{
  "response": {
    "Key": "MAD-IAD",
    "orig": {
      "code": "MAD",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Madrid",
      "fullCity": "Madrid, Spain",
      "airport": "Adolfo Suárez Barajas Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "IAD",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Washington",
      "fullCity": "Washington, United States",
      "airport": "Washington Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Madrid to Washington?",
        "answer": "The flight from Madrid to Washington is about 3,810 miles and typically takes 9 hours 40 minutes. Flying back to Madrid is faster at about 7 hours 50 minutes, a difference of almost two hours due to the jet stream.",
        "methodology": "Flight times and distances come 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). The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time across all carriers on the route, computed the same way in both directions so the difference reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in method. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports, so the actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Madrid to Washington?",
        "answer": "Yes, Iberia and United both fly non‑stop from Madrid to Washington Dulles daily. Iberia operates two daily departures (midday) while United has one (late morning), giving a combined 17 weekly non‑stop flights. The flight takes roughly 9½ hours eastbound and about 7¾ hours on the return.",
        "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 Washington?",
        "answer": "From Washington Dulles (IAD), the Silver Line Metrorail connects to downtown Washington, D.C., via a $5 express bus to Wiehle-Reston East station, with trains running frequently except overnight. Taxis are available 24/7 from Washington Flyer at the arrivals level, while ride-share services like Uber and Lyft can be arranged through their apps. Shared van services such as SuperShuttle and Supreme Shuttle also operate from the same area, and rental cars are available on-site. The Metrorail is the most used option for its cost and reliability, while a taxi or ride-share is typically fastest, taking about 35–50 minutes to the city center.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://flydulles.com/flight-schedule-dulles-international-airport-iad",
            "title": "flydulles.com - Flight Schedule - Dulles International Airport (IAD)",
            "time_published": "2022-03-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://parking.flydulles.com/economy-parking",
            "title": "Dulles International Airport Parking | Economy Parking",
            "time_published": "2026-02-06T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.mwaa.com/ipw-2017-archived",
            "title": "IPW 2017 - Archived",
            "time_published": "2021-02-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.mwaa.com/policefireems/fire-ems/fire-ems-washington-dulles-international-airport",
            "title": "mwaa.com - Fire & EMS at Washington Dulles International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://www.mwaa.com/themes/custom/mwaa_barrio/favicon.ico",
            "time_published": "2023-09-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulles%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "Dulles International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-30T14:07:38Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Madrid to Washington?",
        "answer": "The cheapest time to fly from Madrid to Washington is late September, when average fares bottom out around $370. September and October are the cheapest months overall, averaging $381 and $388 respectively, while late December is the most expensive stretch at about $520. December also ranks as the priciest month on average at $490, followed by July at $472.",
        "methodology": "Seasonal fares come from Priceline's own air booking-summary archive, analysed in-house and refreshed monthly. For each day of the year we take a representative round-trip fare, a blend of the 25th-percentile and average ticket price over the route's bookings, and smooth the series into a seasonal curve; the half-month low and high and the monthly figures quoted here are averages of that curve. Thin and international routes borrow their seasonal shape from the nearest busy routes, with the price level anchored to the route's own bookings.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "seasonal_prices"
        ]
      },
      "q5": {
        "question": "How far in advance should I book tickets from Madrid to Washington?",
        "answer": "Book Madrid to Washington (Dulles) about 4-7 weeks before departure for the best fares — average $351, with the single cheapest day 30 days out. Avoid booking more than 5 months ahead, when prices peak around $493. For summer and holiday travel, add 2-3 weeks to that window, since peak-season demand pushes the sweet spot earlier.",
        "methodology": "Booking-window guidance comes from the same monthly in-house analysis of Priceline's own air booking-summary archive. We aggregate the route's bookings by how many days before departure they were made, from about 180 days out to the day of travel, smooth the curve, and highlight the stretch of lead times with the lowest average fare. Thin and international routes borrow the curve shape from the nearest busy routes, anchored to the route's own price level. It reflects current fares and is refreshed monthly.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "booking_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Madrid to Washington?",
        "answer": "No overnight (red-eye) flights operate from Madrid to Washington Dulles — neither nonstop nor with a connecting itinerary whose long leg is a red-eye.",
        "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 Washington?",
        "answer": "Nonstop flights from Madrid to Washington Dulles are operated by Iberia and United, with Iberia offering 10 weekly flights and United 7, both running daily. Typical median fares are around $1,075 on Iberia and $777 on United.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies come 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 typical fare is shown for a carrier, it is the median of 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 Washington?",
        "answer": "Common layover cities between Madrid and Washington include Lisbon, London, Dublin, and New York. Lisbon offers efficient connections and is a growing hub for transatlantic routes. London provides extensive onward links and multiple airport options. Dublin allows US pre-clearance, saving time on arrival. New York serves as a major gateway with frequent flights to Washington."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to Washington?",
        "answer": "April to June and September to October offer pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists than summer."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Madrid to Washington?",
        "answer": "Bring a passport valid for your stay, an ESTA or U.S. visa, proof of onward travel, a payment method for bags, and any vaccination certificates currently required."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in Washington?",
        "answer": "Washington Dulles is the primary international gateway, located 26 miles west of downtown, and is a major United hub with Star Alliance connections. Ronald Reagan Washington National is just across the Potomac from central DC, ideal for domestic flights and closer to attractions. Baltimore/Washington International serves as a low‑cost and Southwest base about 32 miles north."
