very good all round. staff, food, entertainment, punctuality all very good
We upgraded to Business class paying approx. $1,300. Despite the upgrade, we were still required to pay an additional €70 for a checked bag. Furthermore, we were informed that another €70 would have been charged for our carry-on bag, as it was 3kg over the limit. To avoid this, we had to move clothing from the carry-on into the checked bag, which was both inconvenient and frustrating. Given the significant amount paid for the Business Class upgrade, we found this treatment to be quite appalling and disappointing. We expected a higher level of service and consideration for our luggage, and this experience did not meet those expectations.
The cabin crew were great very helpful and accommodating. We had a fellow passenger throw up next to us. The flight crew did an amazing job cleaning up and reseating us. We did question as to if he should have been let on the flight as his condition was likely self imposed.
online check-in was horrible and didn't work either way
Horrible. Paid for seats for my family. Iberia changed planes and never notified us that the seats we paid extra for did not even exist on the plane. We were randomly placed on the plane. Thankfully, we were seated together. Upon boarding, my youngest daughter was pulled from the line and they just arbitrarily changed her seat 7 rows back from the rest of the family. I had to wait at the gate while they tried to see us back together. One of the most uncomfortable small spaces on a plane I’ve ever experienced. When I called Iberia, they first told me that no mistake was made that the plane was never changed. Yet my receipt for my paid seats were for rows that did not even exist on this type of plane we were getting on. They said that they would reimburse my money and I would get an email, but I’ve never received any information or emails regarding a refund for the seats that I had paid extra for. Then when we arrived in Madrid, one of the pieces of luggage that we had checked in was damaged to the point that the handle that was stowed in to the luggage was broken off by the crew members handling the luggage. The crew on the plane was very nice, but as far as the rest of the experience, I would be very hesitant to ever use Iberia again.
At Barcelona, you have to get your passports checked before going to the E gates so give yourself time for that. The restaurants around the D and E gates are really limited compared to prior to passport control. On boarding, the gate staff tried to charge me EUR100 for my carryon, saying it was too big. I put it in their ‘measurement box’ and it fit with the top slightly protruding where the handle was. The gate staff then said my bag was ok to carry and put an ‘approved’ tag on my bag. I was bussed to the plane I boarded a ‘Level’ carrier which I had not heard of before. If you booked through a code share like American, you will be served food and alcohol on the plane. They do not provide complimentary ear phones or blankets. The internet was free but only for texting. WhatsApp worked but Spotify did not. Entertainment choice was adequate, movies were old and selection was limited. On arrival at LAX, my checked in bag was damaged as the wheel was broken. I am taking this up with Iberia. Their website and customer service was moderate in terms of user friendliness. You have to have all your documents and prepared to be patient and persistent. Let’s see how this goes. All n all, for the price I paid, I would recommend Level.
Flight LIN MAD. Checkin was fine (but I must admit that being a Platinum member I skip the lines). Security was fine (they have the new machines where you need not take laptops or liquids out). Longe was OK (BA). Boarding was a mess, the boarding gate personnel were rude and some should simply not be in a customer facing position. Flight in itself was fine, usual Iberia European coach. We were on time and actually time to deliver luggage was better than normal for Barajas
Alaska located my mother, aware that she had mobility issues and they seated her closer to the door. She and I were seated together so I felt more secure to be able to assist her. The desk attendant reviewed what steps to take when boarding. Allowed us to board first, we loved that. I was allowed time to help her board slowly, seat her, put all her things in their place before the crowds came through. These small details made me want to travel Alaska more when possible.
The flight was decent. I purchased my flight through Iberia, traveling with my elderly mother with mobility issues. I try to pay for luggage and seats online prior but Iberia website directs me to AA website. AA airlines website does not recognize the record locator. My mother and I are separated and each get a middle seat. She is seated the furthest away from a bathroom. I had to sit behind her to see her wave at me to use the bathroom. Lights out on the flight and I could not see her wave and she is not tech savvy to push an attendant button even though I showed her how. The attention to this detail puts AA at the bottom of my list when traveling with my elderly mother. Bad execution and handling when servicing those with extra needs due to mobility. I could not get her to the bathroom because she’s slow and she had to wait for me to get up from my middle seat then move her out of her middle seat. She had an accident which required that I hel her clean up before taking her back to her seat.
The flight staff was excellent, one of the best I've had. Food and wine was very good and seats very comfortable. Luggage came out pretty quickly too considering the number of passengers. Also, excellent internet. The only thing that could have been improved on was the choice of movies -- kind of limited and not great selections.
