In mid-2022, Iberia announced plans to introduce a new business class product with doors as of late 2023. That product was quietly put into service roughly a year ahead of schedule. The airline has now revealed some more details about this new jet, as there are more changes than just a new business class product.
In this post:
Iberia’s new business class now flying
In July 2022, International Airlines Group (IAG) revealed an exciting development about Iberia’s business class. Specifically, we learned that Iberia intends to install a new business class product with doors on Airbus A350 aircraft.
Iberia has a total of 20 Airbus A350-900s on order — 15 have already been delivered, and five more are set to be delivered in the near future. As it turns out, Iberia’s newest A350, with the registration code EC-NXE, already sports these cabins.
The future delivery Airbus A350s are also expected to feature these cabins. Interestingly a couple of the previous A350s that Iberia took delivery of came without business class cabins, due to supply chain issues. Hopefully these planes eventually get the new business class product, rather than the old one.
As of now, Iberia doesn’t have firm plans to reconfigure any existing planes with these seats, so don’t expect to find this product on existing Airbus A350s, or on any Airbus A330s. Iberia also has eight Airbus A321XLRs on order, and we don’t know what those cabins will look like.
What is Iberia’s new business class seat like?
Iberia is partnering with Recaro on its new business class seat, and specifically Iberia has selected Recaro’s CL6720 seat, with the optional door.
For context, the CL6720 seat is an evolution of the CL6710 seat, which can be found on EL AL’s Boeing 787-9s, TAP Air Portugal’s Airbus A330-900neos, and Azul’s Airbus A330-900neos. This is a staggered configuration, but unlike some other similar configurations, not all seats are directly forward facing.
Air China was the launch customer for Recaro’s CL6720 seat, as Air China is installing these seats on newly delivered Airbus A350-900s.
This looks like a significant upgrade over Iberia’s current staggered business class configuration.
Other changes with Iberia’s new Airbus A350s
The changes with Iberia’s new Airbus A350 go beyond a different business class product. Iberia is the first airline in the world to take delivery of an Airbus A350 with the new production standard, featuring a reduction in weight (by roughly one ton) and a slightly wider fuselage. I’ve written in the past about the new A350 production standard, which will allow airlines to offer 10 abreast seating on economy.
So, what else is Iberia changing with its new Airbus A350?
- Premium economy seats feature added privacy, thanks to adjustments to the headrests
- Economy seats are one centimeter wider and have new storage for personal items; it’s impressive that Iberia chose to make economy more comfortable, rather than adding an extra seat per row
- The plane features a new IFE NEXT entertainment system, boasting the latest Panasonic technology, a more modern and interactive design, 4K resolution, larger screens in premium economy and economy, and bluetooth pairing at every seat
- The lavatory surfaces are made from antibacterial materials, with contactless taps to provide greater hygiene
You can take a virtual tour of the new A350 cabin here.
Bottom line
Iberia is installing an all new business class product on Airbus A350s. While this was supposed to launch as of late 2023, the first plane already features these seats as of late 2022. Iberia has selected Recaro’s CL6720 seat, which Air China has also selected for its A350s.
That’s not all, though — Iberia has also made improvements to premium economy and economy on these jets, largely possible thanks to the cabin on this jet being a bit wider than previous A350s. The plane also features a much improved entertainment system, including bluetooth pairing.
Well done, Iberia!
What do you make of Iberia’s new business class, and improved A350?
Another missed opportunity by Iberia. Seats are nice but their designers have the worse taste in color and style - again.
So, what's new? Isn't this the second time it's been posted because of 'new information'?
Ben, how many times has this post been updated? It really would be much more reader-friendly if you added these updates with separation, under different headings.
Following through on context here of questionable service, IB needs to learn how to competently communicate with complete information. In June, 2019, I was never informed that equipment substitution MAD-ORD meant no premium economy. Due to injuries, I could not sit in a coach seat for that flight. I would have gladly switched flight day if I only knew. Of course, although I invoked EU Rule 61, it took into late January, 2020 to receive...
Following through on context here of questionable service, IB needs to learn how to competently communicate with complete information. In June, 2019, I was never informed that equipment substitution MAD-ORD meant no premium economy. Due to injuries, I could not sit in a coach seat for that flight. I would have gladly switched flight day if I only knew. Of course, although I invoked EU Rule 61, it took into late January, 2020 to receive a refund; only because I directly beseeched the ambassador from Spain. Also, BC food out of ORD like from Denny's.
New seat, but it's still Iberia we're talking about. Is a new seat suddenly going to negate the horrid service? IAG is still beyond redemption. Pass [yet again].
I have a Flight next June from MAD to DFW I hope it is The 350 and not the crappy 777
IB doesnt have 777s, and I'm pretty sure MAD-DWF is on AA metal. Or carbon, as it were...
Possible A321XLRs routes? IBZ to JFK would be fun
To me this doesn’t look more spacious than their existing A350 product (although the extra privacy for the aisle seats will be welcome). But none of it will make up for the comically poor service and food on board… had to fly them recently LIM-MAD… good lord. Not to mention the fact they are (as far as I am aware) the only European airline to continue forcing masking for everyone during long haul service.
