Iberia Business Class Review from London to Madrid on the A350
Flying Business Class within Europe usually means a short-haul aircraft with limited comfort — often just an economy seat with the middle blocked. But Iberia does things differently. On select daily flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and Madrid (MAD), they operate widebody aircraft like the Airbus A330 and A350, giving passengers a true long-haul premium experience on a short 2-hour hop.
On April 1, 2025, I had the chance to fly on flight IB722 from London to Madrid, seated in 6A aboard EC-OAX, an Airbus A350 that was originally built for Hainan Airlines before being taken over by Iberia during the pandemic. Despite its origins, the aircraft features the same 1–2–1 flatbed Business Class configuration as Iberia’s standard A350s — a rare luxury for such a short European route.
In this review, I’ll take you through the full experience, including:
- Departure from London Heathrow Terminal 5
- Iberia’s lounge access at LHR
- Boarding the A350 with its unique ex-Hainan interior
- Business Class seat comfort and amenities
- Short-haul catering and service
- Flight experience across Europe with arrival into Madrid
For frequent flyers or aviation enthusiasts, this route is a gem — one of the most comfortable ways to travel within Europe.
Flight details:
- Flight number: IB722
- Date: April 1, 2025
- Route: London Heathrow (LHR) → Madrid Barajas (MAD)
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-900 (EC-OAX, ex-Hainan)
- Seat: 6A
- Departure: 18:45 local time
- Arrival: 22:10 local time
- Duration: ~2h 25m
- Class: Business Class
- Frequent flyer program: Iberia Plus / oneworld
London Airport (LHR)
The journey began at London Heathrow Terminal 5, one of the busiest and most modern terminals in Europe. Iberia operates from here thanks to its close partnership with British Airways, both being part of the oneworld alliance.
Check-in for Iberia was quick and easy, with a dedicated Business Class counter that allowed me to bypass the longer economy lines. Since I only had hand luggage, I was through in no time. Security at T5 can be hectic, but with Fast Track access, I was airside within minutes.
Terminal 5 is bright and spacious, with plenty of shopping, dining, and seating options. While it doesn’t quite match the architectural beauty of Madrid-Barajas, it’s efficient and well-organized — a good place to begin a premium journey.
One of the biggest perks of flying Iberia Business Class out of Heathrow is access to the British Airways Galleries Lounge, a huge upgrade compared to the typical contract lounges used elsewhere. I’ll cover this lounge in detail in the next section.
Galleries Lounge
As an Iberia Business Class passenger out of Heathrow, you get access to the British Airways Galleries Lounge in Terminal 5 — and this is a huge perk compared to many contract lounges in Europe.
The lounge is bright and spacious, with large windows offering excellent views of the apron and runways, making it a great spot for some plane spotting before the flight. Inside, there are several seating areas ranging from quiet corners to open dining-style tables, so it’s easy to find a place to relax.
The food and drink selection is impressive for a European lounge. A proper buffet with both hot and cold dishes is available, along with salads, desserts, and fresh bread. Drinks include a wide range of wines, spirits, and beers, plus barista-style coffee and teas.
WiFi worked reliably, and there are plenty of outlets to charge devices. Shower facilities are also available for those connecting from longer flights.
Overall, the Galleries Lounge is one of the better lounges in Europe, and it set a premium tone for this short but special A350 flight to Madrid.
Boarding Iberia’s A350
Boarding for IB722 to Madrid began about 40 minutes before departure. Iberia operates its widebody flights out of the C Gates at Terminal 5. Getting there requires taking the train from the main terminal, and the whole process can take up to 20 minutes. A word of advice: once you’ve reached the C gates, there’s no way back to the main terminal, and there’s very little in terms of shops or dining — so make sure you don’t head out too early.
At the gate, priority boarding for Business Class and oneworld status passengers was well organized, and soon I was stepping onto the Airbus A350-900 (EC-OAX). This particular aircraft was originally built for Hainan Airlines but taken over by Iberia during the pandemic.
Despite its unusual origins, the cabin was in Iberia’s familiar 1–2–1 layout, giving every passenger direct aisle access. The design is minimalist, light, and welcoming, with plenty of space compared to what you’d normally find on a short European route.
