AA vs. IB / Iberia comparison: which is better, etc. (consolidated)
Apr 10, 2018, 7:06 am
#106
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,105
Only ever flown IB to MIA but I can say both are 2-3-2. The hard product is decent enough for me to call equivalent. I'd give food and wine a slight edge to IB (unless you really care about ice cream) and IFE with a definite win for AA. Personally, I'd just go on cost/schedule and leave it at that, both are pretty good (though do note I speak Spanish so can't comment on English abilities of IB crews which can sometimes be iffy)
Apr 10, 2018, 7:47 am
#107
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,453
Only ever flown IB to MIA but I can say both are 2-3-2. The hard product is decent enough for me to call equivalent. I'd give food and wine a slight edge to IB (unless you really care about ice cream) and IFE with a definite win for AA. Personally, I'd just go on cost/schedule and leave it at that, both are pretty good (though do note I speak Spanish so can't comment on English abilities of IB crews which can sometimes be iffy)
Apr 10, 2018, 8:02 am
#109
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 263
Premium Econ AA vs IB TATL
Has anybody experienced both and can provide some pros and cons of AA vs IB, particularly on the hard product? For example, I've read that the AA premium econ bulkhead is actually quite small leg wise? And that AA has four across in the middle?
Also, any disadvantages to flying AA in prem econ out of MAD instead of IB pre econ, for example? And any way to improve the immigration experience at MIA (i.e., do they both go to the same immigration or is one better positioned vs the other)?
Trying to make up my mind on whether we (2 adults, 2 kids) do all AA, all IB or a one of each.
Much appreciated!
Has anybody experienced both and can provide some pros and cons of AA vs IB, particularly on the hard product? For example, I've read that the AA premium econ bulkhead is actually quite small leg wise? And that AA has four across in the middle?
Also, any disadvantages to flying AA in prem econ out of MAD instead of IB pre econ, for example? And any way to improve the immigration experience at MIA (i.e., do they both go to the same immigration or is one better positioned vs the other)?
Trying to make up my mind on whether we (2 adults, 2 kids) do all AA, all IB or a one of each.
Much appreciated!
In my opinion, Iberia is not worth the risk. Maybe their cabin will be a reasonable temperature, maybe it won't. If you're sweating bullets and surrounded by body odors, that extra inch of seat space (if it even exists) won't be worth it. I know you asked about the hard product, but in my opinion the biggest trade-off (aside from cabin temperatures) is food/wine (Iberia vastly superior) vs. IFE (American vastly superior).
It's also worth noting that every facet of the Iberia experience is chaotic; you will have a hard time relaxing. Say what you will about AA, but at least they usually know what they're doing.
Apr 10, 2018, 8:37 am
#110
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Valencia, Spain
Posts: 806
I have flown IB or AA transatlantic about 6 to 8 times each year, for the past several years, and have found the experience on both to be pleasant and broadly similar. Maybe I'm lucky, but I have never had a "chaotic experience" on IB, and their staff all seem to know what they are/should be doing!
I would choose either, depending on price and/or schedule.