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Airline: Iberia Lineas Aereas
Flight Number: IB6253
Route: MAD-JFK
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900 XWB
Registration: EC-NXE
Delivered: November 2022
Flight Duration: 6 Hours 55 Minutes
Distance: 3,589 Miles
Overall Impression:
This was our first experience flying Iberia’s newly introduced business class on their Airbus A350, and we were eager to see how the Spanish carrier’s premium offering compared. Iberia has equipped its A350s with the Recaro CL6720 suites, complete with privacy doors, marking a significant upgrade in their business class product. Like the previous generation, there are 31 forward-facing seats arranged in a 1-2-1 staggered configuration, ensuring direct aisle access for every passenger—no need to step over anyone. However, the most notable change is the addition of the sliding door, providing a higher level of privacy compared to the older seats.
As for the crew, they weren’t as polished as we had hoped—there were a few rough patches in their service. However, despite the slight lack of finesse, the crew remained well-intentioned, and our meals were served promptly.
When it comes to inflight dining, the catering was decent but didn’t quite meet the high standards I was hoping for. It wasn’t bad, but it certainly left room for improvement. On the bright side, Iberia’s extensive selection of Spanish wines was delightful.
What I liked:
The Iberia Lounge in Madrid – The Sala de Velázquez lounge at Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is arguably the best lounge at the airport, offering a spacious and comfortable environment to relax before your flight. The lounge features ample seating, ensuring guests have plenty of room to unwind. The self-serve buffet is a standout, with a diverse selection of both hot and cold dishes, along with a variety of snacks to suit different tastes. For coffee lovers, there’s an espresso machine available, along with a generous assortment of hot and cold beverages to enjoy throughout your stay.
The seats – I found the Recaro CL6720 suites to be very comfortable for sitting, lounging, and sleeping. The seat design provides ample storage space, and the addition of the sliding door is a great touch, offering extra privacy while resting. I was able to get a solid 3.5 hours of sleep during the flight, which was fantastic. My only complaint is that the seat controls are located around the armrest, making it easy to accidentally adjust the seat while in use.
For solo travelers, I recommend opting for the even-numbered window seats, as they offer the most privacy—these are positioned closer to the window than the aisle. On the other hand, the odd-numbered center seats are often referred to as “honeymoon seats,” ideal for couples traveling together who want to enjoy a more intimate experience.
What I didn’t like:
The service – The service on this flight was a bit underwhelming. The flight attendant working our section was somewhat unpolished and seemed to avoid engaging with passengers. For instance, rather than doing a separate beverage service after takeoff, he simply took our drink orders and delivered the beverages on the same tray as our meals. There was also an awkward moment when the crew distributed bottled water after the meal—our flight attendant almost literally tossed the bottle at me, which I fortunately managed to catch.
That said, despite the less-than-professional demeanor, the crew did offer a pre-departure beverage service and was generally quick to respond to requests. Meals were delivered promptly, which helped keep the experience on track.
No Personal Air Nozzles – Unfortunately, this aircraft isn’t equipped with personal air nozzles, which can be a bit of a disappointment if you like to control your temperature during the flight. The cabin was kept on the warmer side throughout the journey, which wasn’t ideal. It’s not a major issue, but it’s worth noting for those who prefer a cooler environment while flying.
It’s fine I guess…
The catering – As a fan of Spanish cuisine—it’s actually one of the main reasons we visit Spain—I was eager to try Iberia’s Spanish-inspired catering. For starters, I chose the green tomatillo ceviche, which was fresh, light, and flavorful. My companion opted for the marinated octopus, which was also decent and made for a good introduction to the meal.
For the main course, I had the handmade mezzaluna pasta with artichoke. It was tasty but didn’t stand out as anything extraordinary. My companion went for the pan-seared Iberian pork fillet, which, unfortunately, was a letdown. The meat was overcooked and had an unusually gamey taste, leading him to take one bite and send it back.
Dessert, however, was a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the Catalan cream ice cream, which was easily the highlight of the meal. My companion also had the chocolate surprise cake, which was also a delicious way to end the meal.
The pre-arrival meal was served about 90 minutes before landing. I opted for the Spanish omelet, served cold with almargo aubergine, maxorata cheese, and roasted Padron peppers. While the dish tasted fine, it was quite small and felt more like a light snack than a substantial meal.
Overall, while I didn’t find the in-flight catering bad, I felt Iberia could have done better with the meal quality. The one standout, however, was the impressive selection of Spanish wines, which certainly elevated the experience.
The Onboard amenities – As is standard for modern business class, passengers were provided with an amenity kit and noise-canceling headphones. In addition, each seat came with a full-size pillow, duvet, and a mattress with ample padding, ensuring comfort during the flight. After the meal service, the crew distributed bottled water and a small chocolate bar, which was a nice touch. The lavatories, though very clean, only offered hand soap—no additional toiletries were available, which was a bit of a letdown for a premium cabin.
Bottom Line:
Overall, Iberia’s new business class on the Airbus A350 offers a solid premium experience, with comfortable Recaro CL6720 suites that provide plenty of privacy and direct aisle access. While the service was less polished than expected, the crew was generally efficient and responsive. The catering was decent but left room for improvement, though the impressive selection of Spanish wines was a highlight. Amenities like noise-canceling headphones, a full-size pillow, and a duvet added to the comfort, though the lack of personal air nozzles and basic toiletries in the lavatories were minor downsides. Despite a few rough edges, it’s a worthwhile option for travelers seeking a comfortable and convenient transatlantic flight.
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