Review: Iberia Business Class Airbus A330 (MIA-MAD)

The WiFi price must have changed very recently then. As on my MAD-ORD flight end of January it was still charged per MB…

Any idea what's going on with AAdvantage redemptions on Iberia? Earlier this week, I tried to book a Iberia J award DFW-MAD with AAdvantage, and the total fees were over $700 like flying BA. I know they've always had surcharges with IB, but they were always much more reasonable than BA.

IB isn't known for it's cleanlyness. But those restrooms looks so disgusting. Fairly, in Europe you can't have worst Carriers then IB and AZ. The only plus point is that usualy they are cheaper than the others but there it ends. I avoid them at any cost.

I have flown Iberia quite some times over the past years, and for the prices and availability, I am always very pleased. Especially the food by Do&Co you get on outbound flights from Madrid, intra-European flights and in the Madrid lounges is excellent! Service is a bit hit/miss, but nothing terrible.

Thanks for the review, and nice to see it looks like the cabin has been deep cleaned, a few reviews over in YouTube recently have not been very favourable with dirty cabins and poor food.

Lucky,
I regularly fly this route, as I am based on Miami and my parents live in Madrid! Iberia over AA any day of the week, and the award availability is always good with AA miles at 57.5k. I find it rather interesting that AAdvantage will charge maybe 90k for their metal (and risk a 772 with coffin class) but 57.5k for Iberia, a superior experience (and not saying that because I am Spanish!)

It's even better on the return flights, as Iberia considers this one their "flagship" routes (up to 3 flights a day) and are departing from their hub (catering above all). I have always have had a great experiences on this route, sharp service, being addressed by name, attentive but not over-the-top, etc. and the private seats (like yours) are also a winner in my book, especially for the Westbound flights.

Finally, the later flight (9 or sometime 11 pm) is known as the "fast service" flight, since they know that people are going to try and get shut-eye as soon as possible. The 4 or 7 pm flights the dinner is more what you would expect in a premium cabin, at least pre-COVID. I'm flying the route twice this year and taking both the 7 and 10/11 pm flight in consecutive months during the summer (wedding season!) and I'll keep an eye out with the service and report back!

P.S. This is one of the reasons I read the blog! I always forget that Iberia's chart is peak and distance-based, so sometimes you end up paying up to 15k points less! Need to log in to my Iberia account more often jaja

This is somewhat random, but you alluded to it in the review: do you know why foreign airlines care how much your carry on weighs (and have absurdly low limits even in premium cabins), while US carriers couldn't care less?

I don’t really understand the star rating system here. I’ve flown Iberia business class, and my experiences are very similar to yours. It’s not bad, but there’s nothing particularly good, either. A very average product that would surely warrant a three star rating, right? If this is four stars, then what is five and how far above five is Qatar or Emirates? Six, seven?

Glad to hear they’ve improved the WiFi. Last month, it was still per MB on an A330. I used up the free voucher in less than ten minutes.

TSA Pre: another option would’ve been booking an AA ticket with TSA Pre and canceling it once inside.

Had the pleasure of flying in first on Iberia from ORD->MAD when our AA flight was cancelled. The food, entertainment and service were excellent, but what wowed me was the flat-reclining seat. It was so long that my long frame would not even reach the end. What a luxury to fully extend.

That line is incredible at Miami. It's usually bad but that is appalling. Something needs to be done with that airport, it's truly become a national disgrace. With that said, Ben is probably too young to remember the lines after 9/11. They were that bad if not worse. I recall LAX and lines that ran outside from one terminal to the next. And at Dulles snaking around the main terminal in two circles. This was after you waited some time to go through checkpoints on the access roads to look in the vehicle dropping you off.

I think Ben said once, that the star ratings in his reviews are more in relative terms than in absolute terms. So prior expectations seem to play a big role. I do believe that Ben could make this concept more clear by putting a short explanatory note under each rating.

I’ve flown this product a number of times out of NYC and think it’s great! I just wish IB flew a nonstop JFK-BCN with their business class product instead of just the low-cost “Level” brand that’s all-coach. Why don’t they? Surely BCN must have as much demand as MAD.

