mrkymark

IB6170 LAX-MAD
May 15, 2014
Airbus 340-200(342)

Iberia actually doesn't have an Airbus 340-200.
Iberia only operates A340-300 (and -600), but they use the code 342 for their low J(less J seats) configuration of the A340-300. The 342 configuration only has 4 rows of J.

All seats are fully flat bed shell seats in a 2 x 2 x 2 layout on A340-300 and -600 long haul with over 86.5" / 220 cm, four motors for seat movement, double lumbar pad with massage functions, rigid outer shell with grab bar, 10.4" personal screen extending from center.

FT post on Business Product: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16683808-post2.html

Here is another review of the Business Class product you will experience on your flight. It is about the A340-600 but again the long haul Business Class product is the same for (A340-300 with less J seats) = A340-200 = 342. http://www.svenblogt.de/airline-revi...0-txl-mad-sju/

Seat Map for A340-300 (remember you are on A340-200/same aircraft with lass J seat configuration): http://www.seatmaestro.com/airplanes...00-a343-1.html
The Seat Map for SeatGuru (342) indicates "angle flat" for this aircraft but for the long haul it is the Shelled 180 flatbed not angled flat: http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Ibe...s_A340-200.php

Iberia's A330-300 aircraft is one of the first in its' fleet to be outfitted with its upgraded NEW Business Class product featuring flat-bed seating. There have been no plans to operate this aircraft on LAX-MAD route.

I am flying this product, 342, for the first time in a few weeks so this has all been well researched information although I have not experienced the product for myself. Hope that helps.

wineberserkers

Fantastic, thank you! I do hope we get those seats!

wineberserkers

How was your experience on the 342, based on your research?

mrkymark

So here's a short blurb about my experience on the MAD-LAX 12hr flight.
- to be honest it wasn't bad, old biz class, spacious- lie flat FA's were nice.
- but quantity of service/quality of food was underwhelming.
- on an unusually long flight like 12hrs, it sort of requires 2 hot meals in C, not a hot meal and then a cold snack and potato chips in a colored box.
- compared with LAN C, I was actually surprised that Spain's flagship Iberia C was quite inferior. As even on LAN, wines were quite well showcased.
- I think for a direct lie flat service from west coast to Europe, this is a great option but I was underwhelmed for sure.

Zaynab

First time I've heard of lie flat flight attendants

orbitmic

Indeed, some people might get some false hope here!

JasonMIA

Their hopes would be dashed when they saw the veteran flight attendants on Iberia's long haul flights though

Really though the OP is right about Iberia's business class offerings. The service, food and even drinks just aren't of a very high standard for what is the top offering of basically a flag carrier. I find the inflexibility of the flight attendants to be especially irksome too.

Gru1K

I'm trying to book MAD-LAX in Nov/2014 and it seems that IB canceled this route. Has anybody any news about this?

LupineChemist

It's a summer route only.

theo3356

Flying this route in June 2015. Anyone know if the cabin will be retrofitted by then?

mvoight

Good question, I have a couple of kid with business class award seats on it in the near future.

Cerebrito

It depends on what is most important to you:

• Good food and drink, but a longer overall journey with a connection
• Or a direct flight with a lay flat bed.

Personally, even on flashier airlines, the food is still airplane food. The meal on Iberia is mediocre, but I'd much rather take the direct flight. The hard product is quite good.

Jim055

Just flew the route. Seats 2D and 2F. My guess is probably not. And I'm guessing this will be the last route to get the upgrade due to the large leisure crowd in economy.

The food was good. The spanish wine was very good. The service was excellent. Both the IB lounges at MAD were very good. Enjoy your trip.

fatboy567

First time flyer with Iberia in June
LAX-MAD--342
MAD-LAX--342
I am booked in business class and have seat assignments. Just want to make sure my wife is sitting next to me. The website says its an A342 which as I've read seems to be the old business class? Have these been retrofitted? I have 2A & 2C on the way there and 2D & 2F on the way back.

LupineChemist

Correct, none of those have been retrofitted so you will get the old angle flat seats which are in 2-2-2 config and so yes, you two will be next to each other.