I am getting very slow at publishing lately, sorry about that. We are back in March, and at that time a lot of us were heading to NYC for the Flight-Report meet-up.
Originally, I planned to travel with the majority of the group on the direct service on Air France, but when a very attractive Business class fare with Iberia popped-up, I had no choice but to book it.
Pititom also took benefit of this fare but with a different routing, maximizing tier point gain with Openskies and AA (ORY-NYC-JFK-NYC-ORY).
Personally I wanted something more exotic and I settled with the following routing:
Paris ORY - Madrid (Iberia, Business, A321)
[YOU ARE HERE]
Madrid – New York JFK (Iberia, Business, A330-300)
[NEXT]
New York JFK – Los Angeles (American Airlines, Business, A321)
[SOON]
Los Angeles – London LHR (American Airlines, Business, B777-300ER)
[SOON]
London LHR – Paris ORY (British Airways, Club Europe, A320)
[SOON] Wait IBERIA? Yes you read it correctly Iberia, the unfamous Spanish carrier. However along with their new brand image, they are modernizing their airline with new seats. New York being served by their brand new A330-300, you are 100% sure that you will get their latest product, a full flat seat manufactured by Sogerma and already in use with Etihad, Thai, Asiana or Alitalia.
Then I wanted to try the new A321 transcontinental service offered by the legacy carrier American Airlines on their flagship route New-York JFK – Los Angeles.
And to go back to Europe, AA was also the airline of my choice, their new 777-300ER promised a lot in term of hard product with the Cirrus seats (same as Cathay Pacific) and bar, my other choice would have been BA but I already flown with them several times.
European feeding flights will be with IB on outbound and BA on inbound.
To make this routing even better I have convinced 2 elite members, yd75 and hcl75 to join me on this trip.
On this Friday morning we are at Orly Ouest Hall 1
One counter is dedicated for Business class and it’s empty
Over-informative boarding pass I would say
Iberia is having their own lounge, unfortunately it is located landside
Let be honest this lounge looks old and uninviting, but at least there is sufficient seating for IB, TP & BA eligible customers.
Press
Buffet is standard
Cereals, yoghurts and Fruits salad
Cookies and pastries
My selection, a bit of everything
Soon enough, we are heading to security via the Access n°1
Boarding just started but priority is not well enforced and economy passengers are blocking the way to the gate
Our aircraft is the expected A321 with a special marking
Passengers are greeted in Spanish and are asked to store their carry-hand luggage Standard Recaro seat with the middle seat blocked in Business
Press is distributed and my neighbour seems to enjoy its Les Echos!
We are leaving on time and after a short taxy we are up in the air.
Back in Economy it’s full house today!
Business is full too with 3 rows I will let you judge the legroom and recline:
Warm breakfast is offered by the friendly crew, no choice and everything on one tray with toast and croissant
There is no menu distributed Fruits salad, Actimel yoghurt
Strawberry jam, butter
Omelet with ham
This is a comprehensive breakfast, taste was ok except the croissant and toasts who were very dry.
Fleet overview
Seems like someone mix-up aircrafts
Do you have yours?
I think It’s Madrid Torejon Air base?
T4N, our next aircraft is already visible, this is the only one sporting the new livery
Never heard of UX leasing one of their A330 to this Chilean carrier.
Before I forget, our winglet
We are disembarking straight into the boarding area of T4S, impressive building
A quick check to the FIDS, our next flight is scheduled at 12:20
Vidéo:
See more
Verdict
Iberia
6.4/10
Cabin5.0
Cabin crew7.0
Entertainment/wifi6.5
Meal/catering7.0
Iberia VIP Lounge
6.4/10
Comfort6.5
Meal/catering6.5
Entertainment/wifi6.0
Services6.5
Paris - ORY
6.9/10
Efficiency8.5
Access7.0
Services6.0
Cleanliness6.0
Madrid - MAD
8.8/10
Efficiency8.0
Access9.0
Services9.0
Cleanliness9.0
Conclusion
It’s difficult to judge an airline on a short flight, still Iberia delivers a solid product with an on time flight and an appropriate catering for their European Business class passengers.
Flight Attendants were pretty nice, and offered multiple refills of pastries and drinks during the flight.
The downside are the old furnished lounge at Orly and the lack of airshow.
Thank you for reading.
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Leadership on an IB flight ? that is unexpected indeed, but you weren't flying steerage :) Yes, I do have mine :) The plane is EC-IJN; the marking reads Orgullosos de nuestra selección = Pride of our [basketball] national team I find your rating of cabin comfort a bit harsh, this being a short haul flight. Thanks for this FR !
After Air Europa, Leadership goes South again, what a nice surprise :) No corporate photo (or will it come in another member's FR)? Great pictures as usual!
It's refreshing to read that the crew on IB was good for a change. Catering is generous and the bottle of probiotic yogurt drink is a nice surprise. The small bottle of oil dressing is perplexing. Is it supposed to be used for your breads along with butter for a healthier alternative? a most unusual alternative in that case.
Don't worry, I still have flights from February to report ;)
Technically, you had the choice not to book it and fly AF. But what a choice ^^ As for my routing, it's LAX iso JFK ;) Just as IB which is more infamous that unfamous, or maybe famous for being infamous ?
Landside lounges are a big downside. But I wasn't treated any better with EC anyway.
Cabin is standard. Confort in these EU configs is minimum. Hey ? Am I wrong or did you get a non-rev pax as neighbour ^^ ?
Catering could be worse : let's enjoy this hot omelette. Is that vinaigrette in the bottle ? What is it here for :/ ?
Not a flight to remember but I totally share your conclusion (in other words, expectances are also low for these fligts).
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13 Comments
Yes, I do have mine :)
The plane is EC-IJN; the marking reads Orgullosos de nuestra selección = Pride of our [basketball] national team
I find your rating of cabin comfort a bit harsh, this being a short haul flight.
Thanks for this FR !
No corporate photo (or will it come in another member's FR)?
Great pictures as usual!
It's refreshing to read that the crew on IB was good for a change. Catering is generous and the bottle of probiotic yogurt drink is a nice surprise. The small bottle of oil dressing is perplexing. Is it supposed to be used for your breads along with butter for a healthier alternative? a most unusual alternative in that case.
A rather great routing
The lounge is average
The seat is like almost every Business seat for an european short-haul flight
Comprehensive breakfast
Technically, you had the choice not to book it and fly AF. But what a choice ^^ As for my routing, it's LAX iso JFK ;) Just as IB which is more infamous that unfamous, or maybe famous for being infamous ?
Landside lounges are a big downside. But I wasn't treated any better with EC anyway.
Cabin is standard. Confort in these EU configs is minimum. Hey ? Am I wrong or did you get a non-rev pax as neighbour ^^ ?
Catering could be worse : let's enjoy this hot omelette. Is that vinaigrette in the bottle ? What is it here for :/ ?
Not a flight to remember but I totally share your conclusion (in other words, expectances are also low for these fligts).
Thanks for sharing !
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