Iberia Business Class Review from Madrid to London on the A330
Join me on an Iberia Airbus A330-300 in Business Class from Madrid (MAD) to London Heathrow (LHR). This daily widebody service is one of the most unique short-haul routes in Europe, offering passengers a chance to experience true long-haul comfort on a flight of just two hours.
This journey was on IB721 on April 3, 2025, operated by EC-LUB, with me seated in 6A. The best part? I originally booked an economy ticket for just $80 USD, but during online check-in I was offered a Business Class upgrade for $50 USD — an incredible bargain for lie-flat comfort.
In this trip report, I’ll take you through the full experience, including:
- Check-in and departure from Madrid-Barajas Terminal 4S
- Access to Iberia’s Velázquez Premium Lounge
- Boarding the widebody A330-300 with its 1–2–1 Business Class cabin
- Seat comfort and in-flight entertainment
- Short-haul dining and onboard service
- A smooth arrival into London Heathrow
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to fly Iberia Business Class on a widebody within Europe, this review will give you the full picture.
Flight details:
- Flight number: IB721
- Date: April 3, 2025
- Route: Madrid (MAD) – London Heathrow (LHR)
- Departure: 15:45 local time
- Arrival: 17:15 local time
- Duration: ~2h 30m
- Aircraft: Airbus A330-300 (EC-LUB)
- Class: Business Class
- Seat: 6A
- Frequent flyer program: Iberia Plus / Oneworld
Madrid Airport (MAD)
My journey began at Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), Iberia’s home base and one of my favorite airports in Europe. All Iberia flights to London operate from the satellite terminal T4S, which handles international and non-Schengen departures. Getting there requires taking the automated train from the main T4 building, passing through passport control — so it’s worth allowing at least 20–30 minutes extra before boarding.
Despite the rainy weather outside, the terminal still impressed with its iconic architecture: soaring wooden ceilings, natural light streaming through colored skylights, and wide open spaces that feel more like a modern gallery than an airport. Even on a gloomy day, it’s a pleasant place to transit through.
Check-in was straightforward, though since I only had hand luggage and upgraded online, I headed straight toward security and then onward to the Velázquez Premium Lounge in T4S, Iberia’s flagship lounge for long-haul and Business Class travelers.
Velázquez Lounge
Before boarding, I made my way to the Velázquez Premium Lounge, Iberia’s flagship space in Terminal 4S. This lounge serves all Iberia long-haul and Business Class passengers, as well as oneworld elites.
The lounge was crowded today, which is no surprise given that between 12:00 and 15:00 many of Iberia’s long-haul departures to Latin America and the U.S. leave Madrid. Still, thanks to its spacious layout, high ceilings, and multiple seating areas, it never felt overwhelming. I easily found a comfortable spot to relax before the flight.
Food and drink options were plentiful, with a solid selection of hot and cold dishes, tapas, Spanish wines, and cava. Workstations, relaxation areas, and showers are also available, making it one of the best Business Class lounges in Europe.
Even on a rainy day, the lounge’s panoramic windows overlooking the apron offered some great plane spotting before it was time to head to the gate for boarding.
Boarding Iberia’s A330
Boarding for IB721 started on time, with priority boarding for Business Class and oneworld elites. Today’s aircraft was an Airbus A330-300 (EC-LUB), one of Iberia’s long-haul workhorses normally used on routes to the Americas — with flight times of up to 10–11 hours.
Stepping onboard, I was greeted by the familiar 1–2–1 Business Class cabin layout, giving every passenger direct aisle access. I settled into seat 6A, a window seat in the second section of the Business Class cabin.
While the A330 cabin is solid and very comfortable, it does show a bit more wear and tear compared to Iberia’s newer A350s, which feature a fresher, more modern look. Still, the seat was spacious, reclined fully into a flatbed, and offered plenty of storage, power outlets, and a large entertainment screen.
For a flight of just over two hours to London, having this level of comfort felt like a luxury usually reserved for long-haul travel.
Iberia A330 Business Class Seat & Entertainment
The 1–2–1 configuration on Iberia’s A330 means every passenger enjoys direct aisle access — a huge advantage over many European carriers still using standard recliners in Business Class on short routes. My seat 6A was spacious, with plenty of legroom, width, and privacy for a two-hour hop to London.
The seat converts into a fully flat bed, which makes a big difference on long-haul flights to the Americas. For this short sector, it felt like pure indulgence. Iberia provides a good-sized tray table, storage compartments for small items, as well as power outlets and USB ports.
In terms of in-flight entertainment, each seat has a large personal screen with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, and music in both Spanish and English. While I didn’t dive too deep into the options on this quick flight, the system is responsive and intuitive. Noise-cancelling headphones were also provided, though bringing your own always makes for a better experience.
For a short-haul flight within Europe, this seat and entertainment setup is far beyond what most airlines offer.
Food onboard
Shortly after takeoff, the crew began the meal service. Even on this two-hour European sector, Iberia serves a proper hot meal in Business Class — a clear step above many competitors.
Today’s menu offered a choice between chicken or spaghetti. I opted for the spaghetti dish, which was served with a fresh side salad, bread, and dessert. The pasta was flavorful and nicely presented, especially considering the short flight time.
Drink service included a selection of Spanish wines, cava, beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee. The crew were attentive and efficient, passing through the cabin multiple times to top up drinks and make sure everyone was comfortable.
While it wasn’t quite at the same level as Iberia’s long-haul catering, the quality and presentation still stood out compared to what most European airlines provide on similar routes.
Flying from Madrid to London
We eventually pushed back with a 45-minute delay, the reason not clearly explained. With rainy skies over Madrid, we taxied out and departed into the thick clouds above the Spanish capital. The climb was a little bumpy with light turbulence, but once we reached cruising altitude the flight smoothed out.
As is typical on the Madrid–London route, we flew north across France and over the English Channel. Despite the late departure, the flight time was quicker than usual, helping to reduce the delay slightly.
Approaching London, we encountered the common holding pattern outside Heathrow. With only two runways and the title of Europe’s busiest airport, traffic delays are part of the routine here. The silver lining is being able to spot other aircraft holding nearby — a highlight for any avgeek.
After a short wait, we were cleared to land and touched down smoothly on runway 09L. Taxi to the stand was efficient, and within minutes we were disembarking at Heathrow.
Final Verdict – Iberia A330 Business Class (MAD → LHR)
This flight perfectly demonstrates why Iberia’s widebody service on the Madrid–London route is such a hidden gem. For just $80 in economy plus a $50 upgrade offer at check-in, flying Business Class on an A330 felt like unbeatable value.
The seat and cabin are designed for flights of up to 10–11 hours across the Atlantic, so enjoying them on a two-hour hop to London is pure luxury. While the A330s show more wear compared to Iberia’s newer A350s, the comfort level is still far ahead of what most European carriers offer in short-haul Business Class.
The meal service was solid for the sector, the crew attentive, and despite a 45-minute delay in Madrid, we still arrived in London without major disruption. The only real downside was the holding pattern, though that’s almost a given at Heathrow.
Overall, Iberia’s A330 Business Class makes this short route feel like a mini long-haul experience. If you ever see an affordable upgrade option on this flight, it’s absolutely worth it.
