Is Iberia worth $50 more than U.S. Airways for a transatlantic flight?

$50? I guess it all depends on your class of service. US Airways coach seating isn't bad if you're able to book a seat close to the front of the coach section, but those are usually reserved for FF Silver and up.

Iberia's coach isn't all that bad, but I've only flown coach with them once.

If you were flying Envoy (US Airways) or Business Class (Iberia), then it would come down to which plane they're using for the flight. The Airbus's seating layout has more room than the Boeing.

This is a new one. Mostly people ask about Iberia because it is cheaper than other airlines. I flew Iberia last November, three flights and think it is ok. The main difference between Iberia and US Air is the main language used onboard. Iberia flight attendants speak Spanish and use English when they have to.

I, too, am amazed that Iberia is more expensive. On which sites are you looking?

Airfares are dynamic. Sometimes one airline is cheaper, sometimes another.

I wouldn't pay $50 more on either, if everything else is the same. But I don't think US and IB flies any common route across the Atlantic. That means the itinerary and connections are different.

Since there are other factors involved, there's no way to say whether IB is worth $50 more or not.

I have been looking into IB versus AA to go to Barcelona because they are both one world and we have frequent flyer miles with AA. We are flying buiness class and there is a big difference in seats at in "J". IB seats almost go completely flat, AA's do not. For us to go from Calif to Spain, it makes a difference to try to get the plane that we can potentially sleep in. I did a search on frequentflyer.com. They are a wonderful source of plane info.

Unless something has changed with Iberia, usually you cannot reserve a specific seat # with them.

We were able to book a seat with a nice TA at AA. Most tell you to call IB. IB says to call AA. Got a good one at AA and got specific seats. Finding a seating chart for IB that is good is next to impossible though. No site like seatexpert.com has info on seats on IB.

RAA22,

Did you take your flights already? The reason I ask is that sometimes they'll give in and "reserve" some specific seat for you but when you get to the airport you have something completly different!

The flight I found flys from Miami to Amsterdam in early August and returns from Madrid to Miami in early September. Iberia is fifty dollars more than US Airways, but Iberia has a direct flight back from Madrid. The total is $1080. Should I buy now, or do you think fares will get better?

I haven't flown Iberia in years (because my experience with them has not been positive). But I did fly them a few times throughout the years and I never once received the seat I was pre-assigned once I arrived at the airport (and I was Platinum Gold with AA). I don't know how it is now, but back then, Iberia's flights originated in various points in South America. By the time the plane reched MIA, the flight was already mostly full with people travelling for hours, the bathrooms had already been used (and yes, they were 'freshened' up a bit in MIA, but not the same as a newly boarded plane. It really felt like taking a bus. My in-laws flew Iberia from ORD and their experience was different (much more pleasant) because the flight originated in the US. So I would try to find where the flight originates before booking it. I've also flown USair internationally and they are fine, no better or worse than Delta or AA.

Take US Airways. It is better. Iberia is the worst in the world, worse than the Chinese, worse than the French, worse than Peoples Express.. it goes on and on. Their only saving grace is a good safety record.