Has anyone flown business class on Iberia to Europe? I'm looking at a FF award ticket business class on American from New York. The American flights are routed via Miami (but I'd fly first class New York to Miami on American -- then American business class to Madrid). Or can do a non stop flight from JFK to Madrid on Iberian airlines. I've read some unkind reports of Iberia, but wondered about their business class -- not as nice as American?

From the photos, the business class section on Iberia's 340 look more spacious than on AA's 767, especially on the IB flights with the "new" business class.

Along with being a non-stop, I think that's a no-brainer.

We've flown Iberia business class twice to Madrid and it was a fairly typical business class flight: lots of space, adequate food and drink. I've never flown American so I can't do a direct comparison to American business class, but I thought Iberia was comparable to Air France, United and Alitalia.

Hope you're including San Sebastian in your itinerary!

Patrick, there are two areas on FlyerTalk that may give you additonal information on Iberia's business class. The "Other European Frequent Flyer Programs" section: www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=469 and the Trip Reports section: www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=177 ... if you use the advanced search facility, you can restrict your search to either of those threads.

Anselm

Thanks for the flyertalk recommendation, AnselmAdorne; I seem to forget about that.
I found a ton of posts, including some direct comparisons to AA business class. As expected for everyone who said AA was much better, there was someone else who said Iberia was better -- so I guess it can't be that bad. There was also a reference to them currently replacing businessclass seats with the "lieflat" bed seats -- so that sounds like a plus -- since we aren't going till next summer.
The big thing was a unanimous agreement that ground service for Iberia, particularly in Madrid is horrible. Since we will only be going one way, guess we don't have to worry about that too much.

I'm glad it helped, Patrick. All else being equal, I'd see it the same way as rkkwan and take the direct flight.

Have a good trip.

Anselm