Last month, it was Glad to hear theyve improved the WiFi. Gossipping between then constantlythere seemed to be plenty of time for THAT! Iberia is a member of the Oneworld alliance, so there are a number of ways you could book. Underneath that were the AC power outlets, USB outlets, and headphone jacks. Other search platforms on Iberia's site will not function correctly. Is that true??? He assured me that specifically out of Chicago the plane is an A340-300, and that all "Business cabin" flights out of Chicago are now the Business Plus Seats (in one cabin,not a split cabin) and that all seats recline flat. The best part? Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Special meals require 24 hours to order with Kosher meals requiring 48 hours notice. Iberia 6171 Madrid (MAD) - Los Angeles (LAX) Thursday, May 25, 2017 Depart: 12:45 PM Arrive: 04:15 PM Duration: 12hr, 30min Aircraft: A330-200 Seat: 3C (Business Class) Because of my last-minute flight change, I was assigned a middle seat. Iberias website is not a fun experience. Controls were simple and easy to access even when laying down. D is the best and most Your feedback is important in helping us keep our community safe. The tray table folded out from the side of the seat in front. In this part of the terminal there was a single checkpoint open makes sense, eh? To drink, I had a glass of red wine and some sparkling water (I actually thought I ordered white wine, but I was served red wine, and it tasted good, so I didnt send it back). Search for Madrid flights on KAYAK now to find the best deal. And while you can book flights from Washington, D.C.-Dulles at these rates, that seasonal service doesn't restart until late March 2023. ), yet somehow Iberia doesnt?! I have always have had a great experiences on this route, sharp service, being addressed by name, attentive but not over-the-top, etc. If youve flown Iberias A330 business class, what was your experience less? BEN SAYS: While not industry leading, Iberia offers a solid business class experience, with comfortable seats, excellent and reasonably priced Wi-Fi, and good enough food and service. Until recently, Iberia was putting L'Occitane amenities in these kits, so they've apparently been downgraded. While Iberia sometimes has a not-great reputation, in this case I felt like that wasnt warranted. 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. To get there, I flew with Iberia over Madrid to Chicago and then with a domestic flight to Omaha. And even if you don't want to spend time in Spain, you could use this award to get across the Atlantic and then fly on elsewhere for cheap! As you say, it's not the best J product out there but it compares favorably with any US carrier. Iberia's A350-900 is their newest business class product. Even domestic flights within Spain. If I take advantage of the special 34K round trip to europe, do I have leave USA and return by early May, or, Can I leave USA in early May and return in July for 34K miles. The whole business class cabin on our Airbus A330-300 was in one cabin, though others have a small, mini-cabin in the rear. By bldavid GOLD 2241. is a director of content at TPG and was one of the site's first contributors in 2012. I am guessing Denver Air Connection participates in precheck. So this is a big improvement. For years, Iberia has been the go-to way to book these flights to score those savings as British Airways Avios tickets tacked on some hefty fees. to save on your next trip. Dismissive aircrew , never again. Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card Limited-time promotion:BEST EVER OFFER! --------------------------- If you haven't already done so, you'll need to add your travel companion as a beneficiary on your account. Considering most airlines charge at least 70,000 miles for a one-way ticket in business class, that's an absolute steal. A professional journalist, he joined the company in November 2018 after five years covering state and national politics for The Associated Press and working at several newspapers across the country. Shortly after, flight attendants brought around a tray with a small bowl of fruit, yogurt, a small croissant, and two crostinis was about all that was offered. Not a dealbreaker by any means just something to be aware of. I transferred Ultimate Rewards points to Iberia; the transfer is instant and the points transfer at a 1:1 rate. So not like this guy's Iberia flight? Your email address will not be published. In particular, when sleeping many people in these seats have their legs just kind of spill over into the aisle, given the lack of a partition, which can be tricky. For example, you can book this ticket from Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) to Brussels (BRU) for just 88,000 miles and less than $61 USD. As on my MAD-ORD flight end of January it was still charged per MB. And for our Midwestern readers looking to book a trip for early next year, that chance may be here, as we've just seen a healthy amount of award space for up to six travelers from Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) to Madrid (MAD) and back in early 2021. After meal services, Iberia turns on the mood lighting and casts the whole cabin in a nice, purple-ish hue. I dont really understand the star rating system here. IB isn't known for it's cleanlyness. Thanks for sharing and I look forward reading the rest of the trip report especially the Qatar's experience on the 787-9. It was fine but unremarkable. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Wearing a mask and the lack of an individual air nozzle also didnt help with creating a good sleeping environment. All rights reserved. This was Iberia Airlines a330 business class and there were fantastic big seats and a full bed. After two-plus rough years of European travel, things have really opened up. Why not fly from South Bend you ask? A member of the Oneworld alliance, Iberia flies to about 110 destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, North America and South America. A nice touch with the pillow and blanket that were both comfortable. What a jerk Flight. My biggest complaint is they often seem to guard the wine like it's their personal supply! Do your best to avoid these seats. I Why is that? It's far from the fanciest lounge in the world, but the space as a whole is impressive. Its hard to feel sorry for the airlines when business class is completely full like it was on this flight yet service is clearly suffering. Also have CLEAR and Global Entry with my Amex Platinum. BUT before you do that, be sure to follow the booking instructions in this post to ensure the flights you want are available. But in the looks department, it's all pretty grey. Hi Robert, it looks like Iberia hasnt yet loaded its schedule beyond March 27 for any flights, period, be they cash or award tickets. 