@ Daniel from Finland -- MKLDH's explanation is correct, I will try to add something that makes it clear how I come up with a rating. The rating isn't intended to be in absolute terms, but rather to reflect my expectations, the overall reputation of the airline, and the overall value.

It's the same reason that a three star hotel could get a five star rating for me, and a five star hotel could get a three star rating. It's all about expectations vs. what the experience is actually like.

We've flown IB between MIA and MAD quite a few times. As you say, it's not the best J product out there but it compares favorably with any US carrier. The seats are fine, the food is generally good. IB crew can be a bit disinterested, though they are generally much nicer to my Spanish-speaking husband than me even when I make an effort to speak a little Spanish. My biggest complaint is they often seem to guard the wine like it's their personal supply! And to your point about boarding, in my experience it's always a free-for-all on IB, either in MIA, MAD, or any other station.

In terms of product and convenience for getting to Spain, I definitely think IB is the best option. And despite it's mega size, I'm a big fan of MAD-Barajas.

Agree. I’m seeing the same. Wondering if it’s an error or distance based surcharge is making its way through… dfw to mad > greater distance than mia to mad, but serious nearly $600 more?!

Key Lime Air is a charter/commuter airline based out of Denver- Centennial (KAPA). Denver Air Connection is a part 121 subsidiary of Key Lime Air, operating out of KDEN (and other airports). I am guessing Denver Air Connection participates in precheck.

Curious about this too. Lucky?

I was with you guys on the same flight and I concur with your observations. As a regular IB flyer, I would say this was a slightly above average flight. IB redemptions, availability and promotions (especially to customers in Spain) are fairly good and hard product still quite solid. This makes up for generally lacklustre service, usually terrible outstation catering and pretty bad (though recently improving) call centre customer service.

Ben, if you're a seasoned traveller as you claim you are, how can you not know that CLEAR does not give you expedited security???

@Matt
BCN is served by a lot of foreign airlines as well as local ones, but is primarily a destination or commencing point. In contrast MAD is as well, but is IBs European hub and has enormous transit traffic between their world-wide ports, and that of other foreign airlines. The 'hub and spoke' model is the way they operate, so don't expect too many direct IB flights bypassing MAD!

Wow, that security line. Jeez!

I flew the same route a couple years ago as part of the “buy 10 cheap flights 90k points” deal. So all in, I think it cost me about $600 for 2 tickets after taxes for this route in biz class. So whatever was the experience, I couldn’t complain. So I was surprised when it was slightly above average. Wine very good and fell asleep soundly. All I could ask. The attendAnts were not pro active but that’s ok. While I paid only $300, I would fly IB again in a heart beat.

@ Gene Chan -- It's supposed to give you expedited security to the actual security line, by allowing you to bypass the standard ID check. I was a member for years. What am I not understanding?

@ Thomas -- Interesting. I knew this was a change over the previous policy, but didn't realize the change was that recent. That's good then...

@ Aaron -- I'm working on investigating, but my gut says that it's some sort of a glitch.

@ MRL -- I think it just generally reflects a different culture around bringing bags onto planes. In the US, airlines are definitely more lax with carry-on size and weight, while non-US airlines aren't.

Why is that? I think there's probably a historical reason for that. Maybe it's because US airlines have been charging for checked bags more consistently for so many years, leading to customers progressively taking more and more items onto planes. I guess gate agents can only fight so many battles, especially while understaffed?

It's an interesting question...

Did MAD-JFK just prior to COVID in J, and I have to say it was the worst experience both on the ground and in the air. Their lounge in Madrid is third-world, and ended up going to the gate early. In the air, their flight crew did the bare minimum and asking for a drink was like I had pulled a knife on them - terrible - and they routinely ignored call buttons from other passengers. The only thing going for the flight was the hard product. IAG should either retrain or retrench most of their flight crew, beyond salvageable...

Why is Miami airport so bad? I've never been but I know it's considered to be easily the worst of any major US airport. It's not even a top 10 busiest airport yet it's a clownshow. How is it this bad? Just bad design? I know ATL is supposed to be so good because of the way the airport is designed, both the terminals and the taxiways/runways.

Third world, lets not be overly dramatic now...

