Madrid Barajas Airport

Previous comments I've posted about long delays at T4's baggage reclaim unfortunately still hold true; in fact if my most recent experience is anything to go by they've actually got worse. Many of the catering outlets keep odd hours and some don't accept credit/debit cards. But the bottlenecks that were common at passport control seem to have smoothed out and the signing has been improved. Procedures at security and customs continue to be highly professional and efficient and the staff courteous. Although the terminal and its satellite are huge lots of escalators mechanical walkways and the connecting underground train reduce distances and walking time. Furthermore all the terminals at Barajas are amongst the cleanest and best maintained that I've encountered anywhere in the world.

It´s probably a 5 star airport for it's ability to whisk you into town in 20 minutes with the very convenient metro and if shops are your thing head to terminals 3 and 4 post-security but overall I´ll rate it 2 stars for it´s "designated smoking areas". They are almost completely open not ventilated properly and you can smell smoke almost everywhere in the terminals. Announcements on the PA system ask smokers to use them to - get this - create a more pleasing environment!! Please join the 21st century and end smoking at Barajas airport or at least make smokers go to a sealed off area.