Flying Iberia from Lima’s new Jorge Chávez Airport: check-in, access & first impressions
This Iberia Business Class review covers the Airbus A330 from Lima (LIM) to Madrid (MAD), including the lie-flat seat and sleep comfort, dining and drinks, amenities, Wi-Fi and entertainment, and the overall onboard service on the long-haul flight. I’ll also share the key things to know about departing from Lima’s new Jorge Chávez terminal—how it feels, what’s different, and any practical tips for getting in and out.
Stepping into Lima’s brand-new international terminal for the first time as a departing passenger felt like witnessing a turning point in Peruvian aviation. The difference is immediate and almost surreal if you’ve traveled through the old terminal before: wider spaces, high ceilings, brighter architecture, and a design approach that finally treats Lima as the global hub it has long needed to be.
And today’s flight could not have been more fitting for such a moment of change.
This journey aboard Iberia’s Airbus A330-200 Business Class wasn’t just another long-haul crossing of the Atlantic — it was a symbolic one. A flight from the new Lima International Airport back to Iberia’s home in Madrid, connecting two regions with deep historic, cultural, and economic ties.
No thunderstorms tonight. No last-minute aircraft swaps. No fumigation delay. Instead, this was a calmer flight, defined by smooth efficiency, a comfortable Iberia Business Class cabin, and a faultless sunrise arrival over Spain that felt almost cinematic.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to depart Peru from the new LIM terminal and fly Iberia’s A330 Business Class to Europe, this review will take you through it step by step — from check-in at Lima’s revamped airport to the final approach into Madrid-Barajas. The A330 may not have the same “wow factor” as Iberia’s newest A350s, but it remains a solid and reliable long-haul workhorse for the airline’s South American network.
Flight Details
- Airline: Iberia
- Flight Number: IB124
- Date: October 19, 2025
- Route: Lima (LIM) → Madrid (MAD)
- Departure: 11:00
- Arrival: 05:50 (+1)
- Aircraft: Airbus A330-200
- Seat: 4L
- Ticket: USD $1,800
- Flight time: 11h
Lima’s New International Airport — A Departure Experience That Finally Matches Peru
This flight began with something I never expected to say about Lima:
the airport experience was actually calm.
For anyone who has flown through the old Jorge Chávez terminal, that sentence alone probably feels unrealistic. For years, departures from Lima meant bottlenecked hallways, limited seating, and the constant stress of wondering whether you’d clear security in time. But walking into the new international terminal feels like stepping into a different version of Peruvian aviation entirely.
High ceilings, clean architecture, wider spaces, and—most importantly—room to breathe. It finally feels like the airport of a city that welcomes millions of visitors and connects South America with Europe and North America.
Iberia operates from the new airport’s international departures hall, and priority check-in for Business Class passengers was efficient and well-staffed. No chaotic queues, no confusion. Just a smooth, premium start to a long-haul journey.
Within minutes I had my boarding pass for Seat 4L, Madrid-bound.
Security is another major difference from the old terminal. The layout is more logical, the equipment is newer, and the lines move faster. Passport control still depends on the hour, but this morning’s departure was far better organized than anything I experienced pre-2025. Should be mentioned, that there is no fast track for business class passengers.
From curbside to airside: around 15 minutes. That alone is a historic milestone for Lima.
First impressions of the new airport are great. The commercial area is still expanding, but already feels much more curated:
- Peruvian coffee and chocolate shops
- Alpaca and artisan textile boutiques
- Duty free with a strong Pisco & wine selection
- Brighter gate areas with more seating and outlets
This terminal is not finished evolving, but even now, it is a massive step forward for anyone flying Iberia or any other long-haul carrier out of Lima.
The Club Lounge LIM – Nice Space, Disappointing Catering
Before boarding, I stopped at The Club Lounge LIM, the lounge currently assigned to Iberia Business Class passengers in Lima’s new terminal. The space itself is modern and comfortable, with plenty of natural light, good seating options, reliable Wi-Fi and enough power outlets to get some work done. Visually, it feels like a clear upgrade from anything the old airport ever offered.
Unfortunately, the experience drops the moment you approach the buffet. The food selection was, at best, very poor for an international long-haul business lounge: a few pastries, basic sandwiches, packaged snacks, soft drinks and coffee. For passengers about to board an 11-hour flight to Europe, it felt underwhelming and not on par with Iberia’s premium product.
