Iberia offers a decent business class product in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration on all of their long haul aircrafts. I was pretty excited to start my 1 month trip to South America by flying Iberia’s Business Plus on an A330 earlier this year. I booked a roundtrip from Madrid to South America using 85,000 avios which I earned during an incredible promotion last year. Read more about how I earned and spent 90,000 avios to know the exact booking process of this flight. I flew Iberia’s long haul business class once before in 2016 to Mexico City and was pretty satisfied about the service so I wouldn’t mind to fly them again on my trip to Medellín.
Flight: Iberia 6589
Route: Madrid (MAD) – Medellin (MDE)
Date: Wednesday January 16, 2019
Depart: 4:25PM
Arrive: 9:05PM
Duration: 10h40min
Aircraft: Airbus A330-200
Class of service: Business Plus
Check-in
Terminal 4 of Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport looks modern and impressive. Here is where Iberia and all other Oneworld airlines can be found. At noon, I arrived by subway and went directly to the Iberia business class check-in desk. After I checked in my bag, I received my boarding pass and could access the fast track security.
I was airside in no time and then took the escalator downstairs to take the train to the satellite terminal where I went through passport control. From there, I only needed to go through the duty free area to find the Iberia Premium Lounge where I should spend a few hours before my flight.
Iberia Premium Lounge Velázquez Madrid
The Iberia Velázquez Premium Lounge is Iberia’s flagship lounge and has been renovated in late 2017. I was warmly welcomed at the entrance and after showing my boarding pass, I was allowed to continue. Both sides of the lounge are equal to each other, which means that there is a buffet on each side.
Although most transatlantic flights are leaving during the day, the lounge wasn’t that crowded. The seating area looks clean and modern and every seat is equipped with a power outlet and USB plug. What I really like about this lounge is the view on the planes.
To be honest, the buffet disappointed me a bit as I didn’t find that much choices in food and beverages. First, I decided to have lunch and then to do some work in one of the working areas. I finished my time in the lounge by tasting some Spanish wines at the bar on the right side while enjoying the view on the planes.
I left the lounge about 15 minutes before boarding. My flight to Medellín was leaving from gate S37 which was about 10 minutes walking from the lounge. The gate area appeared to be crowded which means it would be a busy flight today.
Iberia A330 Business Plus Cabin
I boarded through the first door on the left of the plane and I was warmly welcomed by the crew. My flight was operated by an Airbus A330-200. The business class cabin consists of just 19 seats, spread across 5 rows in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration. Although the seats are spacious and offer a lot of privacy, the design looks a bit boring.
While window seats are perfect for those who are traveling alone, the ‘honeymoon’ seats in the center are best for those who are traveling together.
If you do not wish to see your neighbor, you can fix this by pulling up the partition. The seats are offering decent legroom and also the in-flight entertainment screens are of a decent size.
Iberia A330 Business Plus Seat
On Iberia’s A330-200, the true business class window seats are the even numbered ones and these seats are also offering the most privacy. The odd numbered aisle-facing seats are rather exposed and you should better avoid them if possible. Directly after making booking my flight, I assigned myself seat 4A.
The seats reminded me a bit of the business class seats that Garuda Indonesia has on their Boeing 777. On my seat, I found a pillow with blanket and some magazines. Magazines can also be stored in the unit on the right side of the seat. The tray table (which also can be used as a ‘door’ for even more privacy’ can be found right next to the seat on the right side.
In my opinion, the Iberia Business Plus seats are comfortable and are offering way more space than what British Airways is offering in Club World.
Since the seat is so close to the window, all of the seat’s functions such as in-flight entertainment controls with touchscreen and seat controls are located on the right side. The seat controls are easy to use and are also offering some pre-set functions. Next to the seat is also a reading light. Below the controls is a storage unit which is perfect for some glasses, a phone or wallet. The power outlets and USB plug can be found below the storage unit.
