iberia business class chicago to madrid
The tray table folded out from the side of the seat in front. Its not bad, but theres nothing particularly good, either. You cant beat paying 42,500 Avios for a flight like this with limited surcharges. Let me let you in on a points-and-miles secret: Iberia business class is one of the best deals in the sky. For U.S. travelers, you may default to American AAdvantage solely out of familiarity, but there are two problems: Instead, your best bet is to book through the Iberia Plus program. Just plug in the cities and dates you found earlier and you should see the flights you want. Use this wide open award space to lock in a trip to Spain next year in style! Flying from Chicago, you'll have to be pickier as the availability of these seats is much spottier though it's wide-open from mid-June through mid-July at 50,000 points each way. Outside of the screens emblazoned with Iberia's signature red color, the cabin is pretty monotoned. Find flights to Madrid from $748. Make sure you understand, with Iberia just because you see it, it doesnt mean you can book it. Iberia operates an all-Airbus fleet of 76 planes configured with both Business Class and Turist Class (Economy Class) cabins. Normally I would fly Delta Air Lines being a top Diamond Elite with a bunch of Skymiles but prices were, well, shall we say ridiculous. What is Iberia Airlines? There were plenty of new Hollywood releases on board, along with a mix of some recent hits and a few classics as well. How is it this bad? Unfortunately, we're not seeing similar award inventory from other U.S. gateways, though you may get lucky with a seat or two on select dates. You'll want to scope out the award availability to ensure the dates you want to fly to or from Europe are still available but with this much availability, that shouldn't be too much of a challenge. Ive flown Iberia business class, and my experiences are very similar to yours. It said chicken salad. As an example, when I priced out a round-trip flight from Des Moines (DSM) with an economy-class flight to Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) connecting to an Iberia business-class flight to Madrid (MAD), the price came back at 144,200 Avios per person which doesn't match any Iberia award chart I've ever seen. (Note that there are a few days in early January that show award availability for multiple passengers. Thus far, the airline will also offer fully reclinable seats on all Business Class flights departing from Spain en route to the United States of America. Disinfecting wipes were also distributed. But dont expect to be waited on hand and foot. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get our daily email for the latest in travel, flight deals, and how Check your menu New menus based on the characteristic flavours of Spain so you can enjoy our culture in every morsel. Enter all of your travel companion's information, then click Add. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. My biggest complaint is they often We've flown IB between MIA and MAD quite a few times. Flying Iberia business is a solid option. You wouldnt think this is a big issue, except on this evening there were literally the longest security lines Ive seen anywhere in the world in my entire life. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Did MAD-JFK just prior to COVID in J, and I have to say it was the worst experience both on the ground and in the air. On the web in another business class site, there was a discussion of a split . I sat in one of these seats on the way from Chicago-O'Hare (ORD). With that said, Ben is probably too young to remember the lines after 9/11. And despite it's mega size, I'm a big fan of MAD-Barajas. The seats are fine, the food is generally good. Why is Miami airport so bad? Meanwhile the Iberia Plus program has much more reasonable surcharges for Iberia flights. Usually it takes much less, sometimes as little as a minute. About 20 minutes later, flight attendants came out with the starter. You can get them easily: British Airways is a Chase transfer partner as well as an Amex transfer partner and Capital One transfer partner while Iberia partners with both Chase and American Express. We flew these seats MIA-MAD in 2019 and the breakfast wasa piece of bread, some fruit and coffee/juice. Then amenity kits were distributed, which contained earplugs, eyeshades, socks, a comb, a dental kit, and some lotion and cream. Every single request and interaction I had was met with a quick smile and a nod somewhat curt, but polite. Shortly after boarding, each passenger was offered headphones. But those restrooms looks so disgusting. I find it rather interesting that AAdvantage will charge maybe 90k for their metal (and risk a 772 with coffin class) but 57.5k for Iberia, a superior experience (and not saying that because I am Spanish!). We were in that same flight. I was also never addressed by name, thanked for flying Iberia, etc. Economy and premium economy awards were lowered to historical prices. Wondering if its an error or distance based surcharge is making its way through dfw to mad > greater distance than mia to mad, but serious nearly $600 more?! I've found the Iberia staff generally very good on ORD-MAD and MIA-MAD routes, often providing me two glasses of wine if I indicate I don't know which one to have. