Iberia Business Class to Europe (Early 2024)
Iberia hasn't been generous with award space for quite a while so it's nice to see a bunch of space from several routes in early 2024.
It's possible to include a connection to other parts of Europe such as Paris, Rome, Barcelona, etc. when booking with Avios. However, you might find that you're better off booking a separate positioning flights to/from other cities.
Now, let's get into the details!
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Straight To The Points:
Routes: BOS/DFW/JFK/LAX/MIA/ORD-MAD
Operating airline: Iberia
Class of service: Business class
Dates: January - March 2024
Seats available: 2
Cabin layout: 1-2-1
Book with (per person, one-way):
- British Airways Executive Club:
- BOS/JFK/ORD: 50,000 Avios (peak)
- DFW/LAX/MIA: 62,500 Avios
- Iberia Plus:
- BOS/JFK/ORD: 34,000 Avios (off-peak); 50,000 Avios (peak)
- DFW/LAX/MIA: 42,500 Avios (off-peak); 62,500 Avios (peak)
Please note that partners won't see most space.
- *American AAdvantage: 57,500 miles
- Cathay Asia Miles: 122,000 miles (round-trip only)
- JAL Mileage Bank:
- BOS/JFK: 42,000 miles (one-way); 80,000 miles (round-trip)
- DFW/MIA/ORD: 60,000 miles (one-way); 85,000 miles (round-trip)
- LAX: 60,000 miles (one-way); 100,000 miles (round-trip)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer:
- BOS/JFK: 61,200 points
- MIA/ORD: 75,000 points
- DFW: 90,000 points
- LAX: 104,500 points
*No surcharges
Taxes/fees (per person):
- From US: ~$119
- From MAD: ~$153
Varies a bit depending on which program you use to book.
Bank transfer partners:
- American: Bilt, Marriott
- Asia Miles: Amex, Bilt, Citi, Capital One, Marriott
- British Airways: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, Marriott
- Iberia: Amex, Bilt, Chase, Marriott
- JAL: Marriott
- Qantas: Amex, Citi, Capital One, Marriott
- Qatar: Citi, Marriott
- You can combine Avios under your BA account.
Let me know if you book!
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Available Dates
JFK-MAD
January: 3-5, 9, 10, 13-19, 21-31
February: 1-10, 12-15, 18-29
March: 1, 3-6, 12-20, 22-25, 27-30
MAD-JFK
January: 4, 5, 11, 12, 16-20, 22-27, 29-31
February: 1-13, 15, 17-19, 21-24, 26, 27, 29
March: 2-13, 15, 19, 20, 22-25, 27-30
BOS-MAD
January: 2, 4, 6, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30
February: 1, 6, 8, 13, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29
March: 7, 14, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30
MAD-BOS
January: 6, 11, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30
February: 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 27, 29
March: 2, 5, 7, 12, 14, 16, 23, 26, 30
ORD-MAD
January: 2, 7, 8, 14, 16-18, 21-24, 27-29
February: 1-8, 10-14, 18, 21-23, 25, 26, 28, 29
March: 4, 7, 24, 27, 29, 30
MAD-ORD
January: 11, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 29-31
February: 1, 2, 4-7, 9-16, 21-23, 26, 27, 29
March: 1-5, 7, 8, 13, 21, 22, 27-29
DFW-MAD
January: 1, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31
February: 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28
March: 6, 11, 15, 16, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29
MAD-DFW
January: 12, 15, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31
February: 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28
March: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 23, 27, 29, 30
MIA-MAD
January: 15-18, 21, 23-25, 29, 30
February: 1, 4, 6-8, 10, 13, 14, 20-23, 26, 28, 29
March: 1-5, 7, 10-16, 18-20, 23, 27-29
MAD-MIA
January: 1, 8, 15, 17, 19-31
February: 1, 2, 4-8, 12-16, 18, 19, 21- 27, 29
March: 1, 3-7, 10-30
LAX-MAD
January: 19
MAD-LAX
February: 16
March: 1, 10, 15, 22
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Flight Experience
The business class cabin is arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 layout. Each seat is lie-flat and has direct aisle access. Iberia has also started to roll out a new business class product (with doors) on their new A350s that is similar to what you'll find TAP's A330neo and EL Al's 787 Dreamliner.
I flew Iberia (JFK-MAD) on an A350 (without doors) in March of this year. The crew was friendly and the food was solid. I will caution that they aren't the most consistent with service, but I wouldn't mind flying them again.
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Best Ways To Book
British Airways/Iberia: The Best Option In Most Cases
Partner programs won't see most of this space, so booking I would expect to book with Avios. You can book with either British Airways or Iberia Avios. Personally, I have had fewer issues with BA's site so that's what I use.
On off-peak dates, you'll need 34,000 Avios for a one-way from the east coast + Chicago or 50,000 Avios on peak dates (early January/late March). From DFW and MIA, you'll ned 42,500/62,500 Avios on off-peak/peak dates.
If you have Avios with both airlines, you can link your BA and Iberia accounts. It takes a bit of effort though. To do this, you must have had your Iberia account for at least 90 days. Here's a link to combine your Avios.
You also need some activity in your Iberia account before this will work (transferring Amex or Chase points counts). Make sure the account details on your BA and Iberia accounts match before combining Avios.
What about connections?
If you include a connection on an AA flight, that will change your redemption rate. If you're using Iberia Avios, you can calculate the award rate using their Oneworld award chart and GCmap.
Positioning Flights
Sometimes, you'll be better off booking a separate ticket (cash or award) to position for the Iberia flight. Just remember to leave plenty of time between flights so you don't risk missing the Iberia flight - this is especially important if you need to check a bag.
American: No surcharges, Solid Rate
I wouldn't expect to see space but American miles would be a great option on peak dates from DFW/MIA.
Asia Miles: Solid Round-Trip Option For Peak Dates
Asia Miles can be a solid option if you're booking a round-trip award ticket on peak dates from the east coast/Chicago or any dates from DFW/MIA at 122,000 miles. Please note that you cannot book one-way awards on Iberia.
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How To Book
To run a search with British Airways:
- Go to this page
- Log into your BA account
- Enter your origin and destination
- Select departure date
- Select class as Business
- Choose the number of passengers
- Click "Get flights"
- Select your flight
- Select continue to complete your booking
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Final Thoughts
If you haven't been to Madrid, I highly recommend it. While Spain is known for some amazing red wines, you can also find great cocktail bars like Salmon Guru, enjoy plenty of amazing food, and check out some beautiful architecture.
Happy Booking!
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