American, Iberia or British Airways?
Jul 11th, 2012, 03:15 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
American, Iberia or British Airways?
For October trip from Orlando to Madrid, I am weighing comparable coach fares on American, Iberia and British Airways. Seeking advice please on pro's and con's of each, re seat comfort, service, etc. for long flight. Thanks.
Jul 12th, 2012, 06:00 AM
#3
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Try this to see the alliance. http://www.oneworld.com/
Most flights out of Miami or JFK will be Iberia. I don't think you want to connect out of DFW or ORD.
Download the One World timetable, and it will tell you who is actually doing the flying.
Most flights out of Miami or JFK will be Iberia. I don't think you want to connect out of DFW or ORD.
Download the One World timetable, and it will tell you who is actually doing the flying.
Jul 12th, 2012, 06:42 AM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AA, Iberia and British Airways flights are Tampa-Miami-Madrid. Delta also offers similar price but for Tampa-Atlanta-Madrid. They all appear to be different. My main issue is comfort in coach class for a long flight and whether there is any significant difference in seat comfort, and advice on getting a bulkhead or exit row seat. Thanks.
Jul 12th, 2012, 07:27 AM
#5
<i>AA, Iberia and British Airways flights are Tampa-Miami-Madrid. </i>
(I thought you said you were going from Orlando to Madrid.)
Tampa - Miami will be operated by American Airlines planes. Miami - Madrid will be operated either by Iberia (earlier departure) or American (later departure.) As I mentioned, AA, BA and IB now "codeshare" most of their flights - one airline's flight number on another's plane. BA won't be involved in the trip.
Iberia uses an Airbus A340 on their MIA-MAD flight; AA uses a 767. Seat width in coach is pretty much the same; "pitch" or legroom is a little better on Iberia. Both will have overhead video rather than seatback entertainment. Both will arrive at T4S at Barajas airport.
In terms of in-flight service, I doubt if either will be a standout compared to the other. I don't mind Iberia's service; others find it a bit stand-offish. Culture gap, methinks.
Bottom line, pick 'em.
(I thought you said you were going from Orlando to Madrid.)
Tampa - Miami will be operated by American Airlines planes. Miami - Madrid will be operated either by Iberia (earlier departure) or American (later departure.) As I mentioned, AA, BA and IB now "codeshare" most of their flights - one airline's flight number on another's plane. BA won't be involved in the trip.
Iberia uses an Airbus A340 on their MIA-MAD flight; AA uses a 767. Seat width in coach is pretty much the same; "pitch" or legroom is a little better on Iberia. Both will have overhead video rather than seatback entertainment. Both will arrive at T4S at Barajas airport.
In terms of in-flight service, I doubt if either will be a standout compared to the other. I don't mind Iberia's service; others find it a bit stand-offish. Culture gap, methinks.
Bottom line, pick 'em.
Jul 12th, 2012, 07:31 AM
#6
Meant to add - you don't want bulkhead rows in coach - typically reduced legroom and you can't put anything on the floor during t/o and landing. Exit rows are usually reserved for FF elites; in any case with narrow coach seats to start, the fixed armrests in the exit rows (the tray table is there since the next seatback is too far) reduces seat width even more - they can feel very restrictive.
I think with an overnight coach ride in either plane, you'll need to tough it out; it's just not going to be comfortable.
I think with an overnight coach ride in either plane, you'll need to tough it out; it's just not going to be comfortable.
Jul 12th, 2012, 07:48 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tampa-Miami leg flown by American. Short flight. Miami-Madrid could be Iberia or could be American. Iberia uses an Airbus A340. American uses a Boeing 767.
A340 seating in economy is usually 2-4-2 across. Seat width is 17 inches and pitch is 32 inches.
B767 seating in economy is 2-3-2 across. Seat width is 17.2 inches and pitch is 30 inches.
Go to seatguru.com to check out configurations and exit row/bulkhead seating.
American offer what they call Preferred Seating for advance purchase, seats with standard legroom but located near the front of economy. Iberia offers advance seat selection for a fee. In either case, it may be worthwhile for you to pay in advance to assure your getting a window seat, aisle seat, avoid a middle seat, etc.
Generally, exit row/bulkhead seating is not made available for advance purchase but is reserved for passengers who have One World Sapphire FF status or higher (or the equivalent). These seats may become available when online check-in opens if they haven't already been snapped up by passengers with FF status.
Depending upon your point of view, the adjustable headrests on American or the extra 2 inches of pitch on Iberia may represent significant differences in comfort.
A340 seating in economy is usually 2-4-2 across. Seat width is 17 inches and pitch is 32 inches.
B767 seating in economy is 2-3-2 across. Seat width is 17.2 inches and pitch is 30 inches.
Go to seatguru.com to check out configurations and exit row/bulkhead seating.
American offer what they call Preferred Seating for advance purchase, seats with standard legroom but located near the front of economy. Iberia offers advance seat selection for a fee. In either case, it may be worthwhile for you to pay in advance to assure your getting a window seat, aisle seat, avoid a middle seat, etc.
Generally, exit row/bulkhead seating is not made available for advance purchase but is reserved for passengers who have One World Sapphire FF status or higher (or the equivalent). These seats may become available when online check-in opens if they haven't already been snapped up by passengers with FF status.
Depending upon your point of view, the adjustable headrests on American or the extra 2 inches of pitch on Iberia may represent significant differences in comfort.
Jul 12th, 2012, 05:53 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks much for everyone's advice, especially Julia1. Very helpful and why I love this forum. You folks are experts. Sorry about confusion re Tampa and Orlando. I'm checking both and now see Delta offers a competitive rate too. Seems like pretty much a tossup, tho I like the extra seat pitch on Iberia Airbus 340.
