This series covers a two-week vacation to Europe that will feature stops in SOF, BEG, TIV, LIS, ARN, and ATH. For background and planning, please refer back to Part 1. As a reminder, the routing for this series is:
Part 1 – IAH-IAD [UA 373, Boeing B767-300ER, Economy] – Here Part 2 – IAD-MUC [UA 106, Boeing B767-400ER, Economy] – Here Part 3 – MUC-SOF [LH 1702, Airbus A321, Economy] – Here Part 4 – SOF-BEG [JU 123, Aérospatiale/Alenia ATR 72-200, Economy] – Here Part 5 – BEG-TIV [YM 201, Fokker F100, Economy] – Here Part 6 – TIV-BEG [YM 202, Fokker F100, Economy] – Here Part 7 – BEG-LHR [JU 380, Airbus A319, Business] – Here Part 8 – LHR-MAD [IB 3167, Airbus A330-300, Business] – You are here Part 9 – MAD-LIS [IB 3118, Airbus A321, Business] – Here Part 10 – LIS-LHR [BA 499, Airbus A320, Business] – Here Part 11 – LHR-ARN [BA 780, Boeing B767-300ER, Business] – Here Part 12 – ARN-BEG [JU 411, Airbus A319, Business] – Here Part 13 – BEG-ATH [JU 512, Airbus A319, Business] – Here Part 14 – ATH-IST [TK 1850, Boeing B737-900ER, Economy] – Here Part 15 – IST-ATH [TK 1843, Boeing B737-800, Economy] – Here Part 16 – ATH-FRA [A3 830, Airbus A321, Economy] – Here Part 17 – FRA-IAH [UA 47, Boeing B787-900, EconomyPlus] – Here
Tourist Bonuses:
Sofia – Part 4 Kotor – Part 6 Belgrade – Part 7 Lisbon – Part 9 Sintra – Part 10 Stockholm – Part 12 Athens – Part 16
This report will cover the flight from LHR to MAD, which is a BA flight operated by IB. This route is the BA/IB hub connection and there are frequent flights almost hourly. I picked this flight in order to catch the IB A333 since most of these flights are on narrow-bodies. This flight was part of an AA award ticket.
Pre-flight:
I left off the last report as I was heading towards the Heathrow Express to transfer from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5. The Heathrow Express is crowded since it is free for terminal transfers. I think it is overpriced for trips into London, but the train is clean.
Exiting the train, I took the elevator up to the check-in level in Terminal 5. It is large and open, but very crowded since it handles all the BA flights.
It wasn’t clearly marked where the priority check-in area was, but I eventually found it on the far southern end of the terminal. Trying to use my AA info on the self-serve kiosk was a huge failure. AA and BA do not communicate well. I could never change my seats on BA’s website. I had to use QF’s website in order to assign my seats for these flights since AA and QF have good communications. The kiosk error messages prompted me to go to the service counter and I eventually found it. The agent was able to quickly override the system and check me in and tag my bag.
With boarding passes in hand, I head towards LHR’s crappy security. The South entrance (near priority check-in) is not as crowded as the North entrance. The practice they use where 4 people fill trays at the same time is absolutely retarded and can’t possible be more efficient than one person at a time. I think anyone that has had to sit there and wait >5 minutes for a gap on the conveyer belt understands what I’m talking about…
Eventually, I finally get dumped airside. Tons of shops line LHR’s Terminal 5, Concourse A.
This terminal was supposedly rated the “best in the world,” but it is disgustingly crowded. Looking at the FIDS, you understand why. They only announce gates (and concourses) for flights 50 minutes before departure so everyone is loitering in the same area waiting for the gate to be announced. My flight leaves at 18:30, so the FIDS states I won’t know the gate (and concourse) until 17:40.
The result of this policy is a completely crowded terminal with no free seating areas.
The BA Lounges aren’t much better. Reaching the BA Galleries North, there is a long line to enter. My boarding pass is eventually scanned I’m met with a lounge with no open seating areas.
Everyone’s favorite blue LED lights on the press.
The only open space I could find with some privacy was some computers in the corner.
The lunch offerings were out, so I was able to get a little bit of food to snack on while I worked on Part 1 of this series. Interesting observation, I was getting the coffee and I noticed a lady making tea while at the same time grabbing a handful of tea bags (~10-15) to stuff into her purse.
The lines for the bathrooms in the lounges were also long. I eventually got in. The bathrooms are weird since they look like an airplane lavatory and are individual use.
The only cool thing about the bathroom was the BOAC picture on the wall.
After 2 hours in the BA Galleries North, I walked over to the BA Galleries South. The entrance to the BA Galleries South.
This lounge wasn’t as crowded, but was still fairly full.
My second snack offering while I watched New Zealand upset India in cricket.
My documents.
At 17:20, my flight still didn’t have a gate listed, but the FIDS stated it was departing from Concourse C so I left the lounge.
I took the one-way train to Concourse C. FYI, like some other airports, this is one-directional so don’t go to a different Concourse unless your plane is leaving from there. ICN comes to mind…
How do you “lose” a sandal at an airport? You wouldn’t notice this?
Walking around Concourse C, I see my beautiful ride down to MAD. Our IB A333 is in the old livery.
Even though my plane is sitting there, LHR still won’t declare the gate. Completely retarded.
