Condor: Madrid to Mombasa

The carrier: Condor

About

Owned by Thomas Cook, Condor is a massive charter airline operation. Condor connects German airports to southern Europe, with a destination map that extends to Africa, Asia and the Americas. In 1971, Condor was the world's first leisure airline to use a Boeing 747 in its fleet. Note: Many of Condor's flights are essentially charter flights ferrying vacation package holders away or back home.

Upside

Great connections within Europe and beyond. Unlike other airlines, Condor usually allows reservation changes without the nasty fees.

Downside

Many routes are flown infrequently. Old planes.

Baggage

* Carry-on: One item, up to 6 kg, plus laptop.
* Checked: Limits vary according to length of trip, but you’re allowed between 20-30 kg of stuff. Excess baggage will be charged $11 per kg.

* Please visit Condor’s website for more information on its baggage policy.

Seating

You can reserve seats in advance by paying €10 on one-way flights, €20 for returns. You can choose your seats online as soon as you book the flight. And, free seat reservations are always available for small children and the disabled.

Check-in and Ticketing

Online check-in is available for several German airports, excluding flights to the US and Canada.  It is available between 30 hours and 2 hours before departure.  It is available for passengers with and without checked bagged. 

Tip

In the event that you know you'll be lugging around much more than 20-30 kg, book a "baggage allowance package". Fees apply. For example, an extra 5 kilos will cost you anywhere from €23-37 depending on the flight.

Fun Fact

To get your vacation off to a good start, Condor invites you  to have a welcome cocktail – a "heavenly delight". Choose from popular cocktails like vodka bitter lemon, gin tonic, Campari orange and from non-alcoholic beverages.

Departure: Madrid, Spain - Barajas (MAD)

Madrid's Barajas Airport, named after the adjacent town, is one of the busiest in Europe, is the busiest in Spain, and is the main international airport serving Madrid. The airport serves as the gateway to the Iberian Peninsula from Europe, and also acts as an important link between Europe and the Americas. Many low-cost airlines fly in and out of Madrid; among these, easyJet and Vueling fly to the most destinations. In 2006, the airport made news when it opened the beautiful new Terminal 4. Location: Madrid-Barajas Airport is located 12 km (7.5 miles) northeast of the city. Transport: - Rail: There is a metro stop at the Madrid Airport, and it connects to central Madrid for €2. This journey is very quick, taking about 15 minutes. Both mainline and metro line trains run through Madrid Airport. The RENFE and AVE lines do not go directly into the airport but are minutes away by Metro. The Metro connects Madrid-Barajas with the city center at the Nuevos Ministerios station in the middle of Madrid’s financial district. The Barajas line (no. 8) provides connections from the underground stations at terminals 2 and 4 into Madrid’s city center. The metro system also provides links to stations which are part of the Spanish railway network. - Bus: Madrid Airport Buses run from every terminal into the center of Madrid. Although the bus system is slightly cheaper, the Metro may be a more enjoyable option. For more specific information on bus service, consult the Madrid Municipal Transport Website. - Taxi: The airport taxi ranks are located in front of the Arrivals areas of all terminals. It is recommended that travelers do not take unsolicited services from any drivers inside the terminal buildings. The taxis in Madrid are metered so make sure that the taxi driver has started up the taximeter at the start of the journey. Ask for a bill in case you have any complaints. Taxi ride from Madrid Airport to the city center will cost approximately €30-35. Service: If you are in restaurant areas in any of the terminals, wireless access is provided by the airport. Financial facilities include two banks (one of which is open 24-hours), several currency exchanges, ATMs, and a post office. In the airport, there are more than 30 restaurants, cafés and bars and over 100 shops, including duty-free. Other facilities include nurseries in terminals 2 and 4, pharmacies in terminals 1, 2 and 4 and First Aid stations in terminals 2 and 4, a playground, and a chapel.

Arrival: Mombasa, Kenya - Moi Intl (MBA)

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