After an overnight flight from Chicago, I arrived in Madrid with a few hours before my connecting flight to Jerez, Spain. My original itinerary had me flying economy on both flights, and I assumed I’d simply spend the morning waiting near my departure gate.
Instead, I found a simple way to turn my layover into a more relaxing experience.
I upgraded the much shorter flight from Madrid to Jerez to business class. That single change gave me access to Iberia’s Dalí Premium Lounge in Terminal 4 and made the time between flights far more enjoyable.
If you’re connecting through Madrid, here’s how it worked for me.
Understanding Iberia lounge access.
Like many travelers, I initially assumed lounge access would depend on the cabin I flew from Chicago.
On my itinerary, that wasn’t the case.
My flight arrived in Madrid shortly after 7:30 a.m. After clearing passport control, making my way to Terminal 4 and completing the necessary security screening for my connecting flight, I still had time before boarding for Jerez.
Because my original connecting flight was booked in economy, I wasn’t eligible to use Iberia’s VIP Lounge. With a little time to spare, I upgraded my Madrid-to-Jerez flight to business class. The upgrade made sense for me because it included access to the Dalí Premium Lounge before my flight.
As always, it’s worth confirming Iberia’s current lounge access policies before you travel, since eligibility requirements can change.
A relaxing way to spend the morning.
After an overnight flight, I wasn’t looking for luxury. I simply wanted a quiet place to relax before continuing my trip.
Musicians waiting at their gate in Barajas Airport. © Rob Hard 2026
Located in Terminal 4, Iberia’s Dalí Premium Lounge serves travelers departing on flights within Spain and to many destinations across Europe. The lounge offers a variety of seating areas, complimentary food and beverages (in two separate sections within the lounge), Wi-Fi, showers, workspaces and spaces for travelers looking to recharge before departure.
I settled into one of the comfortable chairs with a glass of pineapple juice and a few light snacks. It felt good to catch up on the news, scroll through my phone and simply enjoy not having to think about boarding for a while.
Toward the end of my time in the lounge, I heard voices singing in the distance. Curious, I walked over to see what was happening. Because the Dalí Lounge overlooks parts of Terminal 4, the sound carried into the seating area. A group of passengers waiting near their gate had broken into song from their seats. It wasn’t planned entertainment—just one of those unexpected moments that made me smile and reminded me I was in Spain.
Before heading to my gate, I grabbed a couple of complimentary bottles of water to slip into my backpack. They turned out to be useful later that afternoon after I checked into my hotel.
Was the upgrade worth it?
For me, absolutely.
The business class upgrade wasn’t really about the short flight from Madrid to Jerez. It was about making better use of my layover.
Instead of spending the morning searching for a seat near the gate, I enjoyed a quiet place to relax, had a light breakfast, caught up on the news, recharged both myself and my phone, and boarded my connecting flight feeling refreshed.
Sometimes the smartest upgrade isn’t the longest flight. Sometimes it’s the one that improves your entire travel day.
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Good to know
My business class upgrade wasn’t the only way to access Iberia’s VIP Lounge. Travelers with qualifying elite status in Iberia Club or another oneworld frequent flyer program may also be eligible. In general, travelers with oneworld Sapphire or oneworld Emerald status can access Iberia’s VIP lounges when traveling on a qualifying oneworld itinerary. Because airline policies and lounge access rules can change, always confirm your eligibility before you travel.
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