From 30 September, passengers transiting Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez Barajas Airport can rent private tele-working pods in Terminal 4 after Catalan start-up Pôdo won Aena’s first concession for on-demand workspace. Three cabins—two individual and one group—offer secure Wi-Fi, ventilation and automatic door locks; access and payment are handled through the Pôdo app in 30-minute blocks. With Barajas handling 68.2 million passengers last year, Aena sees flexible workspace as a value-added service for business travellers facing longer dwell times due to strikes or border checks. The pods complement existing VIP lounges but require no membership, making them attractive for occasional users and remote-first teams. Pôdo already operates in Spanish universities and shopping centres; the airport deal accelerates its push into high-mobility hubs. Pricing starts at €9 for a half-hour slot—cheaper than day-lounge access—and includes USB-C charging and sound insulation suitable for confidential video calls. Companies could incorporate pod reservations into corporate booking tools, allowing employees to convert layovers into productive sessions while remaining air-side. Aena says it will review utilisation data before expanding the concept to Barcelona, Málaga and Bilbao.
Source: Cinco Días