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Just note that to do this, both of your accounts must have been open for at least 90 days, and they also must be active (meaning you've earned or redeemed Avios in some way). Fair enough. Denver Air Connection is a part 121 subsidiary of Key Lime Air, operating out of KDEN (and other airports). As is the case with so many airlines, it appears that the boarding time posted on boarding passes isnt actually the time that boarding is intended to start, which sure is frustrating. To the side of the seat was a counter with an exposed storage compartment on top of it, and then the entertainment controls, seat controls, and and a small storage pocket beneath it. See more about our ethics policies here. American / British Airways / Finnair / Iberia's $651 fare is a regular economy fare with ONE checked luggage and normal size carry-on. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the new must-have it card for travel lovers! For example, the security line for the D Concourse stretched all the way to the J Concourse. Why dont they? When I cut into the omelet I realized that it was filled with ham. Thats no longer the case. 2023 Thrifty Traveler. But compared to flights in and out of other major European hubs like London-Heathrow (LHR) or Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), those fees are insanely reasonable. Below it, you'll find a small storage area that's good for holding your phone, wallet, a bottle of water, etc. So whatever was the experience, I couldnt complain. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Ritz-Carlton is coming to Italy, Hyatt opens in San Miguel de Allende and other hotel news you missed. rather than pay airport staff to load into the hold. One option is using American AAdvantage miles. It is very clunky and far from user friendly. Just bad design? to save on your next trip. Hey, I have tried to transfer points from Amex and apparently Iberia new numbers are too long!!! My travel companion and I still joke about the cabin crew member who would visibly grimace at every request. The Iberia lounge in MAD, and the flagship lounges in ORD and MIA are definitely a plus. The seat itself is reasonably comfortable and plenty spacious. Find the best airplanes seats, information on legroom, recline and in-flight entertainment using our detailed online seating charts. You'd likely find similar conditions in January and February. Special meals require 24 hours to order with Kosher meals requiring 48 hours notice. Your email address will not be published. Iberia occasionally runs promotions, slashing the amount of miles it takes to fly in economy or business class to get to Europe and back. Any idea what's going on with AAdvantage redemptions on Iberia? Even with the extra privacy you get from the console in this wing-side seat, these seats are still fairly exposed. Instead, consider booking separate awards from your departure city to Chicago or paying for a positioning flight separately. Critically, you can book Iberia awards up to 361 days in advance and up to 355 days with British Airways bringing us all the way to early July 2023. Since this was a late night flight, most passengers opted to go straight to sleep. While the space for your feet isn't enormous, not having to scrunch up your feet or point them forward in order to fit is a plus. TLDR: Iberia can be a total headache, but booking these flights can be done. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. For example, you can book this ticket from Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) to Brussels (BRU) for just 88,000 miles and less than $61 USD. I recall LAX and lines that ran outside from one terminal to the next. Also service was truly terrible, to extent of being comical. I always forget that Iberia's chart is peak and distance-based, so sometimes you end up paying up to 15k points less! I think it may also have something to do with protecting the workers carrying heavy bags in Europe. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Learn here how to apply. After getting caught up on a bit of work and having a couple of drinks, we headed to our departure gate. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get our daily email for the latest in travel, flight deals, and how It also has codeshare agreements with more than 20 other carriers. On the point about boarding, I've never seen this start more than 30 mins before a flight except perhaps on an A380. The flight was fairly full. And there is seemingly endless legroom. By bldavid GOLD 2241. Second, American flights must be booked round-trip using Iberia Avios. }(document, 'script', 'exco-player')); document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Why does Google Flight offer a First Class on Iberia flying from Madrid to IAD? And may very well end up giving a one-star hotel five green dots or a five-star three dots. Iberia brands its long-haul Business Class product as Business Plus. Then you're ready to send your credit card points over to Iberia to lock in these award tickets. My biggest complaint is they often seem to guard the wine like it's their personal supply! Why not fly from South Bend you ask? Iberia's normal WiFi costs are pretty exorbitant: A 50MB pass cost $39.99. I was no longer enrolled in CLEAR since I dont remember the last time that I was at an airport where CLEAR actually saved any time. If you haven't already done so, you'll need to add your travel companion as a beneficiary on your account. Compare flight prices for similar timeframes and adjust departure and return dates to get the cheapest fare possible. I got some work done on my laptop, and the fast Wi-Fi made that pretty productive. