Even-numbered seats are positioned closer to the aisle, with a pair of console tables separating the seats in the middle. Hi Robert, it looks like Iberia hasnt yet loaded its schedule beyond March 27 for any flights, period, be they cash or award tickets. After two-plus rough years of European travel, things have really opened up. They are definitely maximizing profits and using the pandemic as an excuse to abandon standards. Waiting at each seat upon boarding was a pillow and blanket. Still, it was nice. 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. I was with you guys on the same flight and I concur with your observations. The center section is a different story. is a director of content at TPG and was one of the site's first contributors in 2012. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. But nothing major. And you can book these awards 360 days in advance giving you a full month of award options that wouldn't be available to American AAdvantage members. What a luxury to fully extend. Here at The Points Guy, we love jumping on award sweet spots to make the most of our hard-earned points and miles. Curious how long we expect the covered food practice to persist? And at Dulles snaking around the main terminal in two circles. In business class, 23 of the 29 seats were taken, and economy seemed to be reasonably full as well. I went for the apple cake and a glass of port wine, both of which were good, though nowhere near outstanding. As a fellow south bender I also find SBN to be very expensive. The TV selection was great as well, including a full season of Modern Family, The Handmaid's Tale, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. ast month from Miami to Madrid is the WORST Business class experience EVER! Plus, your own feed of TPG content. It's a pretty standard business class seat. Required fields are marked *. Wearing a mask and the lack of an individual air nozzle also didnt help with creating a good sleeping environment. Luckily I wasnt very hungry, but it really seemed skimpy where is the meat and cheese to make this a European breakfast? 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. Arrival at 01 Oct 19, 07:35. Not sure exactly when this will change but Id just keep checking. From start to finish, the meal service took more than 90 minutes. Learn here how to apply. Unfortunately, it pretty quickly went downhill from there. (Earn 1X per $1 on all other purchases.). 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. There was a tray with prosciutto (the irony of serving Italian ham on an airline from a country that prides itself on itsjamon iberico was not lost on me) with pesto and mozzarella, a small side salad, cheese and jam, and some chicken consomme a fancy word for broth. It was all quite tasty. Great menu, service, and attention to detail.something has happened during Covid? https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/points/chase-transfer-partners/, Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. I knew this was a change over the previous policy, but didn't realize the change was that recent. Despite having CLEAR, it still took 45 minutes to get through security. The tray table folded out from the side of the seat in front. Class Economy. @ 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. ORD MAD Chicago Madrid. 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. 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. With that said, Ben is probably too young to remember the lines after 9/11. Given the value we got, I wouldnt hesitate to fly with Iberia gain. There's a variety of seating, from seats with two-person tables to high top tables. Here's your ticket to do it next year for even less. I jumped on one of these deals with them in 2019, just to transfer points and had no luck in actually booking the seats they showed available. Oddly, Iberia handled WiFi much differently on the return flight from Madrid (MAD) to Chicago-O'Hare (ORD). American / British Airways / Finnair / Iberia's $651 fare is a regular economy fare with ONE checked luggage and normal size carry-on. Airports like Istanbul and Singapore indicate boarding as starting 1 hour before departure. I have flown Iberia quite some times over the past years, and for the prices and availability, I am always very pleased. And though the portions were small, it was absolutely delicious. Aircraft Airbus A350-900. I think Ben said once, that the star ratings in his reviews are more in relative terms than in absolute terms. Iberia's normal WiFi costs are pretty exorbitant: A 50MB pass cost $39.99. From there, follow the link to Iberia's award search tool. 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). The last time I flew Iberia, the airline charged for Wi-Fi based on data usage, with absolutely outrageous costs. TSA Pre: another option wouldve been booking an AA ticket with TSA Pre and canceling it once inside. Fly from Louisiana on American Airlines, United Airlines, Iberia and more. 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"?!) Ren. Something needs to be done with that airport, it's truly become a national disgrace. Business Class - Iberia Home Iberia experience Travel with class Business Class Share Business Class Your most comfortable work time The seat The passenger who never travels beside you You will always have a free seat beside you, for enhanced comfort and more personal space. @ Gene Chan -- It's supposed to give you expedited security to the actual security line, by allowing you to bypass the standard ID check. The flight even arrived 40 minutes early. Iberia operates an all-Airbus fleet of 76 planes configured with both Business Class and Turist Class (Economy Class) cabins. Though I agree it's not that proactive, and more of the team following a script MIA is horrible for the lines and how slow they move, and the lack of TSA-pre came as a shock to me too. Here are the best cards for making your trip more comfortable. The Dalii lounge and the Velzquez Premium Lounge | This is the Velzquez Lounge. But on the whole, dinner definitely exceeded my expectations. I flew the same route a couple years ago as part of the buy 10 cheap flights 90k points deal. Thrifty Tip #1: Don't live in Chicago, New York, or Boston? js.src = "//player.ex.co/player/23271d62-c1c8-4817-9fa4-8afdbda97892"; At 26 inches across, it's plenty wide to sit and sleep in. Cava for me, thanks. 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. 