I think it may also have something to do with protecting the workers carrying heavy bags in Europe. Then the cheaper airlines saw the money in this and started to sell bags by the kg (like Ryanair).
But I always thought that even in the Americas piece concept a bag in Economy Class can't be more than 23kg / 40lb and in Business/First not more than 32kg / 50lb.

Curious how long we expect the covered food practice to persist? It’s unsightly and wasteful. I get it two years ago when we just weren’t sure how the virus spread. But why are airlines still doing this in 2022? Purely for optics, science notwithstanding?

Good the wifi has been improved. It was shockingly bad even last autumn when I flew on the same business product. Also service was truly terrible, to extent of being comical. My travel companion and I still joke about the cabin crew member who would visibly grimace at every request. The worst part was I think she was the purser!! I have had great service experiences with business on Iberia, but it is very hit and miss.

you mean Cabin Crew?

I think the point here was about weighing carry-on, rather than checked bags.
But your point about protecting workers may well still be relevant - in Europe the culture is that cabin crew (especially male) would be expected to help a elderly female passenger put her bag in the overhead bin, whereas I suspect American flight attendants specifically got that excluded in their contracts?
Interestingly BA's hand carry limit is 23kg, and Easyjet used not to have a limit (it's now 15kg).
Perhaps more likely, the BA and US attitude may date back to when checked bags were included in all fares, and it was cheaper, even quicker, for the airline to have the passenger load their carry-on themselves ("self-loading ancillary luggage"?!) rather than pay airport staff to load into the hold.

BTW 23kg = 50lb, 32kg = 70lb.

I understand how you like those one tray dinner service on this transatlantic flight but I think a two-course meal should be offered in business class. While the one tray dinner service looks better than the current Club World offering by British Airways, it is still sad to offer a "premium economy" meal to your business class passengers. The main course portion can be larger. On the other hand, breakfast looked good and I appreciate a full hot breakfast service being offered.

Thanks for sharing and I look forward reading the rest of the trip report especially the Qatar's experience on the 787-9.

Fair enough. When I write reviews on Trip Advisor, I compare the star rating and price I paid with my expectations and experiences. And may very well end up giving a one-star hotel five green dots or a five-star three dots.

But airlines don’t have a star rating (apart from the Skytrax scam). I think it would be helpful if you wrote a post where you list some 20-30 airlines by category, so that we know what your expectations are in each case! Like a high-end category for Qatar, an average category for Iberia and a low-end category for TAAG etc.

Just looked it up, 27 January.
Plan: Surf 3 hours (100 mb) Price 15 euro.
That 100 mb lasted me 30 minutes haha.
So this is a big improvement.

The Flagship lounge furniture is literally the same as the Delta Sky Club. I hate those lounge chairs as they are too low and the small table isn't big enough to eat off or do work with a laptop. But kudos to American for serving real champagne, unlike Delta.

MIA is horrible for the lines and how slow they move, and the lack of TSA-pre came as a shock to me too. I've found the Iberia staff generally very good on ORD-MAD and MIA-MAD routes, often providing me two glasses of wine if I indicate I don't know which one to have. And generally regular refills without being asked. Though I agree it's not that proactive, and more of the team following a script (e.g. refills during dinner service, but not after). The true window seats are by far the best, giving ou a real sense of privacy, and certainly better for an overnight flight. Agree that the IFE is solid, and the food is also generally good, and even better on flights departing MAD. As for T4 in Madrid, it would be so much better if there was decent signage, particularly when wanting to connect. The Iberia lounge in MAD, and the flagship lounges in ORD and MIA are definitely a plus

It always surprises me how aged and dilapidated the airports in the US appear. A wonderful welcome to the so called superpower.

With expectations set low... they you would indeed be positively impressed. Not a great cabin for sure, so-so service, but at the end I would favour this over any of the US airlines on this route.

Happy to read your review of Iberia after that long, long wait at Miami's security lines - i appreciate your honest reviews; pity the menu was not there as I like collecting those menus. Looking forward to reading about the coming Qatari flights

I flew MAD-SDQ business class and it was absolutely terrible . Cold food and one glass of wine only. Dismissive aircrew , never again. Iberia is definitely one of the worse european services . Worse than American frankly

So not like this guy's Iberia flight? I can't imagine the germaphobe in you handling this well.

https://youtu.be/ViAa74S_hY8

Ben…maybe unrelated.