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. Wait, say what? Traveling for spring break? In terms of product and convenience for getting to Spain, I definitely think IB is the best option. On to bed. I think there's probably a historical reason for that. I was handed a moist toilette and trash bag (yes this is business class) just prior to takeoff. It's a pretty standard business class seat. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. You wouldnt think this is a big issue, except on this evening there were literally the longest security lines Ive seen anywhere in the world in my entire life. Click on Beneficiaries, then click Add beneficiary or companion. @ Aaron -- I'm working on investigating, but my gut says that it's some sort of a glitch. I have a good post on the way that, depending on how far out you book, may help both of us. The flight was an hour late leaving, surely mot their fault, but then the RUSH, PRESSURE, QUALITY OF THE FOOD..awful! The Iberia lounge in MAD, and the flagship lounges in ORD and MIA are definitely a plus. 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. Fairly, in Europe you can't have worst Carriers then IB and AZ. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Once you've found the flights you want, it's time to transfer your points and book! At some point I decided to get up. 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? Like a high-end category for Qatar, an average category for Iberia and a low-end category for TAAG etc. Much like with dinner, this was served fully covered. Flying it from Madrid to Chicago for 25.5k Avios is the best option. So all in, I think it cost me about $600 for 2 tickets after taxes for this route in biz class. The last one. Kyle Potter is the executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, covering everything from aviation news to travel deals to in-depth guides on using airline miles. Breakfast was served with a roll and some fresh fruit, and the omelet came with sausage and hash browns. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. As far as lavatories go, there was one bathroom at the front of the cabin and one at the back of the cabin, right in front of premium economy. On the bright side, some of Iberia's flights between the U.S. and Spain the airline's new Airbus A350 planes. Everything was served at once, and each individual item was covered. Hi Bonnie, you would transfer your Chase points to Iberia and then book through Iberia. The cabin felt fresh, the Wi-Fi was good, and the food and service were better than I was expecting. It's divided into two small compartments, capable of holding just a pair of headphones, your amenity kit, and not much else. Seats Let's take a look at the seats from a variety of angles. Instead, consider booking separate awards from your departure city to Chicago or paying for a positioning flight separately. The seats are plenty comfortable, the food is good, and you can sip on delicious Spanish wines as you cross over the Atlantic Ocean. While not as good as Emirates ICE, for example, it was still solid. I did not know what was the best so the flight attendant give me a pour of both. But kudos to American for serving real champagne, unlike Delta. OK you travel for free? Many U.S. travelers may be more familiar with British Airways' loyalty program than Iberia's, and yes, you can book these flights through British Airways as well. That line is incredible at Miami. On top of that, Wi-Fi speeds were excellent. The service was simply top notch by the Iberia crew and the seats, entertainment and food all worked and worked well for the price in miles and tiny fee in taxes to get from home to Lisbon connecting via Madrid. Thanks to Iberia and British Airways' distance-based award pricing, you'll find the cheapest rates flying to or from Boston, Chicago, New York, or Washington, D.C. Read our full guide on how to book business class to Spain from just 34,000 points each way! And while that's not horrible, it eats into valuable sleep time on the short, seven-hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean. I recall LAX and lines that ran outside from one terminal to the next. Luckily, Iberia is insanely generous with how it defines off-peak. Only July and August are roundly considered peak season, with some occasional weeks and weekends throughout the year also blocked out for peak travel. A few things to take note of. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team. Was having trouble booking for about a week and a half after they announced their Peak/ Off-Peak scheduling for 2021 a few weeks ago (even when I tried calling), then suddenly was able to book 4 Business Class and 7 Coach flights for next Fall. The seats are fine, the food is generally good. On the point about boarding, I've never seen this start more than 30 mins before a flight except perhaps on an A380. On the console side, there's a small leather rest butting up against the area where you'll find both a wired entertainment controller along with the seat controls. I went into the flight with fairly low expectations, and Id say my expectations were exceeded somewhat. I recall LAX and lines that ran outside from one terminal to the next. However, this was my first time visiting since the lounge reopened, so Ill just share a few thoughts. The calendar view stops abruptly at March 27, 2022. 