": "2025-07-09T15:54:20Z"}]}, "q15": {"question": "Are there currency exchange offices, prayer rooms and Wi‑Fi at San Francisco Intl Airport?", "answer": "San Francisco International Airport does offer currency exchange services, prayer rooms, and free Wi‑Fi. Currency exchange is available at multiple locations throughout the terminals, including in the International Terminal near the A and G boarding areas. There is a Reflection Room—functioning as a prayer room—located in the terminals for quiet meditation, and a dedicated prayer room is noted in the services listing. Free Wi‑Fi is provided airport‑wide, accessible in all terminals and public areas.", "toolsUsed": [], "references": [{"url": "https://flysfo.com/passengers/shop-dine-relax", "title": "Shop/Dine/Relax | San Francisco International Airport", "time_published": "2026-03-12T16:15:43Z"}, {"url": "http://www.flysfo.com/welcome-terminal-3", "title": "Welcome to Terminal 3 | San Francisco International Airport", "favicon": "http://www.flysfo.com/themes/custom/blueskies/favicon.ico", "time_published": "2026-05-08T21:34:33Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_International_Airport", "title": "San Francisco International Airport", "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png", "time_published": "2026-07-18T07:52:09Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San%20Francisco%20International%20Airport", "title": "San Francisco International Airport", "time_published": "2026-04-28T21:12:40Z"}, {"url": "https://flysfo.com/passengers/services-amenities", "title": "Services & Amenities | San Francisco International Airport", "favicon": "https://flysfo.com/themes/custom/blueskies/favicon.ico", "time_published": "2026-03-03T22:32:54Z"}]}, "q16": {"question": "Are there accessible services or children's facilities at the Madrid and San Francisco airports?", "answer": "At Madrid-Barajas, travelers with reduced mobility can request a Meet & Assist service with at least 72 hours’ notice, which provides a personal escort through the airport, though specific children’s play areas are not detailed in the available information. San Francisco International offers wheelchair and guided assistance arranged directly through your airline (ideally in advance), along with a Sensory Room in Harvey Milk Terminal 1 designed for neurodivergent travelers and families, featuring a realistic aircraft cabin to help children prepare for their flight. Both airports recommend contacting your airline ahead of time for mobility support, and SFO’s TSA Cares helpline can coordinate security checkpoint assistance with 72 hours’ notice.", "toolsUsed": [], "references": [{"url": "https://serviciosvip.aena.es/vip/en/aeropuertos/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas/servicios-asistencia-pasajaros/meet-and-assist", "title": "Assistance services at Madrid Barajas Airport", "time_published": "2026-02-02T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "http://www.aena.es/en/madrid-barajas-adolfo-suarez/airport-services/shops-and-restaurants/madrid-duty-free.html&t=t2", "title": "Madrid Duty Free | Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport | Aena", "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid%E2%80%93Barajas%20Airport", "title": "Madrid–Barajas Airport", "time_published": "2026-04-23T21:26:07Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/?diff=178292758", "title": "Madrid–Barajas Airport: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia", "time_published": "2007-12-16T14:38:20Z"}, {"url": "http://www.aena.es/en/madrid-barajas-adolfo-suarez/airport-services/shops-and-restaurants/madrid-arrivalshop.html&t=t2", "title": "El Mercado Madrid Duty Free | Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport | Aena", "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://flysfo.com/passengers/services-amenities/accessibility", "title": "Accessibility | San Francisco International Airport", "favicon": "https://flysfo.com/themes/custom/blueskies/favicon.ico", "time_published": "2026-07-15T18:51:14Z"}, {"url": "https://www.flysfo.com/about/contact-sfo", "title": "Contact SFO | San Francisco International Airport", "favicon": "https://www.flysfo.com/themes/custom/blueskies/favicon.ico", "time_published": "2026-04-15T15:55:46Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SFO", "title": "San Francisco International Airport", "time_published": "2026-04-27T05:13:36Z"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_International_Airport", "title": "San Francisco International Airport", "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png", "time_published": "2026-07-18T07:52:09Z"}, {"url": "https://flysfo.com/passengers/services-amenities/accessibility/at-sfo", "title": "At SFO | San Francisco International Airport", "favicon": "https://flysfo.com/themes/custom/blueskies/favicon.ico", "time_published": "2026-05-21T22:27:23Z"}]}, "q17": {"question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Madrid to San Francisco?", "answer": "The nonstop flights from Madrid to San Francisco are operated by Iberia, typically using the Airbus A330-200 (and occasionally the A330). Connecting itineraries introduce a wide mix of long-haul aircraft, most commonly the Airbus A330-300 and A330-900neo, Boeing 777-200, 777-300ER, and 787 variants, as well as the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 747-8I, depending on the connecting hub and airline. The exact aircraft can vary by day and by carrier, but the nonstop segment is consistently an Iberia A330.", "methodology": "Aircraft types are taken from the equipment each operating carrier schedules on this route, drawn from published airline timetables and airline equipment schedules in our flight-schedule database. They describe typical scheduled aircraft and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute equipment swaps.", "toolsUsed": ["route_aircraft"]}, "q20": {"question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Madrid?", "answer": "At Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, several lounges are available across terminals. In Terminal 4S (the non-Schengen satellite where flights to San Francisco typically depart), the Neptuno VIP Lounge operates 24 hours and offers a comfortable space with complimentary snacks and drinks. For Priority Pass members, Amex Platinum cardholders, or those paying at the door, Sala VIP Cibeles in Terminal 1, Sala VIP Puerta De Alcala in Terminal 2, Sala VIP Puerta Del Sol in Terminal 3, and Sala VIP Plaza Mayor in Terminal 4 provide access with similar amenities. The Hub Lounge Aerotel in Terminal 4 also offers a pay-per-use option with sleep pods for longer layovers. Most lounges can be accessed with a business-class ticket, elite status, or a day pass, and feature Wi-Fi, refreshments, and quiet seating areas.", "toolsUsed": [], "references": [{"url": "https://my.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/spain/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas", "title": "Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport MAD Lounges - MAD Airport Guide and lounges.  | Priority Pass", "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/spain/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas", "title": "Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport MAD Lounges - MAD Airport Guide and lounges. | Priority Pass", "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-xb/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/MAD", "title": "American Express Lounges at Madrid Barajas Airport | Amex XB", "time_published": "2026-05-05T00:00:00Z"}, {"url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-au/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/MAD", "title": "American Express Lounges at Madrid Barajas Airport | Amex AU", "favicon": "https://www.americanexpress.com/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"}, {"url": "https://serviciosvip.aena.es/vip/en/aeropuertos/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas/salas-vip/neptuno", "title": "Neptuno VIP Lounge at Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas Airport - Aena VIP Services", "favicon": "https://serviciosvip.aena.es/vip"}]}, "q21": {"question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Madrid to San Francisco?", "answer": "On Madrid to San Francisco flights, Basic Economy often excludes checked bags. Standard economy typically includes one checked bag and a carry-on, while premium cabins allow two checked bags and larger carry-ons."}, "q22": {"question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Madrid to San Francisco?", "answer": "Flights from Madrid to San Francisco commonly feature Economy, Premium Economy, and flat-bed Business class; First class is limited."}, "q23": {"question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?", "answer": "Policies depend on the airline and fare class; flexible and premium cabin tickets often allow same‑day changes or standby, while the cheapest fares typically do not."}}}}