JFK to MAD - AA (arriving 8am) vs. Iberia (arriving 6am)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: CT, USA
Programs: Marriott/SPG Plat (won't last), Hilton Gold
Posts: 454
JFK to MAD - AA (arriving 8am) vs. Iberia (arriving 6am)
Flying in business class, which of the above options would you choose? They are both available (using miles). I'm currently booked with Iberia, but it will likely arrive before my US bedtime which won't give me much opportunity to sleep anywhere. AA may give me a couple of hours of sleep, but I'd arrive closer to "rush hour" in the city if there is one. Since maybe it's not such of a big difference in arrival times, it comes down to the plane, the fact that Iberia doesn't participate in precheck, or some other quality I'm not considering.
Any thoughts on this? Thanks!
Any thoughts on this? Thanks!
#2
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 73
I would probably go AA. I usually have a slow go going through immigration there. Everything is usually slower in Spain. My last trip it took 45 minutes to get a rental car with a line 4 deep. Another consideration is if the hotel will let you in early.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,359
Flying in business class, which of the above options would you choose? They are both available (using miles). I'm currently booked with Iberia, but it will likely arrive before my US bedtime which won't give me much opportunity to sleep anywhere. AA may give me a couple of hours of sleep, but I'd arrive closer to "rush hour" in the city if there is one. Since maybe it's not such of a big difference in arrival times, it comes down to the plane, the fact that Iberia doesn't participate in precheck, or some other quality I'm not considering.
Any thoughts on this? Thanks!
Any thoughts on this? Thanks!
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,359
#7
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
A lot depends on what your plans are in MAD. What will you do with the extra 2 hours, especially if you are headed to a hotel which won't give you a room unless you book the night before? Do you have meetings or other things which need to be done?
#9
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Programs: Marriott Titanium, IHG Platinum Ambassador, AA Gold
Posts: 25
What are the planes? I recently booked ORD to MAD on business class through AA, was put on Iberia. At the time, was 340 but now it will be one of their new 359s which is a nice plus. I would not put much stock in arrival times - you can always be late. So I look at the comfort factor.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: CT, USA
Programs: Marriott/SPG Plat (won't last), Hilton Gold
Posts: 454
So funny - almost split down the middle! Thanks for the thoughts on this!
(I'm staying in an AirBnB so I don't think I can get a very early check-in....)
(I'm staying in an AirBnB so I don't think I can get a very early check-in....)
#12
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,761
Eh, writing this post from an AA 772 in J, actually, and I'd still say I prefer IB. I'm not generally a fan of non-A380 Airbus products, but I've enjoyed Iberia biz class.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,248
I'm not sure if AA J pas get access to the IB arrivals lounge. Cant find that info on their site. I've been there as an IB passenger and it's a decent facility to freshen up if you dont have early access to hotel.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: CT, USA
Programs: Marriott/SPG Plat (won't last), Hilton Gold
Posts: 454
I would have access to the arrivals lounge at T4S, correct? Can anyone tell me where to find it exactly? I imagine I'll have to make my way there rather swiftly to get a sleeping chair, as others arriving may have the same thing in mind....
Thanks again!