AA vs. IB / Iberia comparison: which is better, etc. (consolidated)
 

Need to choose between Iberia A340-500 from MAD to LAX or AA 767 from ZRH to JFK. Oops, sorry mean 767-300

Which is the safer aircraft?

Which is the better seat and service?

If one vote for each one, which is the best overall?

Thanks

Both aircraft are safe, if it makes you feel more comfortable, a340 has 4 engines instead of two on the 763.

IB has the 180 flat bed, aa might depending on which 763. As for service go with IB. The lounge at MAD nice.

sorry a bit confused. one site shows the 2x2x2 configuration and another shows 1-2-1

This is for IBeria flight 6171 for MAD to LAX in the summer 2016. Is it a 180 flat bed with 1-2-1 configuration?

If it is coded as 340-500 then it should be updated 1-2-1, see wiki in the below link.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/iberi...lidated-8.html

If I'm not mistaken IB doesn't have the A340-500 but rather the A340-600.

It is the a346 but in their system it is coded as a340-500

I recommend that you take IB direct flight to LAX @:-)

I fly IB biz from JFK to MAD. It was quite nice. It's unlike economy IB, where the FA are non-existent. The FAs in biz are attentive, speak great English and are pretty cheerful.

The movie selection is the same as Y, but the food is decent (usually a decent fish fish vs something else that I never take). The amenity kit is pretty basic.

Both have lie flat. I found the area you place your feet on IB a tad tight, if you have feet that flare out when sleeping on your back. But otherwise I'd recommend IB. Never flew biz on an AA 763, but having a Samsung tablet as your IFE vs a fairly large lcd would be the decision point for me given all else equal.

I should also mention the flight I fly is also the a346 not the a333 which also serves JFK-MAD.

IB better than AA for award ticket first class?
 

Thinking of MAD-MIA RT using AA frequent flyer miles. Is Iberia First Class or Business Class hardproduct better than AA? Thanks. Or is BA hardproduct going through LHR to Europe considered better than AA/IB? Any recommendations for getting to/from Europe to/from USA on first class using award ticket?

Iberia does not offer first class across the Atlantic, just business.

Using BA through LHR will expose you to fuel surcharges that can run into the hundreds of dollars.

I think if I could find IB seats in nonstop business class I would take them. AA would be fine as well. There are few hard products I would consider worth a few hours diversion away from being a nonstop. None of the OW airlines come to mind as one worth the bother.

Two words, fuel surcharge.
I can't speak of Iberia,but I think they charge a fuel surcharge. BA definitely does, and for FC it is a bunch. AA will not hit you with a fuel surcharge

Iberia's fuel surcharge is pretty small. BA's is not.

Thanks, guys.

The magnitude of BA's surcharge does vary greatly depending on the journey origin. One way from MAD-USA , the BA surcharge is $186.50 in business class, so not nearly as bad as an ex US surcharge ( which would be $428 )

The IB surcharge will be lower - around $60 iirc

Dave