Got an email from TSA saying I can renew without the process. Is that true???

Also have CLEAR and Global Entry with my Amex Platinum.

Do I need to bother with TSA?

All advice welcome!

Nice review, thanks. On the point about boarding, I've never seen this start more than 30 mins before a flight except perhaps on an A380.

Airports like Istanbul and Singapore indicate boarding as starting 1 hour before departure. Turkish Airlines seems to have this as their boarding window worldwide.

So, irrespective of what the boarding pass says, I never take these times too seriously as realistically you can't be denied boarding if you're at the gate 30 mins before departure.

But... my approach does have its risks. So please don't try this without speaking to your doctor first.

Hi Ben,
We were in that same flight. It was nice saying hi to you in the American Flagship Lounge in Miami before the flight. As I mentioned then, I've been reading your blog for years, it was quite nice to finally meet you.

I have to DISAGREE with just about EVERYTHING you have said...are.you getting paid for this? OK you travel for free? We have had goos experiences with IBERIA before. The last one. ast month from Miami to Madrid is the WORST Business class experience EVER! The flight was an hour late leaving, surely mot their fault, but then the RUSH, PRESSURE, QUALITY OF THE FOOD.....awful! Maybe it's some kind of "union" thing...but we could NOT have a drink bwfore departamento...they said something about US regulación...fine maybe again MOT their fault...but when ww were arbórea they came around ALREADY with meal trays...NO MENU, NO CHOICES...I said I would like -if it was possible- to have a glass of cava....meantime here comes RUSHING the meal cart!!! I was a bit confused....they offered two choices of meal.and WHAT wine would I like with that! I chose and before I know I have a glass of cava and not one but TWO Red wines...all at once! My husband and I eat slowly and enjoy our meals....we were but starting our meals.when they are again RUSHING around with coffee! I had to call to their attention that we had JUST received (an untimely meal mind you!) ans hiw could we possibly want coffee when we had not even been able yo finish our CAVA! No attention to that whatsoever...I thi k if those giels could have drugged us to put us ALL to sleep they would have done just that! Amazing! Gossipping between then constantly...there seemed to be plenty of time for THAT! Will make sure NOT to fly business with them again! It's strange because we have had good travels with them and enjoyed their food and wines better than with American before...this time the roles were absolutely reverse! American was amazing! Great menu, service, and attention to detail....something has happened during Covid? They better get back on track...that was basic cabina service in Iberia at best! A shame!

Flew them pre-Covid and they didn't have menu's either. Crew came around and verbally explained choices. Guessing some outstations do not have consistent meal choices.

I don’t remember the last time that I was at an airport where CLEAR actually saved any time.
---------------------------
You and I must never travel to the same airports (although I admittedly fly domestic 90% of the time). With Clear and TSA Pre I'd guess it hasn't taken me more than 10 minutes to get through security in the last 5 or 6 years. Usually it takes much less, sometimes as little as a minute.

Longest lines I've ever seen EWR Hands down

Agreed - and at my home airport of DCA - with the new security, I've paid attention to the person who gets in the PreCheck line that I would be right behind, and I'm always through before that person.

Why does Google Flight offer a First Class on Iberia flying from Madrid to IAD? Never heard Iberia had a first class on any of its fleet

What a jerk
B/f you ask you should experience it
Not bad at all. Maybe depends what concourse you use. D is the best and most
modern one. Idk Where you get your information from but it is one of the busiest airports in the nation and won the busiest airport in the world in cargo

For whatever it's worth, the TSA announced recently (i.e., late March of 2024) that Iberia now is participating in TSA PRE-CHECK.

Oh also, more on topic, the lone thing I do not care for vis-a-vis Iberia is how absolutely sweltering they keep their planes. Horribly, horribly hot planes, nearly intolerable. Everything else is fine-to-good with them.

As an Iberia Gold Car holder, I've never experienced anything that you describe, and neither have any of my colleagues. Your perspective is notably American.

Barcelona is more of a tourist market than Madrid, which is more of a business city and also larger by population than Barcelona.