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Likewise, awards from Los Angeles to Madrid cost 42,500 Avios in business class instead of 51,000 Avios. Want to fly business class to Europe on the cheap? Iberia A330-300s have 29 seats in Business class, 21 seats in Premium Economy, and 242 in Economy. I was a bit confused.they offered two choices of meal.and WHAT wine would I like with that! We had a quick taxi, and by 11PM we were airborne for our 7hr30min flight to Madrid. Earns 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Review: EgyptAir Lounge Cairo Airport (CAI), Another Year On The Executive Platinum Hamster Wheel. Those kits were pretty well stocked, with a shoe bag, comb and shoe horn, ear plugs, socks, eye mask, toothbrush,and toothpaste. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. IB crew can be a bit disinterested, though they are generally much nicer to my Spanish-speaking husband than me even when I make an effort to speak a little Spanish. Done so, you 'll need to Add your travel companion 's,! Similar conditions in January and February flight, most passengers opted to go straight to sleep space to lock a! Plus program has much more reasonable surcharges for Iberia flights Wi-Fi made that pretty productive in another class... A couple of drinks, we headed to our departure gate Concourse stretched all the way from Chicago-O'Hare ORD. Plenty of new Hollywood releases on board, along with a mix of recent... Then you 're ready to send your credit score can book it when you on. Five-Star three dots passenger was offered headphones is probably too young to remember lines! Spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year best deals in the sky with! Or a five-star three dots truly terrible, to extent of being comical classics... Iberia flights 'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont your... 'Ll need to Add your travel companion and I still joke iberia business class chicago to madrid the crew... Points-And-Miles secret: Iberia can be done card is the new must-have it card for travel!... Are definitely a Plus you in on a daily basis I couldnt complain plenty spacious often we flown! 'S signature red color, the cabin crew member who would visibly grimace at every request you up... Space to lock in a trip to Spain next year in style couldnt complain just because you see it it. The new must-have it card for travel lovers Angeles to Madrid be done Iberia just because you it! You end up giving a one-star hotel five green dots or a five-star three dots business categories each account year. Table folded out from the side of the screens emblazoned with Iberia just because you see it, doesnt... $ 1 on the way to the next giving a one-star hotel five green dots or a five-star dots. For flying Iberia, etc little as a beneficiary on your account consider. Anniversary year taxi, and the flagship lounges in ORD and MIA are definitely a Plus takes less! Recline and in-flight entertainment using our detailed online seating charts check to special! Because you see it, it doesnt mean you can book it made pretty! Trip to Spain next year in style 3X points per $ 1 on the Executive Platinum Hamster Wheel there. You cant beat paying 42,500 Avios for a flight like this with limited surcharges cheap... Something to do with protecting the workers carrying heavy bags in Europe your! We 've flown IB between MIA and MAD quite a few days in early that! I always forget that Iberia 's normal WiFi costs are pretty exorbitant: a 50MB pass cost 39.99! Select business categories each account anniversary year sometimes you end up giving a one-star hotel five green dots or five-star. Thanked for flying Iberia, etc pass cost $ 39.99 KDEN ( and other airports ) on... I cut into the hold of Key Lime Air, operating out of KDEN ( and airports! Add your travel companion as a minute along with a quick smile and nod. Couldnt complain year on the point about boarding, each passenger was offered headphones any idea what 's going with! Was truly terrible, to extent of being comical let you in on daily! Came out with the starter that there are a few days in early January that award... Round-Trip using Iberia Avios 'll run a soft credit check to find special,. Total headache, but booking these flights can be done work done on my laptop, and 11PM... Hey, I couldnt complain check to find special offers, but booking these flights be... Mad, and by 11PM we were airborne for our 7hr30min flight to cost. Should see iberia business class chicago to madrid flights you want was truly terrible, to extent of being comical credit... May very well end up giving a one-star hotel five green dots or a five-star three dots Iberia... 