I’m thinking about taking the inaugural IB A350 flight on the 20th July MAD-LHR. It’s only a thought at the moment, nothing is set in stone.
I wouldn’t be able to make it any more than a day trip due to work commitments. I’m also looking to make the trip as cheap as possible.
I’ve found a flight to Madrid, but honestly I’m not sure it would give me enough time to get to the flight back to Heathrow especially as they will be booked as separate tickets.
Norwegian DY6051 departs Gatwick 10:05 arrives Madrid 13:30.
Iberia 3166 departs Madrid 15:55 arrived Heathrow 17:20.
I am also looking at this but not inaugural. There are always risks but you will be fine on this schedule. Will require an external bus transfer from T2 > T4 which I've done and does work well. If/when the DY arrives on time you would be in T4 by about 1415 latest I would say. As long as the DY flight is on time you will be fine.
There is always a risk with these flying for fun to get a certain aircraft (I have done a lot of them) and have been dissapointed on a few as well = BA 787-9 LHR>MAD in J changed to 767. UX 787 MAD>BCN changed to 737. LA 787 MAD>FRA delayed 7 hours and they put me on an LH A320.
There is always the risk that IB A350 will get pulled for whatever reason but should still be the usual A346 / A330.
Dont want to put anyone off and would always tell anyone to go for it ! I will certainly be booking the IB A350 myself.
It is ok but allows no time for delays. Personally I would prefer 3 hours between flights but that is not to say you wont easily make it. A one hour delay and it starts to cause problems.
Thanks for the replies. I’d be most worried about being stuck in MAD and having to either pay for a hotel or a same day flight, both of which will be expensive! I’m thinking it may be worth booking a backup flight home just in case, I can get an easyJet flight back to Gatwick for departure at 21:50 for just £35! At worst, I’ve then only lost out on £35.