Iberia

10/20/12 - JFK-MAD IB6250 A340-600 10/28/12 - MAD-JFK IB6253. Both legs cabin crew were efficient and professional. Aircraft were well maintained and service was appropriate no frills though.

FCO-MAD-SCL. First leg Rome-Madrid more than 3 hours delayed then on board on an quite old and dirty A321. We arrived in Madrid having just 40 mins to change the terminal and take the second leg to Santiago de Chile. Aircraft was a new and really clean A340-600. 13 hours non-stop flight without any major trouble landed in Santiago 20 minutes after the scheduled time. Food and beverage excellent staff helpful and professional but no IFE so take a book or a kindle with you.

Very disappointed with IB especially as they are part of the BA/IAG group. I booked on their website and went out to MAD with BA - at least we got a sandwich and free drink. Onward to Las Palmas boarding was chaotic too much hand luggage allowed on board and they charge for all refreshments. Return flight to London both sectors on IB no boarding by seat rows so aisles congested far too much hand luggage allowed so overhead bins full before all had boarded. Steward tried to take our coats and bag and put them elsewhere to accommodate an oversized bag - not acceptable. If I book with 1world again I will make sure that we do not fly IB they have a lot to put right.

ORD-MAD-BLQ. From previous reviews I was dreading this flight. but very happily surprised! On-time boarding efficient and smiling staff but the best was one the most comfortable Economy seat. A new clean A340-600 - catering good and plentiful. There is a total lack of IFE although in 2012 with a bit of pre- preparation on the iPad that's not such an issue. The ability to sleep in comfortable seats makes up for the lack of IFE. Madrid Airport is modern its also massive and transiting involves an incredible mix of travelators elevators train and walking long distances. Its a downside few people speak English and they're quite surly. CRJ to Bologna on-time and half empty. Luggage was out quickly. A very pleasant surprise and would definitely do this again.

BRU-MAD-MVD-MAD-BRU C Class old tatty planes. Still better service within their inter Europe legs. They should not be allowed to call that Airbus A340 business class service. Vile lounge managed by rude staff. Once on board service is done by an ill treating cabin crew. Tasteless and Vile food which I have had the unfortunate opportunity to taste 6 times this year alone and have twice yet again to fly with them and of course once upon arrival found out they have lost my suitcase. Have repeatedly complained about their service both written and orally on board to HQ and they just nod and agree.

Having purchased through tickets for all six members of my family Toulouse to Lanzarote via Madrid I checked my luggage allowance at the desk at Toulouse Airport two weeks before the flight and was told that as a British Airways gold executive card holder I was entitled to an additional piece of luggage for each of my family members travelling with me; the agent even updated the reservation system to show this. Checking in with only one extra bag the check in agent firstly was not aware of the family allowance which is the same as for Iberia Plus high tier cardholders but did give me my extra bag - but as second leg was to be with Iberia Express the system would not allow them to include the extra bag on the second leg nor check any bags through to Lanzarote. At Madrid they checked my bags in and tried to charge me EUR60for the extra bag. I refuted this and they checked in the bags with no extra charge only following discussion. I had further discussions with very responsive transfer agents at Madrid who explained that this is a major issue with Iberia Express connecting flights. I am expecting to have the unfortunate experience on my return journey. If Iberia cannot provide the same service on all subsidiary companies they should not sell tickets for the through journey without making it abundantly clear on the that Iberia Express operates to entirely different rules and is not accepting other high tier OneWorld frequent flyer cardholders' allowances. May I add that at Madrid my lounge access was permitted for the and that both lounge and transfer desk agents were very sympathetic to my predicament and tried their best to penetrate the Iberia Express barriers in the system although to no avail.

We flew Business Plus from LAX to Madrid return in Oct 2012. I was nervous about Iberia given poor reviews. The flat bed seats were great and the food good on the outbound but very good on the return. The service was fine. We took a flight from Madrid to Rome and from Barcelona to Madrid. Business was fine. We wouldn't hesitate to fly Iberia again. The entertainment systems don't have many good movies so bring your kindle.

Madrid-Seville. IB EXPRESS return. Flights on time early arrival. Crew young and very nice. Low cost service. Bags on belt just 10 min after arrival.

Frankfurt to Gran Canaria via Madrid. Check-in in Frankfurt very smooth but my wife and I couldn't get seats together. Seats were quite comfy made of leather but head rest wasn't movable so was hard to sleep. All flights on time. The biggest thing to complain about is the service in Economy class. Drinks and snacks are available for cash only. Most passengers brought their own meals on board. FAs were friendly. From Madrid to Gran Canaria we sat together. Service again was cash only. From Gran Canaria to Madrid we couldn't sit together. FAs were unfriendly. Would use Iberia only if there is no other choice.

Rio - Madrid - Geneva. Flight from Rio was one hour late but the staff onboard were perfect. The food was excellent and the Airbus 340 seemed less noisy than others. Breakfast served one hour prior to landing so we had plenty of time to sleep with no silly announcements. Second leg was very smooth as well. The only glitch is the poor onboard entertainment with very little choice. Overall I would recommend them again.