Hi,
I have found an agreeable fare on Iberia to fly to Italy in May 2010.
Some members of my group have expressed reservations about flying Iberia as they have heard bad things. They have researched some reviews and most are not at all positive.
I believe that all airlines have their issues in this day and age, and that most passengers fly with out incident or have negative issues. Why would Iberia be better or worse than most other airlines? We would be flying coach anyway....

Thanks. Rich
PS. I booked my tickets with a 48 hours hold.

Anecdote does not equal data, but I have flown it twice and it was perfectly fine--plus I got great fares. I am in total agreement with you about most airlines being pretty much equal. If you select good seats, you will be perfectly comfortable.

Iberia has a very poor safety index. Within the last 30 years they lost 6 aircraft with 148 fatalities. These are pretty high figures for a relatively small airline.

You find Iberia's safety record here:

http://www.jacdec.de/statistics/airlines/airlines_4.htm

Most accidents were caused by poor technical maintenance.

Where did you get that from Echnaton? I've got their last fatal on 19 Feb 1985, and 2 crashes in the last 30 years. Their safety stats are not at all high. Lies, damned lies and statistics. I would fly with them. There are several airlines around the world that I wouldn't fly with but they are not in Europe.

We've crossed. Your figures date from 1927...!!! Take a look at http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/a...airline=Iberia

Airlines can be better or worse than others due to the salaries they pay, their staffing, the age and quality of their aircraft, the amount and timing of maintenance, etc. Surely you don't believe all airlines operate exactly the same.

In terms of the major airlines service, I consider them roughly the same when comparing economy. Of course if an airline really has a safety issue (those can be found online somewhere I'm sure) that is a different issue. I do admit to finding all American airlines to have more rude service on international flights. But within a certain range, it's 6 one way and a half dozen the other.

I just "heard" about an airplane that crashed in Austin...I think you need to tell your friends to stuff it and take the offer.

I've flown them and found them to be as "good" as anyone else. I am flying them again in three weeks.

Out of curiosity I checked out the site stfc posted above - Iberia has not had a crash in the last 25 years. That looks good to me. By comparison, Air France has had 6, American Airlines has had 7, Continental has had 4.

As to things like food, entertainment, etc - if the price is good why would those things matter. You can see a movie for $10 at your local cinema, would you pay an extra $50-$100 for a ticket on a carrier that has seat back movies. As for rude staff - how can you possibly know if any specific flight attendant or gate agent is going to have had a bad day and be rude to you. It's ludicrous to think one airline hires "rude" staff and another airline hires "nice" ones.

I live in Spain and personally, I'll pay more not to have to travel with them. I guess if the fare is right and you're feeling adventurous, go for it. But don't expect much - cramped, dirty seats and a decidedly non-customer service oriented attitude. Ironically, their low-cost subsidiary, Vueling, is much better. They sometimes codeshare with regular Iberian flights within Europe (Yeah, I know, I don't understand it either. Spain is different.), so check your itinerary closely. Maybe you'll be in luck!

>>>Your figures date from 1927<<<

Some people have difficulties with reading. In 1927, Iberia was founded.

BTW, the last crash was on 9 November 2007.

Can you get seats assignment with Iberia if you are traveling coach? Maybe things have changed, but it used to be that regardless when you amde your reservation you couldn't get seats assignments until you got to the airport.

OK, Nov 2007, but no injuries (thankfully). Where did you get 6 aircraft lost in 30 years from? If you can justify your figures it will go a long way to your claim that 'Iberia has a very poor safety index'.

Until then I consider that you are overstating the case by a very great amount.

I think I have them convinced....all your comments are appreciated.

thanks.
Rich

Cruiseluv, that is normal with European airlines. Nowadays it is 24 hours before departure with online check-in, or pay for the privilege.

Iberia were supposed to be merging with BA. Is that still going ahead?

hetismij,

I am familiar with that in intra-Europe flights, but also in transatlantic flights that take 8+ hours? If so, then no Iberia for me.

I have flown Iberia a few times, from Boston to Madrid and backaround Spain and they are fine. Better than the US airlines across the ocean because you get free drinks. I didn't find the crew to be any better or worse than your average American airline. I found them to be no-fuss and no problem. I would fly them again, especially since they have reasonable prices.

When I made my reservations I could not find a way to choose a seat on line. A few days later I called them and got seat assignments for all four legs of my journey. This was a couple of months ago.

Hello Isabel,

Could you post after your trip if they honored your seat selection? Our experience was that when we got to the airport the seats they gave us had nothing to do with the seats they had originally assigned us over the phone. The people at the desk acted like they had no clue what we were talking about. However, this was a few years ago, hopefully not the case anymore.