On the Ground: I arrived at JFK well ahead of my 9 p.m. departure from Terminal 7 and checked in quickly before heading to security. At about 7:30 p.m. the lines were light, so security moved swiftly. Iberia uses the British Airways lounge in Terminal 7; upon entering I learned my flight had been pushed back to midnight. A second ash cloud drifting over the South Atlantic forced the inbound aircraft from Madrid onto a more southerly routing, adding at least an hour or two to its journey. As a result, I spent nearly five hours in the lounge. The BA lounge itself was pleasant, and the staff kept us well informed about the flight status, but even excellent service wears thin after such a long wait. (29/30)
Pre-flight: The flight was full, but once boarding began close to 1 a.m. the process moved quickly. Passengers were weary and eager to settle after the long delay. Traveling in Iberia’s Business Plus Class let me pre-board and stow my bags without rushing. Flight attendants were attentive and professional, helping to smooth over frustrations from the delay. After I settled into my seat I accepted a welcome glass of Champagne, which felt like a small but welcome respite. (29/30)
In-flight: Shortly after takeoff the cabin crew promptly began the food and beverage service to make up for lost time. Many travelers in Business Plus chose to skip dinner and use the lie-flat seats to sleep; I opted to dine and was very pleased with the meal. I enjoyed a well-prepared baked cod accompanied by a glass of Cuatro Rayas Viñedos Centenarios 2009 and a Sembro 2008 Red D.O. Ribera del Duero—both wines were excellent. Iberia’s Business Plus offers expanded personal space (87 inches) with fully horizontal lie-flat seats, so after my meal I reclined the seat to 180 degrees and slept until breakfast. The comfort and service in-flight were impressive. (38/40)
The Experience: My return was seamless in part because I spent nearly two hours in the newly renovated Velázquez VIP lounge in Terminal 4 at Madrid-Barajas Airport. The lounge provided a calm place to relax and enjoy a late lunch from an extensive buffet featuring both snacks and hot dishes. The space is bright and attractive, with large windows that look out over the runways, making it an inviting spot to unwind before departure.
Total Score: 96/100