By way of update:


- the Qantas tip worked: was able to select different seats in the CW cabin for the BA leg (row 15 with direct aisle access from the window A seat), though still no ability to see available seats in the F cabin (consistent with what others have described)


- the Qantas site did not allow me to access seating for the Iberia leg, and weirdly neither did the Iberia website!


All set - thanks, as ever, to FT for the collective wisdom.


If anyone has a recommendation for a convenient hotel at MAD airport, I'm all ears...