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. For an old seat, I found it comfortable but not overly impressive. In the drinks department, Iberia really prides itself on its wine menu, which is full of Spanish wines. Lucky, I regularly fly this route, as I am based on Miami and my parents live in Madrid! And at these rates, its worth it, if you ask me. Need to log in to my Iberia account more often jaja. Not bad at all. Take-off 30 Sep 19, 16:45. Required fields are marked *. Controls were simple and easy to access even when laying down. A nice touch with the pillow and blanket that were both comfortable. 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. 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. As you can see, Iberia has opted to operate flights to America solely using Airbus aircraft. I selected seat 6L, a true window seat toward the back of the cabin (Ford was seated immediately behind me). 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. So not like this guy's Iberia flight? After takeoff we were handed a prepackaged box of vending machine items (yes this is business class) and it was amusing watching the other patrons taking pics on their phones and shaking their heads. If you're travelling in Business class, you can now see in advance what you will eat on board. I had to call to their attention that we had JUST received (an untimely meal mind you!) Then you're ready to send your credit card points over to Iberia to lock in these award tickets. We recommend starting from American's advanced search. 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!) I used up the free voucher in less than ten minutes. Log into your British Airways Executive Club account, click Book and Book a flight with Avios, and you're where you need to be. On select Iberia routes between the U.S. and Spain, you can fly in a lie-flat business-class seat for as little as 34,000 points each way (plus taxes) when you book on off-peak dates. Even at 34,000 Iberia Avios each way or 68,000 Avios roundtrip it's cheaper than what most airlines charge for economy, making it one of the best deals in points and miles. On this flight Iberia charged 20.49 for a full flight Wi-Fi pass, or 13.49 for a four hour Wi-Fi pass, all with no data caps. No attention to that whatsoeverI thi k if those giels could have drugged us to put us ALL to sleep they would have done just that! Its not bad, but theres nothing particularly good, either. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. When I cut into the omelet I realized that it was filled with ham. However, this was my first time visiting since the lounge reopened, so Ill just share a few thoughts. When it's time for bed, it's easy enough to recline all the way back into bed mode. 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. Fairly, in Europe you can't have worst Carriers then IB and AZ. Now some cabin shots: We had chosen, in the middle of the cabin, the honeymoon suites as many call them, that is, you are sitting VERY close to your seat mate. With that said, Ben is probably too young to remember the lines after 9/11. Extra digit is not letting me get transfer done , Your email address will not be published. When I write reviews on Trip Advisor, I compare the star rating and price I paid with my expectations and experiences. I earned the points with the Chase Ink Business Preferred - the card also came with a generous sign-up bonus of 80,000 points. Fly from Fayetteville on American Airlines, British Airways, KLM and more. Despite the later than posted boarding, the main cabin door still closed at 10:45PM. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. You won't find a cheaper way to get Europe using miles than with Iberia. Wondering if its 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?! I can appreciate wanting to save galley space, but these are frustratingly small, especially when youre trying to avoid spills. However, the weather in Spain in February is still vastly superior to what you'd experience in Chicago. The strange water bottle holder low I also dont understand. Economy and premium economy awards were lowered to historical prices. Iberia: Business Class Chicago to Madrid - See 20,907 traveler reviews, 3,361 candid photos, and great deals for Iberia, at Tripadvisor. Enter all of your travel companion's information, then click Add. Review: EgyptAir Lounge Cairo Airport (CAI), Another Year On The Executive Platinum Hamster Wheel. one of the best deals in points and miles, Many countries have dropped all COVID-19 entry restrictions. View the current offers here. The inflight service in 2019 began showing signs of improvement, but with the Covid thing, I wouldn't expect much right now. After menus and some sparkling wine it was time for the appetizer course. Maybe it's some kind of "union" thingbut we could NOT have a drink bwfore departamentothey said something about US regulacinfine maybe again MOT their faultbut when ww were arbrea they came around ALREADY with meal traysNO MENU, NO CHOICESI said I would like -if it was possible- to have a glass of cava.meantime here comes RUSHING the meal cart!!! This airline was founded in 1927 and is currently based in Madrid, Barajas Airport. The seats are fine, the food is generally good. The whole business class cabin on our Airbus A330-300 was in one cabin, though others have a small, mini-cabin in the rear. The shrimp with risotto was flavorful and somewhat original, though not the best airline meal Ive had. I acquired these Iberia Plus Avios by transferring them from British Airways Executive Club, which is possible as long as both accounts have been open for at least 90 days. The armrests at each seat are rather thin, but they do the job. There's not enough room to stow a laptop. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It's honestly one of the best features of these seats. Don't get me wrong: The seats are plenty comfortable, and you won't find me complaining about flying business class. With expectations set low they you would indeed be positively impressed. Verdict: Solid, comfortable. This is one of the reasons I read the blog! Nothing scary, or anything, but there was enough turbulence that it prevented me from sleeping. Proof of recent recovery from COVID-19 also works for entry to Spain. That 100 mb lasted me 30 minutes haha. Consider booking a positioning flight using cash or miles to get there and hop on your business class flight. There and hop on your Business class flight were small, mini-cabin in the drinks,... Hesitate to fly with Iberia I had to call to their attention that we had just received an. Wrong: the seats in the drinks department, Iberia and more is probably young. 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