I made a loop of Concourse C to do some spotting.
BA B789.
BA B772.
BA B744.
BA A380.
BA A321.
BA B788.
BA B789 getting its windshields squeegeed.
The seating areas in Concourse C.
So, I think LHR is the only airport in the world I have seen this in the bathrooms… I was speechless.
Finally, at 17:40 my gate was listed (no surprises since the plane was already sitting at C56).
——————————-
British Airways, BA 522 Equipment: Airbus A330-300 [EC-LUK “Costa Rica”, delivered February 2013] Departure: 18:30 (ATD: 18:47) Arrival: 21:55 (ATA: 21:52) Flight time: 2:05
Right on time, boarding started up for my flight. I joined the queue for priority boarding.
The jetbridge.
There was press available at the end of the jetbridge.
The entrance.
Two FAs are there to check my boarding pass. They welcome me onboard and direct me through the galley and to the left. Entering the IB cabin for the first time. These seats are identical to the OZ seats.
My seat.
The view down the aisle from my seat.
The empty side table with reading light.
Details of the antimacassar and upholstery.
The IFE controls, seat controls, and adjustable armrest.
Below the side table are the power/AV connections and a cup holder for water bottles.
The IFE was large and crisp.
The ottoman.
Below the ottoman is a little pocket for the magazines. Marathon will be happy IB does not call it “literature.”
The in-flight magazines.
IB fleet and details of the A333. I never knew they had ATRs.
Below the tray table is the safety card, barf bag, and an old menu from a different flight (your experience may differ^^).
Safety card for this IB A333.
The FAs came through and handed out headphones.
Second interesting point, the gentleman across the aisle opened up his carry-on bag and pulled out 4 bags of chips from the BA Lounge and ate all 4 of the bags during the boarding/taxing process. Clearly few people read the signs not to remove food/drinks from the lounges.
The IFE is available immediately so you can start watching programs during boarding. The content wasn’t that great, but was the same as the long-haul offering. If this was a long-haul flight, I might be really concerned.
I opted for Top Chef Spain.
As we pushed back, the safety video played.
We backed up on time and were quickly aligning onto the runway.
Mood-lighting for take-off.
We lifted up over Terminal 4.
Crossing through the clouds where the sun was setting over the Atlantic.
Leveling off, the FAs came through the cabin and handed out vouchers for 4MB of free WiFi. For basic e-mail/messaging this a decent amount for a 2-hour flight.
The drink/meal carts soon followed. The FA asked me if I wanted pasta or chicken (very Y feeling). I asked for the pasta and a beer. My tray as delivered.
The salad was nothing special. There was a balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing for it.
The pasta main. The pasta was pretty bad. The sauce was watery and tasteless. The vegetables were also tasteless. It was not a good meal and the pasta dish I got on UA in Y was infinitely better.
The cheese plate. It was about as good as it looks.
The mini 250-mL beer cans.
The cutlery.
Packaged wet towel that was on the tray.
The packaged dessert. I didn’t even open it up so I can’t comment on the taste, but at least it was from “the heart of the hills.”
After that bland meal, my tray was cleared and the FA offered coffee/tea. I took coffee, which is served on this nice tray with a chocolate.
I made a quick trip to the bathroom, which was clean and still adorned with some long-haul touches like this flower and butterfly.
I spent the rest of the flight watching TV in a nice lounging position with the mood lighting.
While I was sitting there, the FA did propose another cup of coffee, which I accepted. The IB crew was not very friendly, they felt like they were just doing their jobs and nothing more.
Flying past Valladolid as we start our descent.
Our route tonight.
The only connecting flight was mine to LIS. I guess everyone else was terminating in MAD.
Even with a 22:00 arrival, we had some ATC delays and had to do one loop before continuing our approach into MAD.
We landed slightly early.
Taxing to T4S, I spotted IB A346s in new and old liveries.
We pulled into our gate.
Welcome to Madrid.
Deplaning, the FAs wished me a goodnight. MAD looks nice with the wood ceilings. However, with only 50 minutes for a connection and an endless 1 km walk to passport control, I didn’t have time to enjoy it.
Thankfully, both passport control and security were empty and I was quickly through.
Taking the train from T4S to T4.
Murals as I enter T4.
Upstairs, I head towards the H gates.
I’ll leave off this series here as I head towards my gate for my flight from MAD to LIS. Tune into the next report for the short hop from MAD to LIS and a bonus on Lisbon.
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Verdict
Iberia
7.4/10
Cabin9.0
Cabin crew6.0
Entertainment/wifi9.5
Meal/catering5.0
British Airways (North) Galleries Club - 5A
6.8/10
Comfort6.0
Meal/catering6.0
Entertainment/wifi9.0
Services6.0
London - LHR
4.8/10
Efficiency2.0
Access5.0
Services4.0
Cleanliness8.0
Madrid - MAD
8.5/10
Efficiency10.0
Access8.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness9.0
Conclusion
My first time flying on IB metal and it didn't deviate too far from what it's reputation is. It was fairly unremarkable flight with a distant crew and a subpar meal. The only pros were getting an A333 on this LHR-MAD shuttle.
Cabin comfort: Wide-body aircraft with real J cabins on an intra-European route is always a treat. No pillow/blanket offered, but a clean and comfortable flat-bed seat on a 2-hour flight.