      },
      "q14": {
        "question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at Washington airport?",
        "answer": "Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) has a Sleepbox Lounge airside with 16 sound-proof rooms for rest, but no traditional on-site hotel. The Washington Dulles Airport Marriott is located on airport grounds and is connected by a free shuttle that runs every 15 minutes. Several other nearby hotels also offer shuttle service.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://sleepinginairports.net/guides/washington-dulles-airport-guide.htm",
            "title": "Washington Dulles Airport Guide (IAD) - 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": "2018-08-08T21:11:21Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/sleep-guide/sleeping-in-washington-dulles-airport.htm",
            "title": "Sleeping in Washington Dulles Airport",
            "time_published": "2024-09-12T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/iadap-washington-dulles-airport-marriott/overview/?scid=d2406702-e8ea-4b45-bb9b-69",
            "title": "Hotel near IAD Airport | Washington Dulles Airport Marriott",
            "time_published": "2025-02-19T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/iadap-washington-dulles-airport-marriott/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0",
            "title": "Hotel near IAD Airport | Washington Dulles Airport Marriott",
            "time_published": "2024-10-11T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.flydulles.com/",
            "title": "Official Website of Washington Dulles International Airport - IAD",
            "favicon": "https://www.flydulles.com/themes/custom/mwaa_barrio/favicon.ico",
            "time_published": "2026-07-17T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airportsdata.net/airport-IAD-accommodation/",
            "title": "Sleeping at Dulles airport - Washington D.C.",
            "time_published": "2025-12-01T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Madrid to Washington?",
        "answer": "The nonstop Madrid–Washington Dulles route is operated by Iberia and United, with the most common aircraft being the Airbus A330-200 (Iberia) and the Boeing 767-400 (United). Iberia also occasionally deploys an A330 or an A321-200 Neo on this route. On days when a connection is chosen, the long-haul leg most often uses a Boeing 777-200 via Charlotte (American) or a Boeing 777 via London Heathrow (British Airways), though the exact aircraft can vary by day and airline. Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available on these transatlantic flights.",
        "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"
        ]
      },
      "q18": {
        "question": "Which airline alliances serve flights from Madrid to Washington?",
        "answer": "The nonstop carriers on MAD→IAD are Iberia (IB) and United (UA). Iberia is a member of oneworld, and United is a member of Star Alliance; no SkyTeam or unaligned carrier flies the route nonstop. Connecting itineraries may bring in other alliances, but the direct service is exclusively oneworld and Star Alliance.",
        "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"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Madrid?",
        "answer": "At Madrid-Barajas Airport, lounge options vary by terminal: Terminal 1 has Sala VIP Cibeles (accessible 24/7 via Priority Pass, day pass, or business class), Terminal 2 offers Sala VIP Puerta De Alcala, and Terminal 3 features Sala VIP Puerta Del Sol (open 05:00–19:00). In Terminal 4, you'll find Sala VIP Plaza Mayor and The Hub Lounge Aerotel (both typically 05:00–22:00), while the non-Schengen Satellite Terminal 4S houses the 24-hour Neptuno Lounge—note you must hold a boarding pass for Satellite T4 to access it. Most lounges accept Priority Pass, lounge membership programs, or day passes, and provide complimentary snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi; Neptuno also offers sleep pods for an extra charge.",
        "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"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Madrid to Washington?",
        "answer": "Baggage rules from Madrid to Washington depend on the airline and fare type. Basic economy may not include a checked bag, while standard economy typically permits one checked bag and a carry-on. Premium cabins offer more generous allowances."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Madrid to Washington?",
        "answer": "Flights from Madrid to Washington typically offer Economy, Premium Economy, and lie-flat Business class; First class is not commonly available."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies depend on the airline and fare class; fully flexible and business‑class tickets often allow same‑day changes or standby, while discounted economy fares rarely do."
      }
    }
  }
}