Iberia Airlines Iberia Plus - Is "business" on transatlantic IB flights always business plus?

Been spending hours reading FT to research for our upcoming Europe trip. We have quite a few RBC points that we can convert to either AA miles or BA avios. We're going to be travelling from YYZ to BCN in October. We'd like to fly business, at least on the way there.

I was leaning toward flying BA even despite the crazy surcharges when using Avios, but recently realized maybe I should be looking at IB also.

I've tried a few dummy bookings on the IB website and have a question. Are all tickets in business class from JFK-BCN in the "business plus" cabin since they're transatlantic? Wondering if the different names for business when going through the booking process are just referring to the flexibility of the ticket (ie business basic vs business reduced)?

Also, since I can't seem to find the fare buckets on the IB website, which type of IB business ticket can one purchase with BA avios points through the BA website? Or can I book directly on the IB website using BA avios?

Thanks in advance!

IB has Business Plus - and all the A340s that fly transatlantic that means the Business Plus you see in the thread describing Business cabins. Business Club pertains to the A319s Iberia uses for certain transmediterranean services, and "Business" usually refers to intraeuropean services.

YYZ-MAD (assuming IB flys that route) would be on an Airbis A340 with Business Plus fully reclining seats in the 2 x 2 x 2 configuration shown in the thread: Iberia Business Plus longhaul - definitive thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/iberia-airlines-iberia-plus/1233801-iberia-business-plus-longhaul-definitive-thread.html).

Thanks JDiver - that's what I was hoping.

IB does not fly to Canada. Only in code-share via US or LHR

BA apply a fuel surcharge anyhow when using Avios on IB flights. They obviously just pocket this themselves because IB don't charge it when using IB Avios on IB flights.

It is probably possible to transfer your points to BA Avios, then transfer the BA Avios to IB Avios. (although there are restrictions - I can't find the thread discussing BA --> IB transfers and most FTers seem to have wanted to convert the other way IB --> BA)

BTW, all IB flights US --> BCN have a stop and plane change in MAD. So I personally would pay the fuel fine and fly YYZ-LHR-BCN on a nice flat Club World bed, rather than doing a YYZ-JFK/ORD/BOS-MAD-BCN in one of Iberia's slanted beds (and having to go through US customs). But if you can manage to save some miles and money maybe the hassle is worth it...

BA apply a fuel surcharge anyhow when using Avios on IB flights. They obviously just pocket this themselves because IB don't charge it when using IB Avios on IB flights.

It is probably possible to transfer your points to BA Avios, then transfer the BA Avios to IB Avios. (although there are restrictions - I can't find the thread discussing BA --> IB transfers and most FTers seem to have wanted to convert the other way IB --> BA)

BTW, all IB flights US --> BCN have a stop and plane change in MAD. So I personally would pay the fuel fine and fly YYZ-LHR-BCN on a nice flat Club World bed, rather than doing a YYZ-JFK/ORD/BOS-MAD-BCN in one of Iberia's slanted beds (and having to go through US customs). But if you can manage to save some miles and money maybe the hassle is worth it...

Iberia's Business Plus seats are most certainly not slanted!

Full 180 degree recline, less seats per cabin ie a more personalised service and better, more tasteful Mediterranean cuisine not to mention the array of wines available.

Avoid LHR at all cost, you do not want to transfer there flying in any cabin whatsoever.

MAD transfers are a breeze and there are flights to BCN every half an hour so in case your TATL is delayed for whatever reason you'll be on the next plane in the blink of an eye.

Tagging along on this thread--just to be sure, can I expect MAD-LIM to be Business Plus with flat bed seats also? I am contemplating a trip from IST-LIM, and IB seems to have a good connection. I have never flown IB long-haul, so I just want to know what to expect.

Another note, the connection time at MAD would be just 1:10, if I want to do this trip all in one day. Is that do-able? Or is it better to give myself an overnight stop in MAD?

Tagging along on this thread--just to be sure, can I expect MAD-LIM to be Business Plus with flat bed seats also? I am contemplating a trip from IST-LIM, and IB seems to have a good connection. I have never flown IB long-haul, so I just want to know what to expect.

Another note, the connection time at MAD would be just 1:10, if I want to do this trip all in one day. Is that do-able? Or is it better to give myself an overnight stop in MAD?

Yes, expect lie flat 180º recline beds on MAD/LIM. A full Business Plus service.