Crew: Not very engaging or present mid-flight. IB crews are not up to the level of the BA crews I've encountered.
Meal and catering: No PDB and no menu. The tray was pretty disappointing, UA's Y meals are better. The food was tasteless and a packaged dessert is very poor. The only nice part of the catering was the little coffee trays served with chocolates.
Entertainment: Standard seatback literature. The selection on IB is not great for English speakers, but for a flight of this length, it was more than enough (I'd criticize this more on a TATL). The free 4MB of WiFi is a nice gesture and enough data to check e-mails during the flight.
On-time performance: We left right on time and landed on time despite entering a holding pattern briefly before arriving into MAD.
1 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Thanks for sharing the next report in your series, NGO85.
Looks like it was a nice flight for flying, but the food definitely looks pretty disappointing for J on Iberia. I'm surprised they didn't offer something a bit more substantial on this flight.
but the food definitely looks pretty disappointing for J on Iberia. - There was a complete lack of quantity and quality. I really dislike being served things in plastic wrap and getting pre-packaged desserts. The main was very watery and the sauce had no flavor. BA is definitely the much stronger carrier on this route.
Aside from the usual LHR T5 chaos, your flight experience on Iberia summarizes why I always make sure my LHR<>MAD segments are BA operated and strictly not on IB.
your flight experience on Iberia summarizes why I always make sure my LHR<>MAD segments are BA operated and strictly not on IB. - I only picked this flight for the A333. If it was picking between narrow-bodies, I would definitely go with BA operated flights. There is no comparison between BA and IB service.
Waiting for your LIS experience :) - Are you expecting a bad experience?
I can't understand why LHR (and MAN, and apparently most other British airports) withholds the gate number this way. It is a pain in the neck, literally when you are waiting looking up to the FIDS for that information. I really wonder whom they ask about their flight info quality to obtain a 4/5 grade - see the panel next to the gate info at your gate. (I place that into the services and activities rating and would not rate it 8)
Thanks for the hint about ICN (I once mused that it might be interesting for foreign plane spotting reasons to go to the satellite in case of a long layover there. KE's policy of closed window blinds in flight is unlikely to have me connect there again, though)
Let's assume that sandal had been loosely attached outside the daypack of a careless and hurried passenger.
LHR sells them in the toilets, and DPS sells them in a shop across the boarding gates - see my DPS-ICN report. Is that a hint about where they are commonly used in these airports, respectively ? ;)
Was the chocolate offered with the coffee from the hills too ? ^^
Thanks for the friendly wink on board, and for the whole report !
I can't understand why LHR (and MAN, and apparently most other British airports) withholds the gate number this way. It is a pain in the neck, literally when you are waiting looking up to the FIDS for that information. - Then when your gate shows up on the FIDS, it is a dash to get to your gate knowing it will board 15 minutes after the gate shows up. I understand it helps alleviate some last minute gate changes, but still not a great excuse.
I place that into the services and activities rating and would not rate it 8 - Oh, okay, that makes sense to include the gate information services provided into that category.
I once mused that it might be interesting for foreign plane spotting reasons to go to the satellite in case of a long layover there. - I am shocked that you of all people have never wandered over there. The signage was not clear from my memory (which is also reflected by the huge number of people that end up over there and need to be escorted back). It's worth it not only for the plane spotting, but the private tour of the bowels of ICN as you walk back.
LHR sells them in the toilets, and DPS sells them in a shop across the boarding gates - I have no problem if they are sold in bulk at DPS in the duty free store ;)
Was the chocolate offered with the coffee from the hills too ? ^^ - Probably smuggled from South America on the previous flight this plane operated^^
The Heathrow Express is crowded since it is free for terminal transfers. -> Your pictures show that it's rather empty. :P
The AAdvantage Platinum card gives you OW Sapphire only ? As good as my free topbonus Gold card. ^^
FYI, like some other airports, this is one-directional so don’t go to a different Concourse unless your plane is leaving from there. ICN comes to mind… -> Indeed…
So, I think LHR is the only airport in the world I have seen this in the bathrooms… I was speechless. -> There's the same at DUB T2. At least the terminal operator worries about your health. lol
Clearly few people read the signs not to remove food/drinks from the lounges. -> Clearly most people are rude and don't care about rules.
The IB product isn't much attractive on this route, the only good point is to fly a wide body for a european flight.
Your pictures show that it's rather empty. :P - I volunteered to join the cleaning crew after everyone got off ;)
The AAdvantage Platinum card gives you OW Sapphire only? - Gold is the bottom tier for AA (OW Ruby), so Platinum is Sapphire, and Executive Platinum is Emerald. Adan and Kevin are both ExPlats, I'm just a lowly Plat.
Indeed… - At least you got to go to the lounge at ICN... When I got to the KE Lounge over there, they immediately called security to escort me back, lol^^
At least the terminal operator worries about your health. lol - I wonder if it is government mandated in the British Isles. It just seems out of place at an airport of all places, unless you are flying NZ on the SkyCouchs ;)
The IB product isn't much attractive on this route - BA > IB, which is true in all travel classes^^ I would be very careful picking flights based on operator for this route.
Thank you for sharing this interesting FR with us!
My flight leaves at 16:30 - Wasn't that BA464 (code-shared JL7703)? You were on BA522.
