Iberia Business Class Review from Madrid to Paris on the A321XLR
Flying between Madrid and Paris usually means a short hop on a narrowbody aircraft with standard Eurobusiness seating. But on this flight, I had the chance to try something very different — Iberia’s brand-new Airbus A321XLR, featuring its latest Business Class cabin in a 1–1 layout. This is the aircraft Iberia is now used for long-haul flights to Boston, Washington, and beyond. Experiencing it on a short sector felt like a glimpse into the future of flying.
In this trip report, I’ll cover the full experience:
- Madrid-Barajas Terminal 4 and check-in
- Dalí Premium Lounge at T4
- Boarding and first look at Iberia’s new A321XLR cabin
- The 1–1 Business Class seat and entertainment
- Catering on this short flight
- Flight experience and arrival into Paris CDG
If you’re curious about Iberia’s newest Business Class product, this review shows exactly what to expect.
✈️ Flight Details
- Flight number: IB585
- Date: November 9, 2024
- Route: Madrid (MAD) → Paris (CDG)
- Departure: 08:00 local time
- Arrival: 10:10 local time
- Aircraft: Airbus A321XLR
- Class: Business Class
- Seat: 6F
- Configuration: 1–1 in Business
- Frequent flyer program: Iberia Plus / Oneworld
Madrid Airport (MAD)
For this flight to Paris, Iberia operated the A321XLR from Terminal 4 instead of the usual satellite terminal (T4S). This made the process much easier, as I didn’t need to take the train transfer or pass through passport control.
I arrived in the early morning hours, and the terminal was calm with very few queues. Business Class check-in was smooth, with a dedicated counter and priority security that got me airside in minutes.
Terminal 4 itself is still one of Europe’s most impressive departure halls, with its signature wooden wave ceiling and wide open spaces. Even at this quiet hour, it felt like a modern, world-class hub — a pleasant place to start a short but very special flight.
Iberia Dalí Lounge
Before boarding, I visited the Iberia Dalí Premium Lounge in Terminal 4, and it turned out to be one of the best lounges in Europe for Schengen departures. It’s just as spacious as the flagship Velázquez Lounge in T4S, with a wide open layout, plenty of natural light, and multiple seating zones.
The facilities are excellent: there are showers for freshening up, a full-service bar, quiet workspaces, and comfortable relaxation areas. For breakfast, the spread was impressive — fresh pastries, cold cuts, fruit, yoghurt, and made-to-order coffee alongside juices and other drinks.
What I loved most was how well the lounge balances style and functionality. It feels modern, elegant, and calm despite handling many passengers throughout the day. With strong WiFi and plenty of space, it’s a fantastic place to spend time before a flight.
For a short morning hop to Paris, this lounge experience felt far more premium than expected — a real highlight of flying Iberia Business Class out of Madrid.
Boarding Iberia’s A321XLR
Boarding was called on time at Terminal 4, with a dedicated lane for Business Class and Oneworld status passengers. The process was smooth and efficient, and within minutes I was stepping onboard Iberia’s newest aircraft — the Airbus A321XLR.
First impressions of the cabin were nothing short of mind-blowing. Unlike the standard Eurobusiness you find on most narrowbody flights, Iberia’s A321XLR features a true long-haul Business Class cabin in a 1–1 layout. This means every passenger enjoys direct aisle access, which is completely unique for a single-aisle aircraft in Europe.
The design felt modern and premium, with stylish finishes and a sense of space that you simply don’t expect on an A321. Walking down the aisle, the cabin felt closer to what you’d find on a brand-new A350 than a narrowbody — a glimpse of the future for many airlines on long thin routes.
Iberia A321XLR Business Class Seat & Entertainment
The Business Class seat on Iberia’s A321XLR is truly next-generation, offering a level of privacy and comfort that makes you feel like you’re in your own small cabin. Iberia has installed the Thompson Aero Vantage Solo seats in a 1–1 herringbone configuration, giving every passenger direct aisle access — a huge step up from the standard Eurobusiness setup.
Each seat comes with a retractable tray table and a static cocktail table, ideal for dining or working during the flight. When it’s time to rest, the seat reclines into a fully-flat bed measuring 76 inches, making this narrowbody aircraft capable of handling long-haul missions of up to 10 hours.
The suite is equipped with an impressive 18-inch 4K UHD touch screen, offering a sharp and responsive inflight entertainment experience. Each seat features USB-A, USB-C, and universal AC outlets, plus Bluetooth connectivity — so you can use your own headphones instead of the provided ones.
Overall, the A321XLR Business Class seat is one of the most private and advanced narrowbody products in the world, and it feels like a genuine game-changer for medium- and long-haul travel.
Food onboard
Even though this was just a short morning hop from Madrid to Paris, Iberia served a proper hot breakfast in Business Class — and the quality was outstanding.
The meal consisted of a fluffy omelette accompanied by sautéed tomatoes and mushrooms, paired with freshly baked warm bread drizzled in extra virgin olive oil. On the side, a glass of fresh orange juice and a strong cup of coffee rounded out the tray.
What impressed me most was the quality of the ingredients. Iberia has clearly put effort into making its catering stand out, with flavors that felt authentic, simple, and elegant — a step above the typical short-haul Business Class breakfast in Europe.
The crew were friendly and efficient, offering refills and checking in throughout the flight despite the short duration. For a 2-hour sector, the service felt polished and premium, living up to Iberia’s long-haul standards.
Flying from Madrid to Paris
After pushback, we had a short taxi to runway 32L. From the window, there were great views of Terminal 4S with Iberia’s long-haul fleet lined up — a reminder that this narrowbody aircraft will soon join them on transatlantic missions.
Takeoff was smooth, and shortly after rotation the aircraft made a right turn, climbing through the early morning haze. As we cleared the clouds, a beautiful sunrise lit up the horizon, casting golden light across the cabin. It was a stunning moment and a perfect way to showcase Iberia’s newest aircraft.
Cruise was uneventful with cloudy skies all the way north, though the cabin remained calm and quiet. Approaching Paris, we descended through thick, low clouds, giving the feeling of a foggy autumn morning.
We landed at Paris Charles de Gaulle Terminal 3, which is a smaller, remote terminal. If you’re connecting to long-haul flights in the main terminals, you need to walk a fair distance and take the internal train. The best part, however, is that all aircraft here are parked at remote stands, which meant we could disembark via stairs and enjoy great up-close views of the A321XLR on the tarmac.
Final Verdict – Iberia A321XLR Business Class
Flying Iberia’s brand-new A321XLR in Business Class was a truly unique experience. The 1–1 Thompson Aero Vantage Solo seats offer incredible privacy, modern design, and long-haul comfort — features you simply don’t expect on a short intra-European flight. Combined with excellent catering, attentive service, and a smooth flight, this felt far more like a mini long-haul journey than a 2-hour hop to Paris.
The Dalí Lounge in Madrid T4 set the tone with world-class facilities, and arrival at CDG Terminal 3 even added some charm with remote stand disembarkation, giving us great views of the aircraft.
That said — while the A321XLR is a game-changer for long thin routes, I still personally prefer widebody aircraft for long-haul travel. There’s something about the space, quietness, and grandeur of the A330s and A350s that no single-aisle plane can quite match.
Still, as a preview of the future, Iberia’s A321XLR Business Class is fantastic — modern, private, and comfortable, making it one of the best narrowbody premium cabins in the world.
