Review: Iberia IB6274 Business Class A330 Chicago to Madrid

Chicago O’Hare (ORD) – Madrid (MAD)
DEP 16:30 ARR 7:45
Duration: 8h10m
Seat number: 3C & 3G Business Class
Aircraft: IB6274 A330
Miles Redeemed: 25,500 Iberia Avios + $98 in tax (Off-Peak & 25% off 34,000 Avios promotion)
Best Ways to Redeem Iberia Plus Avios Points

On our most recent flight to Europe, we were lucky to grab two Iberia’s award seats during the 25% off award travel’s promotion. Being able to travel to Spain in Iberia’s International Business Class with just 25,500 points a ticket was an outstanding deal. Although the on board service was mediocre and the food was so so, the Business Class seats on Iberia’s A330 was nice and comfortable for the long haul 8 hours trip from Chicago to Madrid.

Welcome Aboard Iberia Business Class A330

Check-In
Iberia’s check-in counter is run by American Airlines employees. The check-in process was quick and easy as there were no lines in Business Class’s lane. After we got all checked in, we received our boarding passes and made our way through security screening and onto the new American Airlines Flagship Lounge. The lounge was beautiful and full of drinks and food, but I’ll save that for another review. After relaxing at the lounge, it was time for us to board the flight.

Variety Food at American Airlines Flagship Lounge

Business Plus Seat
After entering the aircraft and were directed to our Business Class seats, I found Iberia’s Business Class cabin was narrow and thus each Business Class seat somehow lacks privacy. The seat itself though was large, comfortable, and had plenty of legroom. The seats configuration is 1-2-1, so each seat has direct aisle access. Because I was traveling with a companion, I decided to pick the 2 seats together 3C and 3G. First thing that really caught me eyes when seated was the 15.4-inch screen that has the Spanish word “Hola” on it. I found that pretty welcoming from a Spanish airline. The space in each Business Class seat was also pretty big that comes with many functional characteristics such as seat controls, USB charger, universal power adapters, headphones, individual reading light, side personal spaces within hands reach, etc. I specially loved the concept of the tray table. It’s attached to the front upper right hand side in my seat 3G, I could take it out half way and it would look like a mini door for a little needed privacy. It’s worth mentioning too that for the 2 seats together in the middle, there’s a retractable row separator for privacy between seats. Honestly, if I were to fly Iberia’s Business Class again, I would choose the individual 1 configuration seat instead. Those individual seats look more personal and private.

Hola – Welcoming Passengers

Iberia Business Class Seat

Iberia Business Class Big Seat and Large Space

Glowing Light

Plenty of Legroom

Tray Table Can Turn Into A Mini Door For Little Privacy

Amenity Kit
After exploring the seat, I found the amenity items that were stored in the red pouch that has “Iberia Business” words on it. The amenity items are socks, eye mask, toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs, shoehorn, lip balm, moisturizer, etc. There’s no pajamas.

Service
After takeoff, I was anticipating to see how well the the crew’s service was on this European flagship airline. The customer service wasn’t the best service that I have received in the premium class cabin, but it also wasn’t a terrible one either. The crew were professional, helpful and worked pretty efficient in serving passengers. I just wish that they put on more smiles and were a little bit more friendly. But by all means, they were kind and not rude at all.

Drinks & Food
While Iberia’s Business Class had a good selection of red and white wines, I did enjoy a glass of Lar De Paula white wine that I chose when the flight attendant came to take drinks and food order from the menu. The multi-course dinner had 3 main course options to choose from. I decided on the light option: Grilled shrimp and scallops with saffron sauce with basmati parslied rice. When it arrived, I wasn’t impressed by the presentation of the dish and the taste of the meal was just so so. I had various items for starters before that and wasn’t quite fond of those either. I decided to skip the dessert because I was stuffed by then. Perhaps, I was full from all the incredible food at the American Airlines Flagship Lounge and that was why I wasn’t quite into Iberia’s Business Class food at the time, but over the course of the dinner, I found the meals were really mediocre.

Starters

Main Course

Lie-Flat Bed
After the dinning table was all cleared up and I was completely full from all the food I consumed that day, I decided to use the seat control to turn my seat into a flat bed position. With my sky bed along with the pillow and sheet ready, I put on the eye mask to try to get some sleep while the plane was cruising towards Madrid. The bed was comfortable and had ample space for me to toss around. That was definitely the way to fly for a long haul journey.

Iberia Business Class Lie-Flat Bed

Before Landing & Breakfast
When I woke up, breakfast before landing was being served. Once again, the breakfast was alright but good enough for us to start our day in Spain.

Breakfast Before Landing

Finally
We landed in Madrid in the morning. Although we had some sleep during the flight, we could not shake off the jet lag. Overall, Iberia’s Business Class A330 provides a good option to Europe from America, given their avios program’s redemption plus tax were pretty reasonable. Although the food and service were just alright to me, the Business Plus seat and space on this Airbus aircraft were big enough to enjoy a comfortable flight. I do recommend it.