How is Iberia (compared to Lufthansa etc)?
 

I have an upcoming trip from Europe to US and Iberia is one of the options.

If you are buying on price, can you buy the IB code but on a BA operated flight? Then it would be OK but I wouldn't touch Iberia itself. I know its one airline now but the integration doesn't yet extend to civilised service and enough space to accommodate a leg that only has one knee joint.

IB is nicer than LH in J, about the same in Y, for TATL. Both are superior to BA and MAD doesn't shut down for a week when it snows, or leave pax stranded for days at worst, in line for hours at best. Maybe flying BA code on IB metal is the better choice TATL? The LHR T5 lounges are gorgeous, but nothing else good about flying BA these days -- sad to see how far that great airline has fallen.

It really depends on the class you're flying and the expectations you have. Their business class is vastly better than LH if only for the seats (I happen to like the food much better, and MAD is a much nicer place to transit than FRA). I've never flown them in economy but have seen others complain that the pitch is tight.

I also quite like their service and have had zero bad experiences, neither in air nor on the ground, in about 100 flights with them. I'm always puzzled by the people who complain so bitterly about it (and there are plenty here on FT), though I suspect it has more to do with the fact that it's not British than anything else.

+1

If the FFP did not enter into account:

in C I would always choose IB over LH/AF/etc
In Y probably I would prefer the german carrier, but not much difference either. What I do dislike in IB short haul is that you have to pay for food in most of the routes

Indeed.

Anyway, I have a couple of questions about this matter...

- How does IB business plus class compare with the new and renovated Swiss business class? Any experiences?

- It seems Iberia has removed from their website the capability of mixing classes in the same trip (TATL routes). Until a few weeks ago, you could book, for example, MAD-JFK in business class and JFK-MAD in economy. Now, the website only allows me to book in the same class, all economy, all business. Is there a way to mix classes through the website?

I quite like the new LX C, and would probably give the seats a very slight edge. The IB seats are your more typical 2X2X2 layout (like old LX, or LH) but they are spaced enough (about 72") that there is room to go completely flat. The LX seats are a bit more modern, with a 2x2x1 layout. The difference it that they have very short pitch and you have to sleep with your feet in a little hole inside the seat in front. Both are comfortable and good for sleeping on.

The IB site used to give you the option to see all the different fares regardless of which one you chose when you did the search but you're right, that's gone now. I guess you'll either have to book two one-ways (I think the price is the same) or just call up Serviberia and make them figure it out for you.

It is going to be discount economy. Is the legspace same on both LH and IB in discount economy?

I do have a united mileage account, so I coulc get LH miles on that, but LH is coming out to be $350 more than IB so I will have to justify it to my work (it is a work trip)

You would think from all the moaning here on FT that IB's pitch is some unsurvivable number, but according to SeatGuru it's 32" on all long-haul aircraft. That's an inch more than LH on most of their planes, an inch more than UA on all their planes (not counting E+), and...golly, look at that: an inch more than BA.

Better seat pitch, lower price, and the luxury of not having to connect in LHR seem to make IB the clear choice here. If you don't have any OW status why not sign up for an AA challenge? This might get you a good way there.

A hole? OMG :D Does it feel cramped?

And how about food & wines? Any improvements with the new LX business class? Iberia business plus offers a really tasty mediterranean menu with a great selection of spanish wines...

About the fare issue I raised, yes, it's definitely gone. Bad for IB. Really bad.

I just check the two one-ways options and they ask for the full business fare, so it is not a good deal...

Serviberia would be the answer, but they charge an outrageous 79 euros per ticket instead of the usual 10 euros.

I know 79 euros is not a pile of money when we are talking about TATL busines class, but it really annoys me I have to pay it just because Iberia decided to scrap its website usability. Anyway, I suppose it will be a question of 'do what Iberia wants or fly elsewhere'


Despite all the negative reports you can find all over the Internet, IB seat pitch on long haul aircrafts is correct (short haul is another story, though). As alanw has already stated, it is even slightly larger than LH or BA. Food is nice, MAD is a very convenient airport for connections (much more better than LHR)

The main black dots you will probably notice would be:

-Crew. Not the most friendly in the world. Iberia follows the policy of 'you want something, you come here and ask for it'.

- Onboard entertainment system... Some TVs scattered along the cabin. 80's style.

Anyway, if price is ok, give it a try.

Just had a TATL with Iberia. ORD-MAD. It was no more hellish than any other TATL Y flight I've had, and the dinner/breakfast was perhaps even better than some others I've had. They freely pass out wine/beer and no charge, will give you 2 bottles at once if you ask, etc., so that's nice compared to AA. Seat pitch was tight of course but I could cross my legs even with the seat in front reclined. Recline overall was OK, I was able to catch some ZZZs here and there. Just wish the seats had those headrest/wing things like AA, those make a big diff for me. Oh well. All in all, it was fine, on time, and reasonably comfortable.

IBs big problem is on the ground with IRROPs, so as long as nothing out of the ordinary happens, you'll be fine on IB.

Could someone point me to what the OW and AA challenge mean? :D

So MAD->ORD seems decent on IB. I will have a short flight to go to MAD, so that might be a negative.

What is the weight restriction for carry ons for IB? I could not find anything.

The Challenge is a way to more quickly qualify for AAdvantage Gold or Platinum (even Executive Platinum according to rumors?). To achieve this, you contact AA via telephone, pay a non-refundable registration fee, then comply with the parameters of the challenge. Typically the parameters include a certain amount of flying in a 90-day window of your choice. The system uses points, not miles, to measure your progress, so higher-fare tickets get you qualified more quickly. There is a lot of very specific information about it at the AA FT forum.

The only thing I found on Iberia.com was a cryptic reference to an 8kg limit for flights governed by the German Aviation Authority (presumably meaning those departing from German airports). Otherwise, all references to limits only refer to size, not weight.

The shorthaul leg of my flight (2hrs) is operated by Air Nostrum..hope it isnt too bad.

The fare information on itins searched at http://www.iberia.com/ gave a 10kg weight limit for carry ons, a bit small (but better than LH).

Do they check weights of carry on at the airport?
I dont plan on carrying big luggage pieces as carry on, but my laptop bag with its 17" laptop + battery charger itself weighs 7 kgs..doesnt leave much weight for the main bag.

The Air Nostrum leg will be a baby jet or a prop plane, bring ear plugs. Try to get exit row when you do online check-in. For flights around 2 hours, I think you'll get a small snack in addition to beverage service. The flight attendant is likely to be a very attractive woman under 30. Their hiring process must include some sort of beauty pageant!

Regarding weight, I just traveled TATL with IB and easily checked in my 55 pound duffel without a second glance from the check-in agent. IME they are not too picky about weights, as long as it doesn't "look" heavy or over-sized. As AA PLT I always check in at the Business desk, maybe that helps? ^