IST/LIM via MAD is non-Schengen to non-Schengen so once you deplane at MAD you won't have to go through passport control (which can be a lengthly process, especially if not a EU/Norwegian/Icelandic/Swiss/Spanish citizen).

You will turn left before passport control and pass through a security check, down a flight of mechanical stairs/lift and you'll be in the RSU boarding area!

AFAIK,

· Morning IB3763 IST arrival connecting to midday IB6651 LIM departure is 2:25.
· Evening IB3759 IST arrival connecting to midnight IB6659 or LAN's LP2707 LIM departure is 4:05

These times are easily sufficient to make the connection.

In any case, even 1:10 should be enough provided no substantial delays.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks, alekos47! My 1:10 connecting time was using the TK flight from IST-MAD, the timing of which is 08:00-11:30. I was hoping to fly on a Monday, and IB's morning flight from IST-MAD doesn't go that day. If push comes to shove I can fly on Sunday, though.

Thanks, alekos47! My 1:10 connecting time was using the TK flight from IST-MAD, the timing of which is 08:00-11:30. I was hoping to fly on a Monday, and IB's morning flight from IST-MAD doesn't go that day. If push comes to shove I can fly on Sunday, though.

Oh I see!

Then I'm afraid 1:10 is definitely not enough for a transfer between T1 and T4 (T4S). They're completely separate buildings.

You would need to go landside (i.e. through passport control) and catch a free shuttle bus that runs every few minutes between the four terminals, then check in at T4 and catch the automated train to T4S, through passport check and onto the RSU gate area.

Sorry about that!

Aha. That makes my decision much clearer! I still need to work out a lot of details for this trip, but this is very helpful information.

Avoid LHR at all cost, you do not want to transfer there flying in any cabin whatsoever.

.

All BA transatlantic flights arrive into Terminal 5, all Spanish bound flights depart from Terminal 5 so transfer will not be difficult. Hit MAD at the wrong time and transfer is VERY painful and slow especially since pax will have to transfer from satellite terminal to main terminal for connection to BCN.

All BA transatlantic flights arrive into Terminal 5, all Spanish bound flights depart from Terminal 5 so transfer will not be difficult. Hit MAD at the wrong time and transfer is VERY painful and slow especially since pax will have to transfer from satellite terminal to main terminal for connection to BCN.

Not true, IB long haul flights sold to BCN are ticketed as a 1 stop MAD itinerary.

BCN bound flights with the same flight number as arriving long hauls leave from T4S and are considered to be non-Schengen so you wouldn't even have to go through passport control, just a quick security check.

Passport control is done at BCN.

Oh I see!

Then I'm afraid 1:10 is definitely not enough for a transfer between T1 and T4 (T4S). They're completely separate buildings.

You would need to go landside (i.e. through passport control) and catch a free shuttle bus that runs every few minutes between the four terminals, then check in at T4 and catch the automated train to T4S, through passport check and onto the RSU gate area.

Sorry about that!

Aha. That makes my decision much clearer! I still need to work out a lot of details for this trip, but this is very helpful information.

There has been an airside Bus Service from T1-3 to T4 and T4S for exactly that reason of connecting passengers and make travel much easier for them.

Didnt have the Chance to use it and dont know if it still exists, but this would be an option.

It shows up here: http://www.iberia.com/OneToOne/v3/product.do?cntCat=Productos/ACCESO&cntId=conexT4&isPopup=true

as the 'Servicio Bus Tránsito Interno' The Blue and the Red Line.


BA apply a fuel surcharge anyhow when using Avios on IB flights. They obviously just pocket this themselves because IB don't charge it when using IB Avios on IB flights.

It is probably possible to transfer your points to BA Avios, then transfer the BA Avios to IB Avios. (although there are restrictions - I can't find the thread discussing BA --> IB transfers and most FTers seem to have wanted to convert the other way IB --> BA)


After opening up an IB+ Account you have to wait 90 days before you can use the CombineMyAvios Funcion FROM the Account. It might work earlier FROM your BA Account. If you have a BA Family Account you might need to use the ExtraStep via Avios.com to move Avios in or out of the Account.

I like BA CW and Iberia J the same. Both are very good. I'm flying YYZ-BOS-MAD (BOS-MAD on IB J) in Sept and suggest you do something similar. Yes, you have to transfer at MAD but it's a breeze (that said, I've been very fortunate at LHR for T5-T5 transfers lately).