Iberia has introduced its first Airbus A340-600 equipped with a redesigned premium-economy cabin, and plans to have five of these aircraft in service by this summer.
The premium-economy product will be rolled out on specific routes over the coming months: starting in May on flights to and from Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK) and Bogotá (BOG); in June on Mexico routes; in July between Madrid (MAD) and Miami (MIA); and in August on Boston (BOS) services.
“This aircraft shows how an exciting project takes shape,” said Marco Sansavini, Iberia’s chief commercial officer. “We are confident that customers in Europe, the United States, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and other markets will value an option to pay a bit more for greater comfort.”
The new premium-economy seats will be retrofitted in Madrid on aircraft already in Iberia’s fleet, while future A350 deliveries will arrive from the factory with the new cabin installed. The upgraded class offers increased personal space with 20% more seat pitch, wider seats and 40% more recline. Comfort features include adjustable head and foot rests, enhanced in-flight entertainment with full HD 12-inch screens, noise-cancelling headphones and multiple connection ports.
Service upgrades in premium economy include a welcome drink, a specialized menu with table linen, a personalized amenity kit, increased baggage allowance permitting two suitcases, and priority check-in, boarding and disembarkation.
By the summer of 2018, Iberia plans to have premium economy available on all long-haul routes operated with A340-600s and Airbus A330/300s, as well as on the incoming A350 aircraft joining the fleet next year.