Finally, at 15:40 my gate was listed - I thought you said the gate gets listed 50 minutes prior to departure and not 2h 50 minutes before departue :).
Fantastic spotting shots from LHR!
The cabin looks nice, I definitely fancy the colours used in the cabin. The privacy of the seats next to the aisle is questionable.
Stunning aerial shots! It's pretty interesting to observe the transition from darkness below the clouds to some more light with a sunset above the clouds.
Catering is obviously a disappointment on this flight. It doesn't look like the pasta was cooked well.
I spotted IB A343s in new and old liveries. - There are no IB 343s in the new livery :), the remaining ones are being replaced by 332s. The birds you spotted were both A346s, nice shots!
The terminal design inside MAD is very interesting.
Thank you once again for sharing a very unique FR with us and I genuinely enjoyed reading it with all of its detail :).
Wasn't that BA464 (code-shared JL7703)? You were on BA522. and I thought you said the gate gets listed 50 minutes prior to departure and not 2h 50 minutes before departue :). - Both were clerical errors converting to 24h time. There is a LHR-MAD flight almost hourly, most seem to be on IB metal regardless of flight numbers.
Fantastic spotting shots from LHR! - Be careful, there is no spotting from the main concourse where you have to wait in T5. You can only get good shots if you move out the B and C gates.
It's pretty interesting to observe the transition from darkness below the clouds to some more light with a sunset above the clouds. - That's because LHR is always cloudy ;)
It doesn't look like the pasta was cooked well. - 'Soggy' was the first word that came to my mind when eating that meal.
The birds you spotted were both A346s, nice shots! - Too hard to tell at night, they didn't look long enough to me. Although given the ratio of A343s to A346s in the IB fleet, I clearly was not rational in my guess.
The terminal design inside MAD is very interesting. - It's the same architect as T5 at LHR, but the MAD T4 looks far superior. He also won the bid to do the new terminal at TPE.
First of all, I suggest you to change the flight number and operating airline of the report, you flew on IB3167 and the flight was operated by IB. The flight is codeshared with BA and the flight number BA522 it's BA's.
I have flown this route many times, both on BA and IB, and in my opinion BA is better in economy (mainly due to free food and drinks), but in J Iberia is way better, as they serve a hot entree while BA don't. It seems that you didn't get a nice meal, but the times I have flown on IB I had either steak or nice pasta (e.g. with seafood stuffing) and printed menus were handed out (no menus on BA from my experience). I agree that packaged dessert looks terribly cheap. In regard to crews, it's a hit or miss, some of them are very professional and nice, and others should get retrained.
I always try to take the IB wide body flight, as I particularly enjoy the IFE.
I suggest you to change the flight number and operating airline of the report - Done.
in J Iberia is way better, as they serve a hot entree while BA don't. - BA doesn't serve hot entrees? Any 2+ hour flight I've taken with BA has had a hot entree in J. Not to spoil the next report, but the entree was much better on the MAD-LIS sector, but the rest of the tray was the same.
printed menus were handed out (no menus on BA from my experience). - The menu I show in my picture (left in the side pocket) was from the MAD-LHR flight before mine and the entrees looked much better on the menu than what was served ex-LHR. I think some of the consistency issues might be where the flight is being catered from, which makes no sense in this case since LHR is now a quasi IB hub.
I always try to take the IB wide body flight, as I particularly enjoy the IFE. - It was the main reason why I took this flight and not an earlier flight from LHR to MAD too. It's a much more pleasant experience being on a wide-body than a standard A320/321.
AA and BA do not communicate well. I could never change my seats on BA’s website. - Strange. I never had a problem with BA's site in my experience.
I think anyone that has had to sit there and wait >5 minutes for a gap on the conveyer belt understands what I’m talking about… - I have only experienced going thru security as a connecting passenger and it was bad and redundant. I almost missed my connection and I thought that I had plenty of time. This was one of the reasons that I have ditched BA.
The result of this policy is a completely crowded terminal with no free seating areas. - Sure doesn't feel like a world class hub of a major carrier.
The BA Lounges aren’t much better. Reaching the BA Galleries North, there is a long line to enter. - Isn't this right after security and the first lounge that everyone encounters once inside? If so no wonder it gets crowded.
Everyone’s favorite blue LED lights on the press. - So out of character.
Interesting observation, I was getting the coffee and I noticed a lady making tea while at the same time grabbing a handful of tea bags (~10-15) to stuff into her purse. - This seems to happen quite often at the BA Galleries from what I've read.
The bathrooms are weird since they look like an airplane lavatory and are individual use. - Ah...were you expecting communal showers? ;)
My documents. - Nice Doc. ;) I'm debating whether I should have a title on mine, like MSTR for monster. :P
How do you “lose” a sandal at an airport? You wouldn’t notice this?: - Perhaps running to catch a connection? I've seen people run like stampede the last time that I connected through LHR.
Our IB A333 is in the old livery. - A beauty indeed. Why on earth did IB has to mess it up with a new one? Same for LA.
So, I think LHR is the only airport in the world I have seen this in the bathrooms… I was speechless. - Do you get so easily shocked? ;) I have seen them in SFO too.