What makes it even more disappointing is that Iberia passengers do not currently have access to LATAM’s brand-new lounge, despite the fact that LATAM passengers can use Iberia’s Velázquez Lounge in Madrid. It feels unbalanced, and hopefully access may change once lounge arrangements mature in the new terminal.
In short: a pleasant lounge to sit, get some caffeine, and wait in peace—but not a place to enjoy a proper pre-flight meal. With that, I finished my coffee, packed up, and headed toward D Gates for boarding Iberia IB124 to Madrid.
Boarding & First Impressions of Iberia’s A330 Business Class
D Gates was only a short walk from the lounge, and by the time I arrived, boarding had already begun—efficient, orderly, and right on schedule. Business Class passengers were invited first, with a clearly marked priority lane and no crowding or confusion, a welcome change from the pre-2025 Lima experience.
A quick scan of the boarding pass, a walk down the jet bridge, and there she was: the Iberia Airbus A330-200 waiting for the 11-hour journey across the Atlantic. Not as visually striking as the new A350, but a proven workhorse and a familiar sight on South American routes.
Stepping onboard, I turned left into the Business Class cabin and walked toward Seat 4L, my home for the long flight to Madrid.
Iberia A330 Business Class Seat – Comfort in a Familiar Layout
Iberia’s A330-200 Business Class cabin won’t surprise anyone familiar with the airline’s long-haul fleet, but it delivers exactly what matters on an overnight transatlantic flight: privacy, direct aisle access, and a seat that turns into a fully flat bed.
The cabin is arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, giving every passenger aisle access. The window seats alternate between being closer to the aisle or tucked closer to the window—4L is the more private window-side option, and it’s definitely the one to pick if you enjoy looking out without being directly exposed to foot traffic.
The design is clean and understated, with Iberia’s familiar warm tones, red accents, and light wood textures. Not as modern as the airline’s newest A350 suites with sliding doors, but still a comfortable and well-maintained premium cabin.
Seat controls are intuitive, storage space is decent for personal items, and the fully flat bed is long enough to stretch out without feeling confined. A large pillow, blanket, and amenity kit were already waiting at the seat, along with bottled water—always appreciated, especially on an 11-hour overnight flight.
In short: a solid and proven Business Class seat. Not cutting-edge, but quiet, private, and absolutely comfortable enough for a proper night’s sleep over the Atlantic.
Entertainment & Amenities – Everything You Need for 11 Hours
Once settled into Seat 4L, it was time to explore the inflight entertainment system. Iberia’s A330 may not feature the massive 4K screens found on the newest A350, but the static 15.4-inch touchscreen display is sharp, responsive, and perfectly positioned for both dining and lounging.
The content library offered a good selection of movies, series, and documentaries, including a solid mix of Spanish, Latin American, and international titles. It’s not the biggest catalog in the industry, but there was more than enough to stay entertained from Lima to Madrid.
Power options were also well covered, with a universal 110V AC outlet and USB-A port at each seat, making it easy to charge a laptop, phone, or camera gear throughout the flight.
For comfort, Iberia provided a surprisingly excellent setup for a night crossing:
🛏 Thick mattress topper
🛌 Soft duvet
🛏 Large, comfortable pillow
This bedding combination made a real difference once it was time to sleep and is easily one of Iberia’s strongest points for long-haul Business Class.
Amenities included a standard headset and a compact amenity kit with the essentials: eye mask, socks, dental kit, earplugs, and lip balm. Nothing over-the-top, but perfectly adequate for an overnight flight.
Overall, a well-rounded set of comforts and entertainment features—everything needed to pass 11 hours across the Atlantic in a relaxed state.
Dining & Service – Spanish Flavor at 35,000 Feet
The service began with a warm welcome from the crew and a choice of Cava, orange juice, or water as a pre-departure drink. I went for the orange juice—fresh, simple, and perfect before a daytime long-haul. Menus were handed out shortly after, outlining a full meal service to begin after we crossed the Andes.
Since this flight departs at 11:00, the main meal is closer to a lunch/dinner hybrid, served early in the flight. For the starter, there were two options: chicken breast or an asparagus salad—I chose the latter, and it was light, fresh, and a nice way to begin.