...To me this doesn’t look more spacious than their existing A350 product (although the extra privacy for the aisle seats will be welcome). But none of it will make up for the comically poor service and food on board… had to fly them recently LIM-MAD… good lord. Not to mention the fact they are (as far as I am aware) the only European airline to continue forcing masking for everyone during long haul service.
Also, this product looks sub-par compared to the BA Club Suites seats, and I’m a little confused why IAG didn’t attempt to at least standardise the seat products in J on their A350 orders.
The old seat wasn't that bad.
The old seat is actually one of my favorite J seats.
Could they have possibly gone for more drab colors?!
Finnair found some that are more drab.
With the doors in place, we won't have to make eye contact with the Iberia cabin crew who ignore us all.
Iberia crew is great to me in J. Aft of that and it goes downhill quickly.
surprised IAG hasn't chosen and doubled down on one standardized wide body business class product between British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. I would think bulk buying the seats and spare parts would be cheaper than having different (but not necessarily better or worse seats for each airline). And IAG would also be able to re allocate fleet and deliveries between their different brands more easily.
This specific aircraft is also one of the first with Airbus' New Production Standard for the A350 which is lighter by a couple tons due to more advanced materials including composites as well as increased performance due to enhanced slot and landing gear management, all of which results in several tons worth of more payload and/or greater range.
NPS also results in a 4 inch wider cabin through thinner sidewalls and a larger front...
This specific aircraft is also one of the first with Airbus' New Production Standard for the A350 which is lighter by a couple tons due to more advanced materials including composites as well as increased performance due to enhanced slot and landing gear management, all of which results in several tons worth of more payload and/or greater range.
NPS also results in a 4 inch wider cabin through thinner sidewalls and a larger front galley because of repositioning the cockpit crew access. In addition, Airbus moved the rear pressure bulkhead further back which allows a larger rear galley or the ability to move some lavs behind the rear doors. The combination of the extra space could allow up to 30 additional seats if an airline opts for 10 abreast seating in coach - which would be tight - or a fewer number and potentially wider seats for airlines that stick with the current 9 abreast in coach. Auto dimming windows are now available as a customer option.
This is the 2nd A350 with NPS - which is now standard on all A350s - for Iberia. Other recent deliveries with A350 NPS include aircraft for Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Singapore, Cathay Pacific and Air France. Delta just took delivery of its first A350 with NPS and one more is in flight testing. All of those airlines plus others including British Airways, Lufthansa, and Virgin Atlantic have A350s in production with NPS.
Great to see an already very good aircraft being made even better in addition to better cabins and personal space.
Ben- I understand you might have reasons for 'updating' old posts. Might just be easier and sometimes context is valuable, Or maybe you benefit from higher impressions-per-post metrics. But it would be great if you could consolidate any new information into an "update" section, or a series of sections if you update more than once. I'm sure most regular readers would appreciate the efficiency.
Here’s a pretty good indicator you can use before clicking.
New dated post on non-clickbait topic with lots of comments already? It’s a re-post.
I already figure it's a repost from those indicators. I just wish any new information was segregated out as such. Maybe even a section header 'Update as of dd/mm/yy'
@Scudder: eminently reasonable suggestion. I hope Ben listens to you. A large number of this blog's readers would be most appreciative.
Agreed - it's very frustrating to have to read the whole thing to try to work out what the difference is.
Wow ... this makes it really the best product on transatlatic routes, together with their supreme ontime performance and excellent food and wines.
I flew them for the first time the other week. It was only domestic. Oh my.
@Andy. I trust you will be submitting Iberia for a Skytrax 6 star award:-)
It's a great spacious layout, doors or no doors. Sure beats the hell out of UA tight fit next to the aisle with no privacy.
Doors can only be useful if they are used correctly, so i think that the doors willl not give you much privacy because they are too short. so should have gone with privacy dividers instead or make the doors higher, and also would be improving service and installing air vents be their top priority rather than adding a glorified PR stunt?
doors can only be useful if they are used correctly, so i think that the doors willl not give you much privacy because they are too short. so should have gone with privacy dividers instead or make the doors higher, and also would be improving service and installing air vents be their top priority?
I don't get the obsession with doors. Nobody's going to sit in my seat anyway I don't need a door to stop them. Stop with the vanity and focus on real comfort.
Agree 100% iberia crews belong to the rudest you might experience, spent the money in reliable service @ catering and skipp doors
Don’t know when was your last flight with Iberia but catering by D&CO is very nice in european J and long haul. And crew where always very nice and helpfull with us....our last flight was 3 weeks ago with IB
We took a flight from London to Madrid suppose to be business class lie flat seat. When We got inside the airplane all business class seat were Blocked. No one told us , about that little surprise and of course after we did the complaint by Iberia .com They responded you took that flight no proceed the claim and no way to reply. From the counter to the gate and inside the airplane They didn't...