These seats are identical to the OZ seats. - Very nice cabin. Too bad that I missed the chance to fly on one but in the end I chose to spend more little lounge hopping than flying on a larger plane. To each his own. ;)
Second interesting point, the gentleman across the aisle opened up his carry-on bag and pulled out 4 bags of chips from the BA Lounge and ate all 4 of the bags during the boarding/taxing process. Clearly few people read the signs not to remove food/drinks from the lounges. - Maybe he didn't speak English. :P Isn't it presumptuous to assume that everyone does?
The pasta was pretty bad. The sauce was watery and tasteless. The vegetables were also tasteless. It was not a good meal and the pasta dish I got on UA in Y was infinitely better. - Not worthy of a J cabin.
The cheese plate. It was about as good as it looks. - Where's the single grape?
The packaged dessert. I didn’t even open it up so I can’t comment on the taste, but at least it was from “the heart of the hills.” - Would you have preferred it to say from our heart to yours? :P
I took coffee, which is served on this nice tray with a chocolate. - This is a nice detail on IB's part.
MAD looks nice with the wood ceilings - One of the most interesting airports from a visually aesthetics perspective. Perhaps you will get a chance to enjoy it more on your next trip there.
Thanks Michael for sharing this continuation of your series.
Strange. I never had a problem with BA's site in my experience. - I had even more trouble checking in for the LIS-LHR flight. QF is always my go to website for all OW ticket handling. Don't know why, they seem to be well synched with everyone.
I have only experienced going thru security as a connecting passenger - It is worse if you are connecting terminals, the bus drivers are almost as bad as the ones at IST. This connection was at least a landside connection, which was fairly smooth with a fast track ticket.
Isn't this right after security and the first lounge that everyone encounters once inside? If so no wonder it gets crowded. - It's near the more crowded North entrance, but the South entrance is where all the priority counters are. So my reasoning was that the South lounge would be crowded, but that was incorrect assumption. The North has better views, but the South is larger.
This seems to happen quite often at the BA Galleries from what I've read. - They'll probably switch to Lipton in the future to eliminate this problem ;)
Ah...were you expecting communal showers? ;) - I was expecting a normal bathroom. The second time I needed to go, I just left the lounge to use the normal one in the terminal because the line was 15 people long waiting to use the bathroom, which is absurd for a lounge.
I'm debating whether I should have a title on mine, like MSTR for monster. :P
I've seen people run like stampede the last time that I connected through LHR. - That was my guess. It's like a sprint once your gate is announced if you aren't leaving from an A gate. It is such a disorganized and chaotic terminal. It is not close to being as elegant as MAD.
Same for LA. - Which LA livery are you talking about? The one with the red arc over the wings?
Do you get so easily shocked? ;) - It's just not a place I would expect to see them. This isn't a truck stop in rural Texas or a club in Miami... As I mentioned to Clement, NZ sends SkyCouchs to LHR, maybe that's the reason ;)
I chose to spend more little lounge hopping than flying on a larger plane. To each his own. ;) - I was in LHR for 6+ hours on this layover so there was plenty of lounge time. I should have taken an earlier flight to MAD and then seen the IB lounges at MAD.
Maybe he didn't speak English. :P Isn't it presumptuous to assume that everyone does? - He was British and spoke English to the FA, not very presumptuous at all ;)
Not worthy of a J cabin - Any mainland Chinese domestic flight would get a better entree in Y.
Where's the single grape? - In the wine?
Would you have preferred it to say from our heart to yours? :P - Or at least from the Keebler elves.
One of the most interesting airports from a visually aesthetics perspective. - I can't wait to see what they do with the new TPE terminal.
They'll probably switch to Lipton in the future to eliminate this problem ;): - Oh they will still get snatched. Compulsive behaviors are not brand selective.
Which LA livery are you talking about? The one with the red arc over the wings? - No, I am referring to the present one. The new LATAM one is rather insipid in my opinion.
Totally missed this report. Nice to see a FR on Iberia's widebody hub-to-hub service!
"It is large and open, but very crowded since it handles all the BA flights." - As large as T5 is, it can't even handle all of BA's flights. BA has quite a few flights going out of T3.
" I think it is overpriced for trips into London, but the train is clean." - The HEX is ridiculously overpriced to get to London. I'll only take it if I'm in a big rush. Usually just take the Heathrow connect. It's much cheaper and doesn't take that much longer.
"They only announce gates (and concourses) for flights 50 minutes before departure so everyone is loitering in the same area waiting for the gate to be announced. " - I absolutely hate that about British Airports--it creates such a mess. I really don't know what the point is of keeping everyone in the same area and announcing the gate last minute. Just silly.
"How do you “lose” a sandal at an airport? You wouldn’t notice this?" - running late for a flight? Hard to run in those things, LOL
"So, I think LHR is the only airport in the world I have seen this in the bathrooms… I was speechless." - Gotta be prepared to join the Mile High Club ^^ Come to think of it, I think I've seen some in CDG T1 before
The cabin looks good overall, if just a little on the bland side. Great night shots on takeoff--how did you get such good shots with such low light and fast movement? Manual ISO and aperture settings?
Not particularly impressed with the catering. It's no better than what you would get in the U.S. on a similar length flight. The general thought is that, Euro Biz seats are crappy, but catering is better in Europe, but I don't think that true so much anymore. U.S. airlines have upped their games, and European airlines have been downgrading.