Sitting down in seat 6A, I immediately noticed how much more premium the experience felt compared to the typical narrowbody Business Class product in Europe. The widebody advantage was obvious — spacious seats, large overhead bins, and a calm, quiet cabin environment.
Iberia A350 Business Class Seat & Entertainment
The 1–2–1 configuration on Iberia’s A350 is a world apart from the usual short-haul Business Class setup in Europe. Every passenger gets direct aisle access, a full lie-flat seat, and plenty of privacy.
My seat 6A felt modern and well-maintained, despite the aircraft originally being intended for Hainan Airlines. Iberia’s light and minimalist cabin design creates a calm and premium atmosphere.
The seat itself converts into a fully flat bed, more than enough space for a 2-hour hop to Madrid but designed for long-haul comfort. Storage was generous, with compartments for small items, plus easy access to power outlets and USB ports.
A plush pillow and blanket were waiting at the seat, alongside Iberia’s standard amenity kit. While most passengers wouldn’t need them for such a short flight, it was still a nice touch that highlighted the difference between this and a regular European Business Class experience.
The in-flight entertainment system featured a large, crisp screen with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, and music in both Spanish and English. Noise-cancelling headphones were provided, though I always recommend bringing your own for the best experience.
For a short European hop, the A350 seat and entertainment setup felt almost over the top — in the best possible way.
Food onboard
Shortly after takeoff, the crew began the meal service. Even though this was only a 2-hour flight, Iberia impressed with a proper hot meal — far superior to the basic trays many airlines serve on short-haul Business Class.
The menu featured a choice of two mains, accompanied by a fresh starter salad, artisan bread, and dessert. I opted for the pasta dish, which was flavorful and made with noticeably high-quality ingredients. Presentation was neat, and the portion size was generous for a flight of this length.
Drinks included a selection of Spanish wines, cava, spirits, and soft drinks. The crew came around several times, offering refills and even small extras like crisps and nuts after the main service — something you rarely see on such short routes.
The service was friendly and professional throughout, with the crew striking the right balance between efficiency (important on a short hop) and warmth. Iberia consistently delivers some of the best catering in Europe, and this flight was another reminder of that.
Flying from London to Madrid
We pushed back on time and had a short taxi to runway 09R at Heathrow. Takeoff was spectacular — climbing into the skies during a fiery London sunset, the Rolls-Royce Trent engines proving not only powerful but also incredibly quiet, making the cabin feel calm and refined.
Right after departure, we made a right-hand turn, crossing the English Channel before cruising over the west coast of France and the Bay of Biscay. The route took us just east of Bilbao before looping around Madrid from the north, offering stunning nighttime views of the Spanish capital sparkling below.
We touched down ahead of schedule on runway 36L, followed by a short taxi to Terminal 4S, which handles all Iberia’s non-Schengen arrivals and departures.
Arrivals at T4S can take a bit of extra time compared to Schengen flights: you first pass through immigration and then take the airport train back to the main T4 terminal for baggage claim or onward connections. For me, it was fascinating knowing that this very aircraft would continue its journey to Lima later in the evening — a reminder of why Iberia uses the A350 on this prestigious London route.
Final Verdict – Iberia A350 Business Class London to Madrid
Flying Iberia’s A350 on the short hop from London to Madrid is an experience that feels far more premium than the route suggests. From the 1–2–1 lie-flat seats to the excellent Spanish-inspired catering and friendly service, this flight offered a true taste of long-haul comfort on a European route.
The highlight is, without doubt, the widebody advantage — quiet engines, a spacious cabin, and proper Business Class seats with direct aisle access. Compared to the cramped recliners and blocked-middle-seat setups offered by most airlines in Europe, this was on another level entirely.
Of course, for a 2-hour flight, it’s almost too good to be true. While I’d always prefer a widebody for long-haul travel, Iberia’s decision to operate the A350 daily between London and Madrid gives passengers a chance to enjoy a flagship product even on a short journey.
If you’re flying this route and can find a good fare or redeem miles, I highly recommend it. It’s one of the best short-haul Business Class experiences in Europe — and a great preview of Iberia’s long-haul service to Latin America.