We took a flight from London to Madrid suppose to be business class lie flat seat. When We got inside the airplane all business class seat were Blocked. No one told us , about that little surprise and of course after we did the complaint by Iberia .com They responded you took that flight no proceed the claim and no way to reply. From the counter to the gate and inside the airplane They didn't care. Captain didn't showed up to explain. Iberia employees aren't trained well. Beware next time you take a flight with Iberia.
Hodor!
Doors are a must, conditio sine qua non for business class. Seems like Iberia will be finally offering a proper J product. No doors = premium economy.
WTF, no doors = premium economy?
Did every economy (no doors obviously) conditio sine qua non upgraded?
Lucky, I really liked your article about airlines and personal air vents a couple of years ago. It has been extremely useful, but with all the a340 and 747 many older 777 200 retirements since the pandemic, it may well be a very valuable update post Covid travel restrictions and with the new fleets.
Personally as a Northern European I cannot cope with the high temperatures of Iberia cabins in any class. Until they start...
Lucky, I really liked your article about airlines and personal air vents a couple of years ago. It has been extremely useful, but with all the a340 and 747 many older 777 200 retirements since the pandemic, it may well be a very valuable update post Covid travel restrictions and with the new fleets.
Personally as a Northern European I cannot cope with the high temperatures of Iberia cabins in any class. Until they start introducing individual air vents above each seat, they will be much too hot for me to sleep and relax in any comfort during a long haul flight. So will be interesting if these a350s have the individual air vents, as it is one of the most important booking considerations for me.
Sweet! Hope they fly these to LatAm and not just NA
I’m only concerned that the new seats could be used as a reason for a devaluation. The fact that one of the best redemption bargains in the world remains flying J on IB from the Northeast/Midwest to MAD is not something I take lightly.
Well said...devaluation is in the air with no end in sight
It's fascinating how the sense of exclusivity and luxury has evolved from open unrestricted space to a tiny box. One reason why I love LH F is because it always feels spacious and unrestricted. In comparison, ANA's new product reminds me more of a cubicle.
How about using some of those long-legged A350s to start nonstop service from far-west cities to Madrid? I'd swoon over the chance to fly nonstop from SEA or YVR to MAD. Iberia already has very thin service to LAX and SFO. SEA and YVR are closer to MAD, and it would be an awesome way to go.
Skip the doors, save weight, fly to Seattle or Vancouver.
Ha. As someone who spent most of yesterday frantically searching for award space from MAD to west coast, I concur
Options look too claustrophobic.
I really enjoy flying Iberia longhaul and agree with ChadMC that they are quite underrated. The current seats are quite good (I'm not one of the fan boys/girls of "all things doors all the time", and actually had one fail on me on a British Airways flight, trapping me in my seat and forcing a move pre-landing for safety reasons). Iberia's food is quite good, too, and we've had very good service (if not to...
I really enjoy flying Iberia longhaul and agree with ChadMC that they are quite underrated. The current seats are quite good (I'm not one of the fan boys/girls of "all things doors all the time", and actually had one fail on me on a British Airways flight, trapping me in my seat and forcing a move pre-landing for safety reasons). Iberia's food is quite good, too, and we've had very good service (if not to Asian-carrier levels) every time we've flown them over the past five years)
I only fly AA and UA. Just for the air vents.
What difference do doors make when they have crappy service? They should invest their money in training their people better and improving their processes.
The benefit of doors is that you get to see the crappy service less because the door's in the way
I think their current product (maybe not the 350s as I don't believe those have massage functions built in) is quite under rated. The service (pre-covid) was always fine, the food and wine both really good. The pre-arrival 'meals' were always a huge disappointment, but putting that aside, they've always offered a solid product to and from Madrid.
As NK3 stated, air vents would be much higher on the priority list over doors.
I would gladly trade doors for individual air vents. They keep the cabin rather warm, and their A330s don't have vents. I can sleep with or without a door, but not when I am uncomfortably hot.
Second this! What good is a door if you are uncomfortable. Warm cabins are the WORST!
People often forget you don't have to use the door if you don't want to
Great. Will they stop losing my luggage then?
Doors, schmoors, stop with the bizarre door fetish.
Give us a comfortable seat, give us enough room for the foot cubby, for hips and shoulders when in lay-flat position. Nobody cares about the doors except credit-card shills.
Right god forbid a credit card pushing blog writer see someone else while traveling. I remember TPG being horrified that they made eye contact with the person across the aisle.
Meh, nothing revolutionary, nothing to get excited about. Basically, industry standard, keeping up with the Joneses. All I ask is they add wireless charging as it'd be really convenient rather than lugging a cable around.
IMO wireless charging in a plane has never really worked. It has the potential if they executed it a little better by having the phone sit in a tray of sorts but just putting my phone on the console has never really worked if the plane made any slight movement (which they tend to do sometimes)
Qatar seems to have a pocket for wireless charging on their 787-9s.
Doors!! I f*cking love doors