"The only connecting flight was mine to LIS. I guess everyone else was terminating in MAD." - With that late of an arrival time, it's not surprising. I'm amazed that you had a connecting flight with such a late departure. I guess it's a short flight that probably spends the night in LIS.
The plane is amazing for this kind of trips, the cabin is so perfect and in 2 hours you wanna fly more. But i cant understand why Iberia offer this mini cains of soft drinks,. When i fly im so shame is to ask and ask again softs drinks. Nice report and yes, the past doenst look tasty.
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346 reviews
17 Comments
Looks like it was a nice flight for flying, but the food definitely looks pretty disappointing for J on Iberia. I'm surprised they didn't offer something a bit more substantial on this flight.
Looking forward to the next part.
but the food definitely looks pretty disappointing for J on Iberia.
- There was a complete lack of quantity and quality. I really dislike being served things in plastic wrap and getting pre-packaged desserts. The main was very watery and the sauce had no flavor. BA is definitely the much stronger carrier on this route.
Aside from the usual LHR T5 chaos, your flight experience on Iberia summarizes why I always make sure my LHR<>MAD segments are BA operated and strictly not on IB.
Waiting for your LIS experience :)
your flight experience on Iberia summarizes why I always make sure my LHR<>MAD segments are BA operated and strictly not on IB.
- I only picked this flight for the A333. If it was picking between narrow-bodies, I would definitely go with BA operated flights. There is no comparison between BA and IB service.
Waiting for your LIS experience :)
- Are you expecting a bad experience?
I really wonder whom they ask about their flight info quality to obtain a 4/5 grade - see the panel next to the gate info at your gate.
(I place that into the services and activities rating and would not rate it 8)
Thanks for the hint about ICN (I once mused that it might be interesting for foreign plane spotting reasons to go to the satellite in case of a long layover there. KE's policy of closed window blinds in flight is unlikely to have me connect there again, though)
Let's assume that sandal had been loosely attached outside the daypack of a careless and hurried passenger.
LHR sells them in the toilets, and DPS sells them in a shop across the boarding gates - see my DPS-ICN report. Is that a hint about where they are commonly used in these airports, respectively ? ;)
Was the chocolate offered with the coffee from the hills too ? ^^
Thanks for the friendly wink on board, and for the whole report !
- Then when your gate shows up on the FIDS, it is a dash to get to your gate knowing it will board 15 minutes after the gate shows up. I understand it helps alleviate some last minute gate changes, but still not a great excuse.
I place that into the services and activities rating and would not rate it 8
- Oh, okay, that makes sense to include the gate information services provided into that category.
I once mused that it might be interesting for foreign plane spotting reasons to go to the satellite in case of a long layover there.
- I am shocked that you of all people have never wandered over there. The signage was not clear from my memory (which is also reflected by the huge number of people that end up over there and need to be escorted back). It's worth it not only for the plane spotting, but the private tour of the bowels of ICN as you walk back.
LHR sells them in the toilets, and DPS sells them in a shop across the boarding gates
- I have no problem if they are sold in bulk at DPS in the duty free store ;)
Was the chocolate offered with the coffee from the hills too ? ^^
- Probably smuggled from South America on the previous flight this plane operated^^
Thanks for stopping by Marathon!
The Heathrow Express is crowded since it is free for terminal transfers. -> Your pictures show that it's rather empty. :P
The AAdvantage Platinum card gives you OW Sapphire only ? As good as my free topbonus Gold card. ^^
FYI, like some other airports, this is one-directional so don’t go to a different Concourse unless your plane is leaving from there. ICN comes to mind… -> Indeed…
So, I think LHR is the only airport in the world I have seen this in the bathrooms… I was speechless. -> There's the same at DUB T2. At least the terminal operator worries about your health. lol
Clearly few people read the signs not to remove food/drinks from the lounges. -> Clearly most people are rude and don't care about rules.
The IB product isn't much attractive on this route, the only good point is to fly a wide body for a european flight.
Your pictures show that it's rather empty. :P
- I volunteered to join the cleaning crew after everyone got off ;)
The AAdvantage Platinum card gives you OW Sapphire only?
- Gold is the bottom tier for AA (OW Ruby), so Platinum is Sapphire, and Executive Platinum is Emerald. Adan and Kevin are both ExPlats, I'm just a lowly Plat.
Indeed…
- At least you got to go to the lounge at ICN... When I got to the KE Lounge over there, they immediately called security to escort me back, lol^^
At least the terminal operator worries about your health. lol
- I wonder if it is government mandated in the British Isles. It just seems out of place at an airport of all places, unless you are flying NZ on the SkyCouchs ;)
The IB product isn't much attractive on this route
- BA > IB, which is true in all travel classes^^ I would be very careful picking flights based on operator for this route.
My flight leaves at 16:30
- Wasn't that BA464 (code-shared JL7703)? You were on BA522.
Finally, at 15:40 my gate was listed
- I thought you said the gate gets listed 50 minutes prior to departure and not 2h 50 minutes before departue :).
Fantastic spotting shots from LHR!
The cabin looks nice, I definitely fancy the colours used in the cabin. The privacy of the seats next to the aisle is questionable.
Stunning aerial shots! It's pretty interesting to observe the transition from darkness below the clouds to some more light with a sunset above the clouds.
