Iberia Business Class: Solid Value, But Does it Match Up to the Competition?

Iberia has recently taken some exciting steps to upgrade its Business Class, rolling out the new Recaro CL6720 suite with sliding doors on its latest Airbus A350-900 aircraft. As of now, these modern suites are featured on five of their aircraft, and there's buzz about more to come. In this blog, we’ll explore what these updates bring to the table for Iberia Club reward flight travellers and see how they stack up in the competitive world of Business Class flying.

The Iberia Business Class Experience

Baggage and Priority Services

Passengers flying in Iberia Business Class can check in two bags, each weighing up to 23 kilograms, and bring two full-size cabin bags. While seat selection charges apply for the cheapest Business Optima cash fares, Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald status members can enjoy complimentary seat selection at any time. Business Class passengers enjoy priority check-in and security, as well as access to exclusive Business Class lounges.

Seating and Cabin Layout

The cabin provides direct aisle access for every passenger with 31 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each seat offers a generous recline of 76 inches - fully flat - and a width of 18.7 inches. A particularly thoughtful design choice is the absence of overhead bins above the centre seats, which creates a spacious and open cabin feel. The cabin is served by two bathrooms, which are kept clean.

Amenities and Comfort

Upon boarding, passengers are greeted with a mattress pad, a thick pillow, and a comforter on each seat. The mattress pad is ingeniously designed, doubling as either extra pillow support or additional padding for sleeping. Business Class travellers also receive an amenity kit stocked with Germaine De Capuccini toiletries, including a swamp-brown eye mask, a toothbrush, a comb, and sleep socks. 

In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity

Each suite is outfitted with a sharp and responsive 18.5-inch inflight entertainment touchscreen. The system is loaded with 60 movies (including new release movies), 98 TV series and documentaries, 15 games, 200 music albums, and a selection for kids. Seats also feature a multi-plug power port, a USB port, and an audio port. While the suites come equipped with Iberia-branded headphones, they are not noise-cancelling.

Food and Beverage Offerings

While Champagne may not be available, Iberia Business Class offers passengers a unique dining experience with a distinctly Spanish flair. The meals include appetisers, main courses, and dessert options and are served with new crockery and table linen featuring the iconic “Las Meninas” salt and pepper pots. Depending on the flight's time and destination, offerings range from breakfast or a mid-morning snack to lunch or dinner. A select choice of red and white wines and cavas is also available, handpicked to match the Spanish flavours of the dishes. A variety of snacks, including potato chips, chocolate bars, and whole fruit, are also accessible in the front galley between meals. 

What the Well-Travelled Say

Here’s what experienced travellers and industry experts have to say about their experiences in Iberia’s Business Class:

Privacy:

“Sliding doors typically offer a lot of privacy in Business Class. However, I wish the suite's walls were just a few inches higher, as this would make the suite significantly more private.” - Ben Smithson (The Points Guy).

“With a staggered setup, the 1-2-1 seating means that everyone enjoys ample privacy and space to work, relax, or rest.” - Ramsey Qubein (BusinessClass.com).

Comfort:

“Rows with the seat closer to the aisle in the centre section aren’t ideal for light sleepers since you will find people brush past you as you sleep, and those with tables on the aisle have the actual seats very close together. These side-by-side seats are so close, some people may find that their shoulders can easily touch the passenger next to them. This is not a problem if you are travelling together but can be uncomfortable if it is a stranger as there is no full partition.”- Ramsey Qubein (BusinessClass.com).

“There is seemingly endless legroom. I'm 5 feet 10 inches and had no issues stretching out, but I can't imagine the space being an issue for anyone under 6 feet 6 inches.” - Kyle Potter (Thrifty Traveller).

Food & Drinks:

“Expect impressive Spanish fare with a well-balanced wine list to go with it.” - Ramsey Qubein (BusinessClass.com).

“Dinner exceeded my expectations. I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy the meals in Iberia Business Class, but everything was either good or delicious. Colour me impressed” - Kyle Potter (Thrifty Traveller).

