Other European Frequent Flyer Programs - IB MAD - DME J-Class

Has anyone been on this flight in J?

I'm catching the red-eye 23.45 flight next Monday and would like to know if they will provide any amenity kits/pillows etc on this flight. I'm not too thrilled at the prospect of going straight to work without a "decent" night's sleep. (my gut is telling me that they won't since this flight is operated by an A319)

-CF-

I hope you didn't pay much for the ticket - it's standard European 3x3 seating with the middle blocked. The redeyes give you a snack before bed and a pillow. That's it. Really atrocious, but then the tickets (usually) cost half as much as proper J on another carrier.

IB's long-haul product is great but they treat these mid-haul flights as if they were domestic. They need to improve that.

If you are looking for a proper short-haul C-class seat, there is an SU flight, which leaves 10 minutes later:

[KVS Availability Tool 5.1.2/Diamond - Amadeus: Timetable/NL-BCDF] (http://www.KVSTool.com/?R)
MAD Madrid Barajas ES [LEMD]
MOW Moscow Metro RU = SVO DME VKO BKA
MON 12 Oct 2009 - 19 Oct 2009

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Frequency | Dur'n | Dep T | Arr T | Effect | Ending | Exceptions
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ----------------------------------------------------------------
IB 3810 MAD 10:25 DME 17:15 319 0 1234567 04:50 4S - 30 Apr 26 Oct
SU 290 MAD 12:20 SVO 19:10 EQV 0 ---4--7 04:50 1 2 12 Oct 19 Oct
SU 290 MAD 12:30 SVO 19:10 320 0 -2----- 04:40 1 2 13 Oct 20 Oct
S7 878 MAD 14:45 DME 21:40 319 0 -----6- 04:55 4S - 03 Oct 24 Oct
IB 3808 MAD 23:45 DME 06:35 +1 319 0 1234567 04:50 4S - 01 May 23 Oct
SU 300 MAD 23:55 SVO 06:50 +1 320 0 1-3-567 04:55 1 2 09 Oct 24 Oct

Thanks for the advice - my gut was right!!

It seems like one gets absolutely nothing for a 5-hour flight but at least it's part of my DONE5. I am definitely spoilt by Asian carriers - a short sector from HKG-TPE on CX gets you the whole shabang! I'm now really thrilled at the prospect of flying 2 return MAD-DME-MAD in the next couple of months....

To make myself feel slightly better, I reckon taking my own comfy pillow, construct a makeshift "bed" and keep thinking about the 120TPs I will get with BA Exec Club for this one sector! Oh one mustn't forget the alcohol to soften the pain :D

I don't know about S7, but for future reference, SU has real business class seats even on narrow body aircraft. If you are willing to do SVO instead of DME, SU is more comfortable than IB on this route.

In this case, I know it won't help as it is part of your Oneworld booking.

I think S7 is joining OW but not sure when.

Just wanted to give you all an update. (and thanks for all your advice again)

I stepped off the flight this morning and was pleasantly surprised by IB's S/H offering. I agree that the hard product is in need of improvement (thicker blankets, softer/better pillows and proper biz seats please!!) but the crew are very attentive and down to earth. I fell asleep after take off but the crew offered to serve me a full meal when I woke up an hour prior to landing. Sadly, scallops at 3am doesn't sound that appealing so I declined.

I agree with fellow FTers' observation re IB's service - it's nothing like CX but personally I prefer IB's approach - you get for what you asked and they will deliver. CX's whole "ego massage" is frankly quite unnecessary - especially when the 3rd FA comes along to thank you for flying with them...I guess some do like the whole being pampered experience.

-CF-

:) - I agree on the CX thing (not having flown them but plenty of experience on SQ). I've never had a bad flight on IB but of course am not a fan of their European configuration.