Catering is obviously a disappointment on this flight. It doesn't look like the pasta was cooked well.
I spotted IB A343s in new and old liveries.
- There are no IB 343s in the new livery :), the remaining ones are being replaced by 332s. The birds you spotted were both A346s, nice shots!
The terminal design inside MAD is very interesting.
Thank you once again for sharing a very unique FR with us and I genuinely enjoyed reading it with all of its detail :).
Have a good one, see you!
Wasn't that BA464 (code-shared JL7703)? You were on BA522. and I thought you said the gate gets listed 50 minutes prior to departure and not 2h 50 minutes before departue :).
- Both were clerical errors converting to 24h time. There is a LHR-MAD flight almost hourly, most seem to be on IB metal regardless of flight numbers.
Fantastic spotting shots from LHR!
- Be careful, there is no spotting from the main concourse where you have to wait in T5. You can only get good shots if you move out the B and C gates.
It's pretty interesting to observe the transition from darkness below the clouds to some more light with a sunset above the clouds.
- That's because LHR is always cloudy ;)
It doesn't look like the pasta was cooked well.
- 'Soggy' was the first word that came to my mind when eating that meal.
The birds you spotted were both A346s, nice shots!
- Too hard to tell at night, they didn't look long enough to me. Although given the ratio of A343s to A346s in the IB fleet, I clearly was not rational in my guess.
The terminal design inside MAD is very interesting.
- It's the same architect as T5 at LHR, but the MAD T4 looks far superior. He also won the bid to do the new terminal at TPE.
First of all, I suggest you to change the flight number and operating airline of the report, you flew on IB3167 and the flight was operated by IB. The flight is codeshared with BA and the flight number BA522 it's BA's.
I have flown this route many times, both on BA and IB, and in my opinion BA is better in economy (mainly due to free food and drinks), but in J Iberia is way better, as they serve a hot entree while BA don't. It seems that you didn't get a nice meal, but the times I have flown on IB I had either steak or nice pasta (e.g. with seafood stuffing) and printed menus were handed out (no menus on BA from my experience). I agree that packaged dessert looks terribly cheap. In regard to crews, it's a hit or miss, some of them are very professional and nice, and others should get retrained.
I always try to take the IB wide body flight, as I particularly enjoy the IFE.
Thanks again for the report.
Regards,
Martin
I suggest you to change the flight number and operating airline of the report
- Done.
in J Iberia is way better, as they serve a hot entree while BA don't.
- BA doesn't serve hot entrees? Any 2+ hour flight I've taken with BA has had a hot entree in J. Not to spoil the next report, but the entree was much better on the MAD-LIS sector, but the rest of the tray was the same.
printed menus were handed out (no menus on BA from my experience).
- The menu I show in my picture (left in the side pocket) was from the MAD-LHR flight before mine and the entrees looked much better on the menu than what was served ex-LHR. I think some of the consistency issues might be where the flight is being catered from, which makes no sense in this case since LHR is now a quasi IB hub.
I always try to take the IB wide body flight, as I particularly enjoy the IFE.
- It was the main reason why I took this flight and not an earlier flight from LHR to MAD too. It's a much more pleasant experience being on a wide-body than a standard A320/321.
- Strange. I never had a problem with BA's site in my experience.
I think anyone that has had to sit there and wait >5 minutes for a gap on the conveyer belt understands what I’m talking about…
- I have only experienced going thru security as a connecting passenger and it was bad and redundant. I almost missed my connection and I thought that I had plenty of time. This was one of the reasons that I have ditched BA.
The result of this policy is a completely crowded terminal with no free seating areas.
- Sure doesn't feel like a world class hub of a major carrier.
The BA Lounges aren’t much better. Reaching the BA Galleries North, there is a long line to enter.
- Isn't this right after security and the first lounge that everyone encounters once inside? If so no wonder it gets crowded.
Everyone’s favorite blue LED lights on the press.
- So out of character.
Interesting observation, I was getting the coffee and I noticed a lady making tea while at the same time grabbing a handful of tea bags (~10-15) to stuff into her purse.
- This seems to happen quite often at the BA Galleries from what I've read.
The bathrooms are weird since they look like an airplane lavatory and are individual use.
- Ah...were you expecting communal showers? ;)
My documents.
- Nice Doc. ;) I'm debating whether I should have a title on mine, like MSTR for monster. :P
How do you “lose” a sandal at an airport? You wouldn’t notice this?:
- Perhaps running to catch a connection? I've seen people run like stampede the last time that I connected through LHR.
Our IB A333 is in the old livery.
- A beauty indeed. Why on earth did IB has to mess it up with a new one? Same for LA.
So, I think LHR is the only airport in the world I have seen this in the bathrooms… I was speechless.
- Do you get so easily shocked? ;) I have seen them in SFO too.
These seats are identical to the OZ seats.
- Very nice cabin. Too bad that I missed the chance to fly on one but in the end I chose to spend more little lounge hopping than flying on a larger plane. To each his own. ;)
Second interesting point, the gentleman across the aisle opened up his carry-on bag and pulled out 4 bags of chips from the BA Lounge and ate all 4 of the bags during the boarding/taxing process. Clearly few people read the signs not to remove food/drinks from the lounges.
- Maybe he didn't speak English. :P Isn't it presumptuous to assume that everyone does?
