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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport

Madrid, Madrid (community) (Spain)

IATA: MAD ICAO: LEMD

Longest Active Runway

14,271 ft

4,350 meters

Field Elevation

1,998 ft

609 m MSL

Runway Inventory

4 active

Lighted / Paved

Coordinates & Class

40.4934°, -3.5722°

LARGE AIRPORT

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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

Ranking Universes Guide →

RunwayFacts Published Dataset

#21 of 650

In curated primary commercial index

Global Commercial Universe

#37 of 7558

Top 0.5% percentile worldwide

National Standing (Spain)

#1 in ES

#2 of 52 in full national registry

vs Large Airport Median

+42.7%

Compared to 10,000 ft baseline

💡 Statistical Statement: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport's longest active runway measures 14,271 ft (4,350 m). Within RunwayFacts' published index of 650 aerodromes, it ranks #21. Across the broader global dataset of 7558 commercial facilities, it ranks #37 worldwide (Top 0.5%) and #1 nationally in Spain.

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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is Spain's flagship aviation hub and Europe's foremost Latin American connection portal. Elevated at over 2,000 ft on the central plateau, MAD manages the combined operational challenges of hot summer temperatures and mountain wave turbulence from the Sierra de Guadarrama. Its quad-runway layout permits continuous simultaneous dual arrivals and departures, processing over 60 million passengers annually.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments

Four active runways configured in two parallel pairs: 18L/36R (11,483 ft) / 18R/36L (11,483 ft) and 14L/32R (11,483 ft) / 14R/32L (13,451 ft / 4,100 m).

Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities

Inaugurated in 1931 at Barajas. Revolutionized in 2006 with the opening of the Richard Rogers-designed Terminal 4 (T4 and T4S), creating Europe's largest terminal surface area.

Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role

Primary European air bridge to Latin America, situated on the high Castilian meseta 175 NM northeast of Valencia (VLC).

Data Nuances & Operational Quirks

Located at an elevation of 2,001 ft (610 m MSL); hot Iberian summer temperatures combined with elevation necessitate Runway 14R/32L's 13,451 ft length for fully laden transatlantic flights.

📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Spain National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards

Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Comparative aviation metrics evaluated against regional and global physical operational criteria.

ICAO Code 4E / 4F Super-Heavy

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Elevation & Atmospheric Density

Lowland / Coastal Basin Aerodrome

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport operates at a surveyed field elevation of 1,998 ft (609 m MSL) in Madrid. At this moderate elevation, standard atmospheric pressure is slightly lower than ISA sea-level, requiring seasonal density altitude adjustments for fully laden aircraft on warm summer departures.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

0 Qualifying Aerodromes in Vicinity

Primary European air bridge to Latin America, situated on the high Castilian meseta 175 NM northeast of Valencia (VLC). The facility operates as an isolated regional aviation anchor with no other major paved commercial aerodromes within 100 NM.

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Fleet Compatibility & Ground Roll

Primary Runway: 14,271 ft (4,350 m)

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport's active flight strips comprise 18R/36L (14,271 ft), 14R/32L (13,084 ft), 14L/32R (11,483 ft), 18L/36R (11,483 ft). With a longest active threshold of 14,271 ft (4,350 m), the aerodrome satisfies unrestricted long-haul takeoff and landing distance requirements for heavy twin-aisle and four-engine widebodies (ICAO Code 4E/4F).

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator	Length (ft / m)	Width (ft / m)	Surface Material	Lighting	Status
18R/36L	14,271 ft (4350m)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
14R/32L	13,084 ft (3988m)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
14L/32R	11,483 ft (3500m)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
18L/36R	11,483 ft (3500m)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active

🛡️ Data Provenance & Verification Metadata

Source Dataset: OurAirports Open Aviation Database

Snapshot Version: 2026-09-01

Dataset Integrity: Cryptographic SHA-256 Checksum Verified & Fail-Closed Schema Inspected

Source Verification: Source-reported registry data

Read Complete Methodology & Verification Protocol → GET /api/airport/mad.json ↗