Service:

“The Iberia crew was terrific on my flight. I was one of the only non-Spanish speakers in the cabin, and I appreciated that the crew members remembered this each time they interacted with me, addressing me in English.” - Ben Smithson (The Points Guy).

“While not industry-leading, Iberia offers a solid Business Class experience, with comfortable seats, excellent and reasonably priced Wi-Fi, and good enough food and service. I wouldn't hesitate to fly Iberia again if the price is right or the schedule is ideal.” - Ben Schlappig (One Mile At A Time).

Entertainment & Connectivity:

“The large screen has a decent selection of movies, sitcoms, documentaries, and music in multiple languages. Another nice feature is the 3-D moving map display, which allows you to zoom in to different parts of the world and see your aircraft from varying angles inflight.” - Ramsey Qubein (BusinessClass.com).

“Wi-Fi speeds were excellent. While not as valuable on an overnight flight where you might be trying to sleep, for many, the better pricing may be a game changer on a daytime flight, where you can stay productive without paying a fortune.” - Ben Schlappig (One Mile At A Time).

Destinations from Heathrow

Iberia Airlines flies to a wide range of destinations from Heathrow Airport. Some of the key ones include:

United Kingdom: Iberia flies to Aberdeen with 56 weekly flights and to Belfast City with 17 weekly flights. Edinburgh and Glasgow are also on the list, with 69 and 80 weekly flights respectively.

United States: The airline connects Heathrow to several major cities in the US. This includes Atlanta (12 weekly flights), Austin (13), Boston (35), Chicago O'Hare (37), Dallas (49), Denver (13), Houston (20), Las Vegas (12), Los Angeles (70) and more.

Spain: As a Spanish airline, Iberia naturally provides substantial connectivity to Spain, with 77 weekly flights to Barcelona and 176 to Madrid.

Here is the full list of destinations:

How to Book with Iberia Avios

Here's a step-by-step guide to securing your Business Class journey with Avios redemption:

Gather Your Essentials:

• Iberia Club Account: If you haven't already, head to iberia.com and create a free account.
• Check Availability: Visit iberia.com's "Book with Avios" section. Enter your desired flight information and filter for "Business Class" fares. You'll see how many Iberia Avios are required for each flight option.
• Calculate Costs: Factor in any additional fees and taxes you'll need to pay alongside your Avios. These vary depending on your route and fare.

Choose Your Fare Wisely:

Iberia offers several Business Class fare types, each with its own Avios and cash payment requirements. Here's a breakdown:

• Flexible: Highest Avios requirement, but offers full flexibility on changes and cancellations.
• Semi-Flexible: Moderate Avios requirement, allows booking changes with fees and limited cancellations.
• Saver: Lowest Avios requirement, but fixed travel dates and strict cancellation policies.

Book Your Flight:

Once you've chosen your preferred fare and confirmed Avios availability, it's time to book your Iberia Club reward flight:

• Choose your flight: Log in to your Iberia Club account, select your chosen flights, and enter your Avios and any necessary cash payment.
• Review and Confirm: Double-check all details before finalising your booking. Once confirmed, you'll receive an email confirmation with your itinerary and any relevant information.

Enhance Your Experience:

With your booking secured, consider pre-booking extras to truly elevate your Business Class journey:

• Select your seat: Choose your preferred aisle, window, or bulkhead seat for added comfort.
• Pre-order meals: Decide on your desired menu selection, considering any dietary preferences.

The Verdict:

Let's be honest, Iberia Business Class isn't quite the luxurious haven of Qatar's Qsuite or BA's Club Suite. But it delivers solid comfort, good food and service, and a taste of Spanish hospitality, all for fewer points.

As Kyle Potter said, “Iberia is not the world's best Business Class. But it could be one of the best values for points and miles. It's comfortable, the food and service are good to great, and it has everything you need to arrive in Europe feeling refreshed.”

So, is it a good Avios redemption? Absolutely! If you prioritise value and appreciate a comfortable, no-frills experience, Iberia's Business Class is a fantastic choice. It might not be the flashiest, but it'll get you there refreshed and ready to explore, leaving more Avios in your pocket for other exciting adventures.