The pasta was pretty bad. The sauce was watery and tasteless. The vegetables were also tasteless. It was not a good meal and the pasta dish I got on UA in Y was infinitely better.
- Not worthy of a J cabin.
The cheese plate. It was about as good as it looks.
- Where's the single grape?
The packaged dessert. I didn’t even open it up so I can’t comment on the taste, but at least it was from “the heart of the hills.”
- Would you have preferred it to say from our heart to yours? :P
I took coffee, which is served on this nice tray with a chocolate.
- This is a nice detail on IB's part.
MAD looks nice with the wood ceilings
- One of the most interesting airports from a visually aesthetics perspective. Perhaps you will get a chance to enjoy it more on your next trip there.
Thanks Michael for sharing this continuation of your series.
- I had even more trouble checking in for the LIS-LHR flight. QF is always my go to website for all OW ticket handling. Don't know why, they seem to be well synched with everyone.
I have only experienced going thru security as a connecting passenger
- It is worse if you are connecting terminals, the bus drivers are almost as bad as the ones at IST. This connection was at least a landside connection, which was fairly smooth with a fast track ticket.
Isn't this right after security and the first lounge that everyone encounters once inside? If so no wonder it gets crowded.
- It's near the more crowded North entrance, but the South entrance is where all the priority counters are. So my reasoning was that the South lounge would be crowded, but that was incorrect assumption. The North has better views, but the South is larger.
This seems to happen quite often at the BA Galleries from what I've read.
- They'll probably switch to Lipton in the future to eliminate this problem ;)
Ah...were you expecting communal showers? ;)
- I was expecting a normal bathroom. The second time I needed to go, I just left the lounge to use the normal one in the terminal because the line was 15 people long waiting to use the bathroom, which is absurd for a lounge.
I'm debating whether I should have a title on mine, like MSTR for monster. :P
I've seen people run like stampede the last time that I connected through LHR.
- That was my guess. It's like a sprint once your gate is announced if you aren't leaving from an A gate. It is such a disorganized and chaotic terminal. It is not close to being as elegant as MAD.
Same for LA.
- Which LA livery are you talking about? The one with the red arc over the wings?
Do you get so easily shocked? ;)
- It's just not a place I would expect to see them. This isn't a truck stop in rural Texas or a club in Miami... As I mentioned to Clement, NZ sends SkyCouchs to LHR, maybe that's the reason ;)
I chose to spend more little lounge hopping than flying on a larger plane. To each his own. ;)
- I was in LHR for 6+ hours on this layover so there was plenty of lounge time. I should have taken an earlier flight to MAD and then seen the IB lounges at MAD.
Maybe he didn't speak English. :P Isn't it presumptuous to assume that everyone does?
- He was British and spoke English to the FA, not very presumptuous at all ;)
Not worthy of a J cabin
- Any mainland Chinese domestic flight would get a better entree in Y.
Where's the single grape?
- In the wine?
Would you have preferred it to say from our heart to yours? :P
- Or at least from the Keebler elves.
One of the most interesting airports from a visually aesthetics perspective.
- I can't wait to see what they do with the new TPE terminal.
Thanks Adan for all your comments!
- Oh they will still get snatched. Compulsive behaviors are not brand selective.
Which LA livery are you talking about? The one with the red arc over the wings?
- No, I am referring to the present one. The new LATAM one is rather insipid in my opinion.
In the wine?
- Smarta$*! ;)
"It is large and open, but very crowded since it handles all the BA flights."
- As large as T5 is, it can't even handle all of BA's flights. BA has quite a few flights going out of T3.
" I think it is overpriced for trips into London, but the train is clean."
- The HEX is ridiculously overpriced to get to London. I'll only take it if I'm in a big rush. Usually just take the Heathrow connect. It's much cheaper and doesn't take that much longer.
"They only announce gates (and concourses) for flights 50 minutes before departure so everyone is loitering in the same area waiting for the gate to be announced. "
- I absolutely hate that about British Airports--it creates such a mess. I really don't know what the point is of keeping everyone in the same area and announcing the gate last minute. Just silly.
"How do you “lose” a sandal at an airport? You wouldn’t notice this?"
- running late for a flight? Hard to run in those things, LOL
"So, I think LHR is the only airport in the world I have seen this in the bathrooms… I was speechless."
- Gotta be prepared to join the Mile High Club ^^ Come to think of it, I think I've seen some in CDG T1 before
The cabin looks good overall, if just a little on the bland side. Great night shots on takeoff--how did you get such good shots with such low light and fast movement? Manual ISO and aperture settings?
Not particularly impressed with the catering. It's no better than what you would get in the U.S. on a similar length flight. The general thought is that, Euro Biz seats are crappy, but catering is better in Europe, but I don't think that true so much anymore. U.S. airlines have upped their games, and European airlines have been downgrading.
"The only connecting flight was mine to LIS. I guess everyone else was terminating in MAD."
- With that late of an arrival time, it's not surprising. I'm amazed that you had a connecting flight with such a late departure. I guess it's a short flight that probably spends the night in LIS.
Great report as usual. Thanks for sharing!
But i cant understand why Iberia offer this mini cains of soft drinks,. When i fly im so shame is to ask and ask again softs drinks.
Nice report and yes, the past doenst look tasty.
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