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. Even though these seats are older everything worked as it should. In this case it was Piper Heidsieck being offered.American Flagship Lounge Miami champagne welcome. @ Thomas -- Interesting. Flight: Iberia IB 6275 from Madrid to Chicago Equipment: A359 (Airbus 350-900) Class: Business Seat: 3E - 3G, Middle Aisle Seat Specification: Full Flat, 180 degree recline, Seat pitch: 78. There were just two lavatories for our business class cabin one at the front left of the plane, and another on the left side of the galley separating business class and premium economy. Want to fly business class to Europe on the cheap? Oh, and did I mention the full fridge of craft beer and the wine and champagne bar? #36 out of 74 Airlines 285 reviews. Premium Iberia passengers at Miami Airport can use the American Flagship Lounge, located in the D Concourse. Amazing! For an old seat, I found it comfortable but not overly impressive. Thanks for the review. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Economy Class flight on Iberia Madrid to Chicago: 20,000 Avios + $123 USD ( transferred from British Airways) Madrid is an airport where you need to arrive a bit early. Related: Fly business class to Europe from 34,000 Avios each way Meanwhile the Iberia Plus program has much more reasonable surcharges for Iberia flights. I went for the shrimp and scallops in saffron sauce with rice. Interestingly BA's hand carry limit is 23kg, and Easyjet used not to have a limit (it's now 15kg). Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. 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? READ MORE: Comparing Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can get them easily: British Airways is a Chase transfer partner as well as an Amex transfer partner and Capital One transfer partner while Iberia partners with both Chase and American Express. The shrimp with risotto was flavorful and somewhat original, though not the best airline meal Ive had. complete guide to booking business class flights using Iberia Avios. 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 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. A round-trip award ticket from ORD-MAD in business class will set you back 115,000 miles per person (plus ~$225 in taxes and fees). Good the wifi has been improved. Your email address will not be published. Then the cheaper airlines saw the money in this and started to sell bags by the kg (like Ryanair). I was also impressed by the food selection, which was every bit as good as when Flagship Lounges first opened. And even at peak departure times, it never feels busy or crowded. Class Economy. I just (2/4/21) flew the 10 hour flight from SJO-MAD on the A330. The cabin lights came up about 90 minutes before landing. Sign up for our free newsletter and get the latest news, insights, and money-saving tips. On the other hand, breakfast looked good and I appreciate a full hot breakfast service being offered. Some of the best availability has dried up since we first sent this toThrifty Traveler Premiummembers last week, but there are still plenty of flights available especially from New York and Boston. Seafood may not always be a safe choice on a plane, but this was a home run. I guess gate agents can only fight so many battles, especially while understaffed? Let me just say it: The Iberia business class cabin is boring. That 100 mb lasted me 30 minutes haha. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. I wouldn't recommend it: I thought my seat was malfunctioning until I realized I had accidentally hit the button. Curious how long we expect the covered food practice to persist? Since this was a late night flight, most passengers opted to go straight to sleep. If you're staying in Madrid,. Iberia off-peak awards from Chicago to Madrid again cost 34,000 Iberia Avios one-way in business class, down from 42,500 Avios. P.S. I do believe that Ben could make this concept more clear by putting a short explanatory note under each rating. About two hours before landing I ordered a cup of coffee, which a crew member gladly served me. Iberia currently operates 3 different aircraft on flights between Madrid and the United States the A330-200, A330-300, and A350-900. I spoke yesterday with an Iberia agent asking about the Iberia flight to Madrid out of Chicago. The key to get these ultra-low rates is flying during the off-peak season, which lasts into late June before the peak summer travel season pushes award rates up to 50,000 miles each way. Color me impressed. Since I was flying to Madrid to visit Ribera del Duero (see Guns & Butter: Ribera Del Duero, Madrid Travel Guide (Vino Edition)), home to tempranillo, I went with the second option. While I tried to rest for a few hours, I dont think I ended up getting even a minute of sleep. If you have not been following along this was the outbound section of my month long vacation that began with a great deal on a one-way car rental from my home in South Bend to Chicago and visited the American Airlines Flagship Lounge. You'll pay a bit more for the longer flights from Miami (MIA) at 42,500 Iberia Avios each way, but it's still a bargain. Airports like Istanbul and Singapore indicate boarding as starting 1 hour before departure. I wouldn't hesitate to fly Iberia again if the price is right or the schedule is ideal. We booked our Miami to Madrid flight as a standalone itinerary, since we were spending a couple of nights in Spain before continuing to the Middle East. Flight 6274. Some aren't able to book this far in advance. When I write reviews on Trip Advisor, I compare the star rating and price I paid with my expectations and experiences. That's not a terrible price, but it's far from a sweet spot. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Inside Iberia Airbus A350-900 Business Class (Madrid - YouTube. Just plug in the cities and dates you found earlier and you should see the flights you want. We were at our arrival gate at Terminal 4 just five minutes later, roughly 40 minutes early. Iberia is the Spanish national carrier and has a strong transatlantic network connecting various European cities with the United States and Latin America. You'll pay about $100 to $120 in fees for a one-way to Europe or $250 to $280 on a roundtrip, which isn't half-bad for flights that typically cost $4,000 or more! Cold food and one glass of wine only.

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