Iberia

MAD-ORD. After avoiding flying long-haul with Iberia for over 5 years I thought I would give them a try again. I was pleasantly surprised. The flight to Chicago was a new Airbus A330-300 with a bright spacious interior with mood lighting modern seats ample legroom and a great tablet like in-flight entertainment system with a decent selection of movies. The on-board service was good though the main meal was mediocre: chewy chicken and a rather dry bread roll - snack prior to arrival was a big better. Other than this I would fly Iberia again.

This is a hard review to write. The flight was great good food clean cabin excellent entertainment options however most of the interaction with Iberia staff were unacceptable. It started when I tried to advance select seats. They system would not let me and I had to call Iberia. An unpleasant agent told me that since I had used a "travel agent" (actually on line booking) the "agent" had to make to selection and pay the fee. From then on it seemed as if every employee was doing the minimum customer service. When we got on a transatlantic flight the on- board entertainment system (seat back TVs) was on. Many people had their own headphones (they clearly knew the routine on Ibearia) and settled down for a movie. I finally got up and went back to a cabin attendant and asked for a headphone. he very rudely told me they would be passing them out and to sit back down. An hour later (honest) they finally passed out earphones. It was that way the entire flight. When we tried to check in online for a flight the evening before in Seville we could never get the internet system to accept our information. We went to the airport early to check in we went to a ticket agent who was very nice and sent us to the proper flight check in counter but there was no one there and several people in line. I went back to the agent and asked if there was a check in agent. He called and said "I guess they are not working yet." Yes in addition to the ticket agent a couple of agents were very friendly and helpful but overall they simply had no interest in providing acceptable customer service. So based on the mechanical equipment and food I would recommend Iberia but I would not recommend Iberia based on the customer service provided.

First and last experience with Iberia. They are by far the worse airline we have ever flown and will never use them again. They do not allow the customer to choose their seats until 24 hours prior to the flight unless you are willing to pay an additional $40.00 per ticket which they do not disclose to you until after you have made your purchase. When you finally go in 24 hours prior to your flight their system selects your seats and even if you are flying as a family they do not give you seats together forcing you to pay the $40.00 per person to change the seats at their counter which you did not even select to begin with.

17th Oct flights IB7990 and return IB7989. I flew from Portugal to Cancun via Madrid last month. I booked directly on Iberia's website and received e-mail confirmation that the ticket was booked. I received a second e- mail informing me of what entertainment features I would have aboard the Airbus A330-300 which included one screen per person in the back of the seat in front. Once we got to Madrid we found out that Iberia was doing a codeshare with a small Spanish company called Evelop! The plane belonged to Evelop and was a A330-300 however it was a charter and as such the plane was crammed with over 400 people leaving no leg room. Food aboard the plane was awful having given us some rice (no protein) at the beginning of the flight and a snack just before landing leaving us 8 hours without food or drinks. There was no TV per person instead just three monitors at the front of the plane with a very faulty sound system. To make matters worse on the way back we were denied boarding unless we paid an extra €55/person because the airport taxes were not included in the price which Iberia failed to communicate this before hand. Finally in Madrid we went to Iberia's customer support desk to raise some questions regarding the flight. After a long wait the clerk was incredibly rude and unhelpful. Her supervisor wasn't any better and shouted the whole time even though we were speaking in a calm manner. I won't be flying Iberia again!

BCN-MAD-BCN - I use the Barcelona-Madrid shuttle quite frequently and it is a great service. Check-in is fast in the Air shuttle terminal there is no security line and you can arrive at the airport just 20 minutes in advance. It is a short flight (55 minutes) that's why I prefer it over the high speed train (3 hours). The only thing I don't like is that they don't offer free drinks. It is a pity that they have cut down frequencies although there are still somewhere around 35 flights per day operated by Iberia. I would really recommend this service.

8th Nov Madrid Barajas to Venice Marco Polo flight IB3248. I fly Iberia regularly because is the only solution to fly Venice - Madrid. The flight fares are extremely overpriced and the service is comparable and sometimes worse than a low-cost airline. Ground service and check-in service has a lot to improve tickets can be bought only and exclusively by the passenger (and not from a parent or husband) because they will ask for your Credit Card at the check-in and boarding cabin food is not complimentary.

LHR-MAD-GIG. Failed to honour seat reservations I had paid extra for. Customer Service Desk unavailable at 18.00 at LHR. Customer service desk at MAD disinterested and dismissive. Airbus 340-600 economy class seats uncomfortable for length of journey. Food was by a long margin the worst I have encountered on an aircraft. Cabin crew not very attentive. Inflight entertainment excellent. I was reluctant to fly Iberia because of their poor reputation. They succeeded in fulfilling my expectations. Never again. Return journey EZE-MAD-LHR no better.

LHR-MAD-LHR. Fast check-in at both airports with friendly staff. The A321s were clean comfortable and in good condition. Lots of legroom if you sit in the front rows. Cabin crew on the outbound flight nothing special just did their job. On the return flight they were more friendly and attentive. I bought a ham sandwich on one of the flights and it was good although I still consider that the menu is a little bit overpriced. Captains on both flights were chatty and gave many details about the flight always interesting to hear them. I think Iberia is a good option given that sometimes they are not expensive at all and I think you get more service for your money comparing to low cost airlines. I repeat that if they only offered some drinks for free onboard they would be a very good choice.

On November 13 2014 I flew with Iberia (flight 6118) from Miami to Madrid Business Class. The check-in boarding and welcome by the staff was excellent very friendly and punctual. My seat was 8A which was a very private Business Class seat. As the plane's departure time was 22.50 I skipped the meal and fall asleep right-away on the fully flat bed. The breakfast just before arrival was simple but good. I will not hesitate to fly again with Iberia up and down to Miami. A great airline and the Airbus 330-300 is great. From Madrid I flew on Iberia Express to Amsterdam. The business class is very cramped but adequate for a 2 hours flight.

We booked to fly Madrid-Sao Paulo and I was very nervous about this having never used Iberia before and reading some mixed reviews. I must admit that I was even thinking of cancelling the booking after my wife had made it due to the reviews. Well having flown yesterday I can comfortably sit here in Sao Paulo this morning and say I'm glad I gave them a chance. I had a great flight! The customer service food onboard entertainment and seat comfort was great. Thank Iberia you have a new customer.