Iberia - Recent business class opinions
May 12th, 2006, 03:04 PM
#1
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Iberia - Recent business class opinions
Hello, fellow travelers! I know that Iberia doesn't
always have the best reviews, but it has the best fares for a business class trip (LAX-MAD via
ORD) this summer, when fares are very high and
planes are sure to be full. Has anyone recently
flown Iberia bus. class from US to Spain and what
are your experiences/honest opinions. Please respond quickly as I only have 48 hours to make
a booking decision. Thanks!
always have the best reviews, but it has the best fares for a business class trip (LAX-MAD via
ORD) this summer, when fares are very high and
planes are sure to be full. Has anyone recently
flown Iberia bus. class from US to Spain and what
are your experiences/honest opinions. Please respond quickly as I only have 48 hours to make
a booking decision. Thanks!
May 12th, 2006, 05:49 PM
#2
For Aug 2 to Aug 9, I see a ticket price of $2552 on Iberia and $2985 on Lufthansa.
The outbound LH flights 457/4412 take only around 35 min longer than the Iberia flights. If LH 457 doesn't have Lufthansa's "New Business Class", then I'd try to take one that did.
Plus, with the class of service bonus you'd earn around 20,000 redeemable miles and 20,000 elite qualifying miles for the trip (on a United Mileage Plus account).
The outbound LH flights 457/4412 take only around 35 min longer than the Iberia flights. If LH 457 doesn't have Lufthansa's "New Business Class", then I'd try to take one that did.
Plus, with the class of service bonus you'd earn around 20,000 redeemable miles and 20,000 elite qualifying miles for the trip (on a United Mileage Plus account).
May 13th, 2006, 08:57 AM
#3
Iberia's new business class seats have gotten excellent reviews, whereas the old seats are not particularly loved (overstatement.) Unfortunately, the ORD-MAD flight has a mix of planes scheduled for August - Airbus 340-300s with the old seats, and Airbus 340-600s with the new ones. Retrofit of the seats in the -300s is an ongoing process, so without specific dates it's hard to know what you'll get (and IB is rather notorious for swapping aircraft on short notice, too.)
That said, the direct routing to MAD would tip the balance IMO. If you post your dates I can see which type of plane is scheduled for those days.
If you're a member of AA's mileage program, this is a great opportunity to score a bunch of miles; also if you're interested, you can leverage this trip into Platinum status on AA, which will increase your mileage-earning abilities and make things like domestic upgrades way easier. If you are interested, have a look here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=342145
That said, the direct routing to MAD would tip the balance IMO. If you post your dates I can see which type of plane is scheduled for those days.
If you're a member of AA's mileage program, this is a great opportunity to score a bunch of miles; also if you're interested, you can leverage this trip into Platinum status on AA, which will increase your mileage-earning abilities and make things like domestic upgrades way easier. If you are interested, have a look here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=342145
May 15th, 2006, 12:23 PM
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Gardyloo, Thank you for the nice response.
I plan to go outbound on June 27, maybe
June 26, and return July 5. Iberia website
shows ORD-MAD flight on outbound both days as 346 (which I assume is the new 340-600), and the return MAD-ORD (even
on other days that week) as 343 (which I am guessing is older 340-300. Do you agree?
I have gone to your excellent link, but can't seem to see how I can leverage to Platinum
status. I am an AA mileage program member, so any brief hints would be appreciated. Thanks again!
I plan to go outbound on June 27, maybe
June 26, and return July 5. Iberia website
shows ORD-MAD flight on outbound both days as 346 (which I assume is the new 340-600), and the return MAD-ORD (even
on other days that week) as 343 (which I am guessing is older 340-300. Do you agree?
I have gone to your excellent link, but can't seem to see how I can leverage to Platinum
status. I am an AA mileage program member, so any brief hints would be appreciated. Thanks again!
May 15th, 2006, 03:40 PM
#5
The seat maps for the return flight shows the old configuration, but as I said, there are plenty reports of switches occuring.
I'm referring to the Platinum Challenge - 10,000 qualifying points in 90 days = Plat. Business class or first class (which you'd have on the domestic segments as well as the longhaul) earns 1.5 q-pts per mile. So you'd hit 10K points on the MAD-ORD segment. 100% mileage bonus, lounge access on international flights, etc. Have another read of the flyertalk thread or look here: http://www.fewmiles.net/AA (older thread but still explains the process.)
I'm referring to the Platinum Challenge - 10,000 qualifying points in 90 days = Plat. Business class or first class (which you'd have on the domestic segments as well as the longhaul) earns 1.5 q-pts per mile. So you'd hit 10K points on the MAD-ORD segment. 100% mileage bonus, lounge access on international flights, etc. Have another read of the flyertalk thread or look here: http://www.fewmiles.net/AA (older thread but still explains the process.)
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