On IB business, DFW-MAD-MXP. OK airline?

Sorry, didn't intend to make that all caps.

DFW-MAD will be on American Airlines (you're probably seeing the Iberia codeshare flight number.) It will be on an older 767-300 with angle-flat seats. Service on AA's 767s in business class is usually excellent - comparable to first class on the 777s.

The MAD-MXP segment will be in Iberia's European business class, which is basically economy seating but with the middle seats (3x3) not occupied. You'll probably get a decent hot meal and some excellent Spanish wine.

Iberia was ok - mostly on time but the flight attendants insisted that DH put his laptop in the overhead compartment when he wanted to leave it on the floor in his briefcase for easy access. No idea why and they got quite snippy about it.

Flew it on domestic routes in Spain - a bit stiff and formal and very matter-of-factly, but every flight was mostly dark-suited business travelers so the demeanour suited the clientele. Some on time, some late (very late in the day, not unusual for any airline...). Clean.

Iberia is very hard case with carry-on rules. Overall a notch less user friendly than Lufthansa. I had thought that the Spanish were a happy bunch of people.

Don't tar the Spanish with a carry on rule brush. They are pretty darn nice as a group. A lap top could become a dangerous projectile of some significance if any serious bouncing/turbulance around should happen.

his laptop was going IN his briefcase which was under the seat in front....if the laptop was going to be a projectile, the briefcase was going to be involved...maybe they won't allow brief cases under the seat next? it was amusing and resolved eventually. We chose iberia because it was so cheap

I flew Iberia to San Sebastion using American Air mileage points and had a great flight. However I flew first/business class , seat converted to a bed , food and wine and service were great.
My friend did not have enough points to fly first class and flew economy and said it was typical economy,narrow seats and so so food.

We only flew Iberia Boston to Madrid. The Spanish were wonderful everywhere we visited in Spain.

That includes in the 'air'.