Seat selection in Iberia challenges
Mar 30, 2006, 6:35 am
#1
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Seat selection in Iberia challenges
Despite the almost uniform dislike of Iberia on flyertalk.com, I was forced to fly them to MAD because of time constraints. I purchased a business class ticket. But when I went online to look at my seats, AA.com won't allow me to change seats. It said that the seats were not assigned. Then when I checked my itinerary from the travel agent, it said:
SEATING IS RESTRICTED TO AIRPORT CHECKIN ONLY
What is this noise? If Iberia is trying to attract full fare business class travelers, why would they not give the passenger the option to select a seat in advance? The trip isn't until July, so its not like it is short notice.
Is IBERIA a subsidiary of Aeroflot domestic? Hence, sIBERIA?
SEATING IS RESTRICTED TO AIRPORT CHECKIN ONLY
What is this noise? If Iberia is trying to attract full fare business class travelers, why would they not give the passenger the option to select a seat in advance? The trip isn't until July, so its not like it is short notice.
Is IBERIA a subsidiary of Aeroflot domestic? Hence, sIBERIA?
Mar 30, 2006, 6:43 am
#2
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This is true of practically any partner airline. You can't make changes online, especially if you used a travel agent. I bought tickets online directly from IB and had no problem getting assigned seats.
Mar 30, 2006, 9:40 am
#3
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Pues, mira, Joe - "try FLYING the airline before you make seriously negative comments like that," is my initial response. Was the fare highly restricted? Perhaps you can try calling IB or the agent you purchased from to get a seat assignment, and then you can let us know what worked - or not? 
Mar 30, 2006, 9:46 am
#4
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During a my first IB experience in quite some time for JFK-MAD and then MAD-LHR, my travel agent got a seat assigned. I only went the TA route after I found the JFK-MAD route was sold out when booking online via AA.com. The TA claimed he "called in a favor" to get me on the flight in J -- who knows if that's true, but he got me on the flight -- and I got a seat assigned on both flights. Both were etickets, so I only had some TA forms that listed a seat, which was what I got when I got on the plane.
Mar 30, 2006, 9:54 am
#5
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Originally Posted by JDiver
Pues, mira, Joe - "try FLYING the airline before you make seriously negative comments like that," is my initial response. Was the fare highly restricted? Perhaps you can try calling IB or the agent you purchased from to get a seat assignment, and then you can let us know what worked - or not?
My travel agent just put in a request for seats. Hopefully, aa.com will have them posted during the week.
Mar 30, 2006, 11:04 am
#6
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Originally Posted by JoeTGarcia
...Then again, many folks hate Air France and KLM and I have actually had great experiences on them.
I have had very positive experiences on my most recent IB flights-- as have many. Many still have bad things to say about IB on the internet-- but, again, that means very little, you'll see just as much negative "noise" about AA. I'll take IB over AF any day, any time.
Oh, and, your little "sIberia" "joke" isn't remotely original.
Mar 30, 2006, 12:04 pm
#7
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I've never had a bad experience on IB flying mainly intra-Europe flights in J. Decent food, on-time flights, uneventful check-in. In general more pleasant than BA's club Europe product.
Mar 30, 2006, 12:09 pm
#8
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Originally Posted by millionmiler
In general more pleasant than BA's club Europe product.
Totally agree!
Mar 30, 2006, 12:11 pm
#9
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Originally Posted by millionmiler
I've never had a bad experience on IB flying mainly intra-Europe flights in J. Decent food, on-time flights, uneventful check-in. In general more pleasant than BA's club Europe product.
More on same:
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=530208
Mar 30, 2006, 12:25 pm
#10
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My Iberia experiences have varied, but
they serve a very good cup of coffee and know how to make a serve a proper cup of tea. That's an accomplishment these days.
Mar 30, 2006, 12:51 pm
#11
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I've got no complaints from my intra-European flights. I even scored an op-up as a PLT on a cheap Y ticket (and I'm convinced it's because I used the Lounge in Seville).
Mar 30, 2006, 1:06 pm
#12
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Originally Posted by JonNYC
Yeah, but you're judging by actually flying the airline-- as opposed to gathering information on the internet from random strangers and websites-- that's not really a fair way to do it-- is it?
More on same:
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=530208
More on same:
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=530208
I've also flown them MAD-JNB in J a couple of times. It wasn't like SQ or CX, but it was fine.
I know that people have written horror stories here about IB on occasion, but for God sakes they are better than United.
Mar 30, 2006, 1:11 pm
#13
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Tea
Originally Posted by oldpenny16
they serve a very good cup of coffee and know how to make a serve a proper cup of tea. That's an accomplishment these days.
Yeah, what is it about this country that they cant get it through their heads you make a cup of tea, with the tea bag in FIRST, then BOILING water poured over the top. God forbid you wanted it with real tea leaves in a pot even. SHEESH !!!! Its not rocket science.
Mar 30, 2006, 2:35 pm
#14
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Yes!
Originally Posted by JAppelbee
Yeah, what is it about this country that they cant get it through their heads you make a cup of tea, with the tea bag in FIRST, then BOILING water poured over the top. God forbid you wanted it with real tea leaves in a pot even. SHEESH !!!! Its not rocket science.
Mar 30, 2006, 3:29 pm
#15
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Originally Posted by oldpenny16
The best 'proper' tea I've had in flight was on British Air.