On the Ground: My flight to Madrid began with a connection from Denver to Chicago on American Airlines. Transferring to the Iberia gate at Chicago O’Hare International Airport was quick and stress-free. Upon arrival in Chicago a gate attendant met me with my boarding pass in hand, allowing me to proceed straight to O’Hare’s Terminal 3 and relax in the lounge before departure. Iberia shares the Admirals Club lounge in Terminal 3, which proved to be a quiet refuge with a good selection of light fare. Departures were clearly announced, and my gate was conveniently located right by the lounge entrance.
Pre-Flight: Priority boarding meant I had plenty of time to get comfortable before takeoff. The aircraft was a nearly new Airbus A330 wearing Iberia’s updated livery and fitted with the Business Plus cabin. The 1-2-1 layout places every seat in its own private pod; my window seat felt especially spacious. Shortly after I settled in, flight attendants offered a warm towel and a choice of juice or Champagne. Instead of leaving my handbag in the overhead bin, I was able to store it in a roomy seat-side compartment and an additional compartment above the wide side table.
Attendants handed out amenity kits and headsets, and a selection of magazines and newspapers was available. Before taxiing, the cabin purser introduced himself to each passenger, a small touch that set a welcoming tone for the flight.
In-Flight: After takeoff I reclined the seat, engaged the back-massage function and explored the à la carte entertainment system. The large screen and handheld remote, both with touch controls, offered more than enough options for the nearly eight-hour flight: around 50 films, dozens of TV series, several games (some in 3D), hundreds of music albums and a dedicated children’s section. The seat also featured an adjustable reading light and convenient power outlets, including USB and Apple-compatible connectors for charging devices.
Dinner began with a clear chicken consommé, a green salad topped with Parmesan shavings, warm bread with extra-virgin olive oil, and a cheese plate. For the main course I selected king prawns and scallops in a seafood sauce with pearl onions, asparagus and roasted potatoes. The other main choices were a fresh vegetable sauté (vegetarian) and a beef filet with mustard-and-beer sauce accompanied by leeks and dried apricots. Dessert offered hazelnut cake slices and a range of ice creams, including mango and pineapple flavors.
The onboard menu was created by four acclaimed Spanish chefs, each holding two Michelin stars: Paco Roncero, Dani García, Toño Pérez and Ramón Freixa. Wine selections matched the food quality and included offerings from notable bodegas such as Palacio de Bornos, Viña Real and Valduero. The beverage list also featured top-shelf spirits, liqueurs and brandies, plus a notable Castillo Perelada Brut Reserva Cava.
My seat converted to a fully flat bed, complemented by a large pillow and a soft duvet that made it easy to relax. I dozed off while watching a classic film and slept for nearly five hours. About an hour before landing the crew served a light breakfast of orange juice, fresh sliced fruit, yogurt, warm croissants and crisp toast, accompanied by coffee and tea. I chose a Euro blend breakfast tea, though options also included herbal varieties like pennyroyal, chamomile with anise and linden. After breakfast the purser walked through the cabin again, speaking with each passenger about their flight experience and providing tailored information about connections in Madrid. Knowing I was continuing to Málaga, he also shared the local weather report.
The Experience: I arrived in Madrid rested and ready for the day. The overall journey with Iberia was excellent: attentive service, comfortable seating, strong dining and beverage offerings, and well-executed onboard amenities. I would gladly choose this carrier again for future travel to Spain.
GT CHECKLIST
[checklist]
[item check=yes]Less than 10 minutes for check-in[/item]
[item check=yes]Friendly and helpful agents[/item]
[item check=yes]Priority tagged baggage[/item]
[item check=yes]Airport lounge[/item]
[item check=yes]Complimentary in-lounge food[/item]
[item check=yes]Priority boarding[/item]
[item check=yes]Helpful and courteous flight attendants[/item]
[item check=yes]Pre-flight beverage service[/item]
[item check=yes]Pre-flight newspapers and magazines[/item]
[item check=yes]Extensive on-demand entertainment[/item]
[item check=yes]Amenity kits[/item]
[item]Slippers[/item]
[item check=yes]Lie-flat seat/bed[/item]
[item]Turn-down service[/item]
[item check=yes]In-flight menu with three entrée choices[/item]
[item check=yes]Top-shelf wines and liquors[/item]
[/checklist]