IB longhaul to South America

regi · Post by **regi** » 21 Nov 2005, 10:11

BigJulie, this is a forum about aviation, and especially this lead goes about experiences with Iberia.
Why don't you want that people exercise their right to complain?

jumpjet · Post by **jumpjet** » 21 Nov 2005, 18:43

Having read the previous messages on this topic before travelling I appraoched my Iberia journey to Havana with some trepidation..

However the experience was less traumatic than expectd witith both A321 [to and from madrid] and the A340-600 [madrid to havana] being punctual and comfortable.

In flight enteratinment was decidely sub-standard, there being no films shown for the first five hours of the madrid /havana leg.

Long haul In flight catering was pretty mediocre too - and the cabin staff more interested in reading magazines and drinking coffee than providing service to the passengers.

However for price and reasonable comfort the lack of in flight service was not a big issue.

A318 · Post by **A318** » 30 Nov 2005, 18:30

Made the AMS-ATL-LIM 2 weeks ago with Delta and again a good service, comfortable flights and on time connections. Too bad we have to fly back next friday but I am happy to fly Delta on my South American flights. Iberia doesn´t even make 50% of the Delta service.

eurojet · Post by **eurojet** » 05 Dec 2005, 16:21

I did BRU-MAD-HAV in 2003 on the old 747-200, and it was hilarious. This is a daytime flight, and is basically packed with tourist looking forward to a good time on Cuba, Cuban prostitutes taking a trip back home and some other dodgy people. When we flew, there was really a party athmosphere on board, people were drinking excessively, to the point that the crew refused to serve any more drinks. Everyone was walking around, chatting, making little "clubs" where people were sharing a smoke, while you had the crew, all 50+, shouting all loud that it all had to stop, and passengers replying they didn't give a F***. When we landed, the plane was a mess. I briefly chatted with one of the old crocodiles, and she told me the Havana and Santo Domingo flights were always like that, and had the most uncontrolled crowd. The return flight was a bit quiter, though. All in all, a very interesting experience.

SierraGolfDelta · Post by **SierraGolfDelta** » 14 Dec 2005, 09:27

I'll be flying IB on a trip to Buenos Aeres in February. Took me some time before i decided for IB over other airlines (reading this thread), but i think the price issue is also very important.

Departing from Brussels the connection is about 500Euro cheaper on IB then on Lufthansa. Air France only connects through Thalys from Brussels meaning a lot of hustle with luggage in trainstations and BA was about 300 Euro more expensive.

As far as I understand, the main problem with IB is the substandard service (who needs video on a nightflight), louzy food and desinterested crew...

Well, i'll be flying with the Mrs, so she won't complain about 'older' crew

and we'll take some cookies and extra water along...

With the saved 1000 Euro (two Pax) i intend to have a great diner in a nice place in Buenos Aeres!

regi · Post by **regi** » 14 Dec 2005, 10:13

I hope for you that it will not be bad food AND disinterested crew AND delays, AND dirty planes AND this and that.
But after all, you are right, 1000 euro is a lot of money to spend.
And please do remember dear marketing people: the customer is always right.
1 question: please don't forget to tell us your trip report.

fokker_f27 · Post by **fokker_f27** » 14 Dec 2005, 11:34

A friend of mine made his first flight on Iberia a320 From Bru-Mad. He said it was pretty good.

mark_in_motion · Post by **mark_in_motion** » 14 Dec 2005, 16:30

I flew Valencia - Madrid - Buenos Aires / Buenos Aires - Madrid - Valencia with Iberia last may and wouldn´t recommend them. Really, think twice before buying the tickets!

The A340 was dirty, the leg-room was horrible, the entertainment service bad and more important : the crew was not friendly, unpolite and even rude sometimes.

I don´t understand why the Iberia crew is so unfriendly (lately I had an incident with a Iberia employee at Madrid who was treating the passengers unpolite and rude), although Air Nostrum (Iberia Regional) crew is always so nice and friendly.

Zorba · Post by **Zorba** » 14 Dec 2005, 16:52

Well I can't speak for myself, but from the things I hear ... well nothing good really!

BUT My dad flew IB a few weeks ago (Brussels - Madrid - Brussels) in Business and he was surprised about the good service.

I'm not mentioning business in fat because I want to say we are rich or something, but just to mention the difference between Economy and Business.

If I were you, I would take another airline

sab319 · Post by **sab319** » 14 Dec 2005, 17:14

Iberia isn't bad but just don't expect too much from it, compare it to Ryanair, only with a higher fare and more legspace.

Iberia isn't bad but it isn't excellent either

mark_in_motion · Post by **mark_in_motion** » 14 Dec 2005, 17:26

Hi sab319,

Let´s talk about that leg-room... I flew recently (last 7 months) with ryanair, virgin-express, transavia, vueling, hapag lloyd express, aerolineas argentinas, air nostrum and .... iberia and do you know what: I am every time surprised by the leg room of Iberia, you pay "Iberia" prices and have "Vueling" leg room.... (to be honest... not always it is like that, in the A320 I had a lot of leg room, but that was an exception)

Maybe I notice it more because I have quite long legs....

Saludos,

Mark

fokker_f27 · Post by **fokker_f27** » 14 Dec 2005, 17:46

I havn't been on any airlines with unfriendly crew yet.
The most unfriendly was just not talking at all (reagonal carriers in America) So having a rude crew must really be bad.

SierraGolfDelta · Post by **SierraGolfDelta** » 15 Dec 2005, 12:59

Well guys, i'll give you a full account when i return!

Let' hope it's not too good an experience or i won't have much to write!

Meanwhile let's all enjoy X-mas, those we love and our Plane-hobby

Aviation24.be

IB longhaul to South America

Iberia to havna from LHR