The main course offered three choices typical of Iberia long-haul flights: pasta, meat, or fish. I opted for the fish, which was well-seasoned and nicely cooked, especially considering the challenges of inflight catering.
Dessert came with three options as well: cake, ice cream, or a cheese plate. I went with the cake, followed by coffee and a piece of dark chocolate—simple, but very satisfying.
One detail I absolutely love about Iberia:
they include high-quality extra virgin olive oil with the bread service.
It’s a genuinely Spanish touch that feels both premium and authentic.
The wine selection was also strong, including three white wines, three reds, and two sweet wines, with a Rioja that stood out as the clear favorite—rich, flavorful, and perfect at cruise altitude.
Service did pause for about 15 minutes due to turbulence, but the crew handled it professionally and resumed with a smile. Later in the flight, a light breakfast was served before landing—not remarkable, but perfectly fine to start the morning descent into Madrid.
Overall, the crew on this flight were fantastic: attentive, friendly, and clearly enjoying what they do. Always great to see, and kudos to them.
Flying from Lima’s New Airport to Madrid
Takeoff from Lima was more interesting than usual today. The Airbus A330-200, a steady but relatively slow climber, typically departs Runway 16R and makes an immediate right turn out over the Pacific to gain altitude before crossing the Andes, whose peaks rise close to 6,000 meters.
But not this time.
Instead, we climbed straight ahead, flew over the city of Lima itself, and then performed a wide left turn, keeping the Peruvian capital on our left side before beginning the crossing toward the Andes. A departure path far less common—and one I wasn’t expecting.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t playing along. Cloud cover blocked most of the mountain views, so there were no dramatic glimpses of the snow-capped peaks today. Still, there’s something special about knowing those enormous ridges are just beneath you.
Once over the mountains, the skies opened into a spectacular panorama of the Amazon rainforest, stretching endlessly below. Dense, deep-green wilderness as far as the eye could see—one of the most beautiful transitions in global aviation, from Andean rock to Amazon basin.
Turbulence Over the Amazon Corridor
Between Iquitos and the Colombian border, the A330 encountered exactly the kind of weather this region is known for: towering build-ups, thick equatorial clouds, and persistent turbulence. Beautiful to watch from the window, but a good reminder of how alive and untamed this airspace is.
The flight then continued across Venezuela, weaving around storm systems with several noticeable deviations. Nothing dramatic, but enough to remind you that weather rules this part of the world.
Into the Caribbean and a Few Hours of Sleep
After clearing South America, we entered the Caribbean, and the ride finally smoothed out. I transformed the seat into a fully flat bed and managed a solid 4–5 hours of sleep—a good result for an overnight eastbound flight.
I woke up somewhere around Porto, Portugal, just as the crew started a light breakfast service and the first hints of daylight tinted the horizon.
Arrival in Madrid
Descent into Spain was calm, and we touched down about 10 minutes ahead of schedule on Runway 18R. Madrid greeted us with a dark, foggy morning, which somehow made the terminal lights look even warmer.
A short taxi brought us to the gate, followed by a quick transfer from Terminal 4S to Terminal 4, where connections to Europe and beyond were already boarding.
Another Lima–Madrid crossing completed—smooth, atmospheric, and very Iberian in the best way.
Final Verdict – Is Iberia’s A330 Business Class Still Worth It in 2025?
Yes. Iberia’s A330 Business Class may not be the newest or flashiest product in the sky, but it remains a genuinely comfortable and reliable way to cross the Atlantic. The seat is private enough, the bedding is excellent, the entertainment is solid, and the food—consistently—reminds you why Spain takes pride in its culinary standards.
I know Iberia gets its fair share of criticism online, but having flown with them so often, I can honestly say that negative experiences have been rare. And today’s flight was another reminder of why I keep choosing them: punctual departure, smooth operation, and a crew who clearly enjoy what they do. Polite, attentive, and present throughout the flight—exactly what a long-haul Business Class service should feel like.
Add to that the upgrade of departing from Lima’s new international terminal, and this journey felt like a glimpse of a stronger, more connected future for travel between South America and Europe.
Not the most modern seat in Iberia’s fleet, but:
✦ comfortable enough to sleep
✦ great food with a Spanish soul
✦ good wine, especially the Rioja
✦ professional and friendly crew
✦ arrived ahead of schedule
A very solid showing from Iberia once again.
