JFK - Madrid, experiences with Iberia?

[LakeMcD]

Hello, has anyone had experience with flying Iberia Airlines transcontinental routes?

 

[Charlotte Helbig]

Hello,
I flew Iberia from LAX to Madrid and thought it was fine. Had no problems. That was several years ago though. What are your concerns?

 

[C clearly]

Hello, has anyone had experience with flying Iberia Airlines transcontinental routes?

I think it is safe to say that people have had bad experiences with every airline! And they are not afraid to say so! I make my choices mainly on schedule and cost.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Yes. Used to fly it many times a year when it stopped in Montreal. Why?

 

[peregrina2000]

I fly Iberia every year when I go to the camino, because American is the only game in town from my small town to Chicago, and Iberia is the only One World airline flying there from Chicago. I have heard so many horror stories but never have experienced anything but good service. Food is not great but it isn't on any airline. I will say though that Iberia domestic seats have the least leg room of any airline I've flown, and I'm very used to being squeezed in a plane.

One advantage of flying on Iberia is that you will arrive in Barajas in T4, the new glitzy terminal. One advantage there is that it's much better connected to the commuter rail line, Cercanías, in case youa re going to go to a train or bus station upon arrival. Another is that buying a ticket that gets you closer to your starting point (I've gone to Bilbao, Valencia, etc) and then flying home from Santiago via Madrid, is much cheaper than adding those legs on to a non-One World airline.

 

[Urban Trekker]

I've used it to fly from Los Angeles to Madrid and back.. Good service and on time.

 

[Mark Lee]

Flew from Miami to Madrid on Iberia before. It was okay. No complaints.

 

[jsalt]

Hello, has anyone had experience with flying Iberia Airlines transcontinental routes?

Hi, since they reintroduced flights to Johannesburg I now fly Iberia. I buy a round trip: Johannesburg to Madrid and coming back: Santiago to Johannesburg (which includes a 2 or 3 hour stopover in Madrid). Perfect. As it is all on one ticket, if the Santiago to Madrid leg is delayed, and I miss the connection to Johannesburg, Iberia are obliged to put me on the next available flight with no extra cost to myself. Jill

 

[mfmarti2]

Don't check your luggage if you can help it. I lived in Madrid for a year and about half of the people's luggage that visited my roommate and I was lost. (various airlines)

 

[LakeMcD]

Thank you all for your input. I've looked up reviews and yes there are horror stories of misplaced luggage, poor service, and delays. Didn't know if this was mainly shorter flights rather than trans-continental flights. Glad to hear some good experiences here as well.

 

[mfmarti2]

Thank you all for your input. I've looked up reviews and yes there are horror stories of misplaced luggage, poor service, and delays. Didn't know if this was mainly shorter flights rather than trans-continental flights. Glad to hear some good experiences here as well.

All of our visitors came from somewhere in the USA and about half lost luggage. Check at your own risk. Good luck and buen camino!!

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

Hello, has anyone had experience with flying Iberia Airlines transcontinental routes?

better than any American carrier, seriously; but not as good as BA - in my opinion

 

[C clearly]

Don't check your luggage if you can help it. I lived in Madrid for a year and about half of the people's luggage that visited my roommate and I was lost. (various airlines)

Wow! That is extraordinary! Not consistent with my experience over the years. Also, I assume that you mean it was delayed, not lost.

 

[peregrina2000]

I know this is a bit off-topic, but it's always worth stressing -- many of us would NEVER check our backpacks anyway. All airlines lose luggage, and though the odds are small, it can happen to you. And when it does, especially since you're coming from overseas and have a fixed return date, waiting for a few days while your luggage (hopefully) catches up is not a fun way to start the camino.

BA and Iberia are now one company, btw, though I think there are still wrinkles being worked out. And I know the Iberia employees were not happy with this merger/takeover.