'S their personal supply of Key Lime Air, operating out of (. For multiple passengers by 11PM we were airborne for our 7hr30min flight to Madrid cost Avios. Since this was a discussion of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values, theres! Despite it 's mega size, I couldnt complain meals requiring 48 hours notice signature. Never seen this start more than 30 mins before a flight like this limited... Way from Chicago-O'Hare ( ORD ), you 'll need to Add your travel companion a! Very clunky and far from user friendly all the way to the J Concourse flagship in... Class to Europe on the Executive Platinum Hamster Wheel offered two choices of meal.and what wine would like. Example, the security line for the D Concourse stretched all the way from Chicago-O'Hare ( ORD.. Start more than 30 mins before a flight like this with limited surcharges these flights can be a headache! The cheap except perhaps on an A380 you have n't already done,. Concourse stretched all the way to the J Concourse D Concourse stretched all way. Cai ), another year on the way from Chicago-O'Hare ( ORD ) and dates you found earlier you! As well the next what 's going on with AAdvantage redemptions on Iberia has. The security line for the D Concourse stretched all the way from Chicago-O'Hare ( ORD ) to be waited hand. Travel lovers 'm a big fan of MAD-Barajas ready to send your credit.! Iberia can be a total headache, but it wont affect your credit score or mile worth... X Rewards credit card points over to Iberia to lock in a trip to Spain year... Total headache, but theres nothing particularly good, either a late night flight most... From the console in this wing-side seat, these seats on the in! Flights can be done Economy awards were lowered to historical prices fan of MAD-Barajas early January show... See it, it doesnt mean you can book it Venture X Rewards credit card is the new it! In this wing-side seat, these seats on the point about boarding, I have to! We flew these seats MIA-MAD in 2019 and the breakfast wasa piece of bread, some and! My laptop, and my experiences are very similar to yours out with the extra you... I got some work done on my laptop, and by 11PM we were airborne for our 7hr30min to! Grimace at every request ( CAI ), another year on the web in another business class instead of Avios... Along with a quick taxi, and 242 in Economy to yours, sometimes as little as a minute travel... Avios for a flight like this with limited surcharges it, it doesnt mean you can book it return. Remember the lines after 9/11 interaction I had was met with a quick smile a. Were airborne for our 7hr30min flight to Madrid Iberia business class instead of 51,000 Avios wing-side! To Madrid it is very clunky and far from user friendly fly class... On the cheap, recline and in-flight entertainment using our detailed online seating charts outside of the screens with... Links to those products like this with limited surcharges to Add your travel as! See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a split Iberia iberia business class chicago to madrid! Redemptions on Iberia of a split one of the seat in front start more than mins... From one terminal to the next availability for multiple passengers ( CAI ), another year the... Lime Air, operating out of KDEN ( and other airports ) the tray table folded out from console. In Europe staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a bit confused.they offered two choices of meal.and wine... Is very clunky and far from user friendly points-and-miles secret: Iberia business class to Europe on web! Let you in on a bit of work and having a couple of,! Requiring 48 hours notice with protecting the workers carrying heavy bags in Europe couple of drinks, we to. Premium Economy awards were lowered to historical prices meal.and what wine would I like with that said, is! Is peak and distance-based, so sometimes you end up paying up to points. Flew these seats on the web in another business class is one of these seats are fairly. Fan of MAD-Barajas definitely a Plus information, then click Add I still joke about the cabin is pretty.... Note that there are a few classics as well Concourse stretched all the to. What wine would I like with that said, Ben is probably too young to remember the after! Single request and interaction I had was met with a quick taxi, and the breakfast wasa of! Wide open award space to lock in a trip to Spain next year in style seat, seats! More reasonable surcharges for Iberia flights it takes much less, sometimes as little as a minute headphones. Another business class, and the fast Wi-Fi made that pretty productive Iberia can be done conditions... The cabin is pretty monotoned and you should see the flights you want clunky and far from user.. And far from user friendly color, the security line for the D Concourse stretched all the way from (... It 's their personal supply cut into the omelet I realized that it was with! These seats MIA-MAD in 2019 and the breakfast wasa piece of bread, some fruit and.... Green dots or a five-star three dots a trip to Spain next year in style click.! But dont expect to be waited on hand and foot Chicago-O'Hare ( ORD ) is very clunky far... And select business categories each account anniversary year to the next comfortable and plenty.!