Pre Departure Service
Once most passengers were on board, flight attendants came through the cabin with newspapers, headphones and amenity kits. Inside these Iberia-branded kits, I found all the usual goodies such as earplugs, a toothbrush with toothpaste, a shoe bag, an eye mask, socks and hand cream. As a pre departure drink, I took a Villa Conchi, brut, D.O. Cava.
After the plane doors were closed we were ready to taxi to the runway. We took off with a clear blue sky and without delay.
After Take Off
About half an hour after take off, I took a look at the menu to make my choice for the main course. Flight attendants came through the cabin to take orders from the passengers. Also free wifi vouchers for 4MB were distributed but unfortunately the internet connection was not good.
I ordered yet another glass of Cava and put my seat in a more comfortable position. Nuts and a glass of water were also brought to me.
In-Flight Dining
About half an hour later, my starter was served. I certainly liked the presentation. The crew also offered me another Cava and water.
The meal consisted of spinach and cranberry salad as well as majorero goat’s cheese with Santa Teresa quince paste and white grapes. Very tasty!
The starter was served with a delicious gazpacho soup, something I really love! Also warm bread and extra virgin olive oil were served.
The salmon tasted very well, for sure one of my favorite fish dishes. I barely finished my starter when a flight attendant came to ask me to switch to one of their delicious wines. I love red wine and went for a glass of Valtravieso Crianza. The crew was certainly friendly and interested in my trip.
There were 3 options for the main course. I could have chosen for the Mozzarella pasta meal or Cod in Biscoy sauce with steamed baby Broccoli, but I went for the Pork knuckle with soya, ginger and honey sauce, roasted potatoes and onions.
This certainly tasted not bad. I realized that Iberia has improved their food on board in Business Plus, compared with a few years ago. For dessert, I took a muffin flavored ice cream with crushed wafers.
This tasted certainly refreshing after all the delicious food. To finish, I took a coffee and decided to also take a whisky. The flight attendant also brought a bottle of water to me for the turndown service.
Turndown Service
Iberia features 2 business class restrooms on their A330-200. One restroom is located in front of the cabin on the left side and the second in the rear of the cabin on the right side. When I came back, I put my seat in flat bed mode.
I grabbed my in-flight entertainment control with touchscreen and browsed the entertainment selection. I was impressed by the large selection of movies and series that were offered. Also, I noticed that the system is very fast, compared to in-flight entertainments systems of other airlines.
Pre Arrival Service
About one hour before landing, flight attendants started with serving the pre arrival meal. This consisted of ibérico ham and chorizo sausage, chicken breast and cheese with tomato and extra-virgin alive oil with seasonal fresh fruit. This was served with some bread. For drink, I took another Valtravieso Crianza red wine.
The food certainly tasted not bad and the quantity was way more than during my previous flight with Iberia a few years ago. After I took yet another wine, the pilot started the decent into Medellín. Once on the ground, I thanked the crew for the excellent service on board and I left the plane.
Iberia A330 Business Plus Bottom Line
Iberia has certainly improved their service in Business Plus over the past few years. The Velázquez Premium Lounge in Madrid is always a nice place to work and relax before boarding. I really like the view on the planes here but unfortunately the buffet disappointed me a bit this time. Iberia’s Business Plus seats are offering a lot of space and privacy and are perfect for both solo travelers and those who are traveling together. However, you’d better avoid the aisle seats..
The flight attendants during this flight were friendly and certainly available to make sure the passenger is taken care of. The food during this flight was certainly better compared to my experience with Iberia Business Plus in 2016. Iberia is a popular airline for flights between Europe and Latin America and even flies to Shanghai and Tokyo since a few years. I can recommend their Business Plus product for sure, although they can’t compete with some Asian and Middle-Eastern airlines.
What’s your experience with Iberia Business Plus? Have you flown them already or are you planning to make a flight with them? Let me know your questions and thoughts in the comments below!
