Iberia Business Class Review from Miami to Madrid on the A330
When it comes to flying between the United States and Spain, Iberia is often one of the first airlines travelers look to. As Spain’s flag carrier and a key member of oneworld, Iberia offers dozens of transatlantic flights each day, split between its modern A350s and the reliable workhorse A330-300. The A330 might not grab as much attention as its newer sibling, but it still forms the backbone of Iberia’s U.S.–Europe network — including the important route from Miami to Madrid.
This was not only my first long-haul flight on an Iberia A330, but also one of the best-value premium tickets I’ve ever booked: just €1,100 one way from Miami to Oslo via Madrid, secured seven months in advance. For a full flat-bed transatlantic journey in Business Class, that kind of pricing is rare.
But the real question is: how does Iberia’s A330 Business Class hold up on an overnight flight to Europe? Does it provide the comfort, food, and service that travelers from the U.S. expect when crossing the Atlantic?
In this trip report, I’ll take you through the entire journey:
- Afternoon departure from Miami International Airport
- Boarding and first impressions of the A330 Business Class cabin
- Seat comfort in window seat 6L
- Dinner and breakfast service on the overnight crossing
- Inflight entertainment, amenities, and WiFi connectivity
- Sleep quality on a transatlantic redeye
- Early-morning arrival into Madrid Barajas Terminal 4S
If you’re considering flying Iberia Business Class between the U.S. and Europe, this review will give you a clear picture of what to expect onboard the A330.
Flight Details
- Flight number: IB334
- Date: July 20, 2024
- Route: Miami (MIA) → Madrid (MAD)
- Departure: 16:40 local time (MIA)
- Arrival: 07:20 local time (+1, MAD)
- Duration: ~8h 40m
- Aircraft: Airbus A330-300
- Registration: EC-LZK
- Class: Business Class (1–2–1 configuration)
- Seat: 6L (window seat)
- Frequent flyer program: Iberia Plus / oneworld
Miami Airport (MIA)
My journey began at the rental car center, where I dropped off my car before taking the airport train directly to the terminals. The ride takes less than five minutes, and soon I was standing inside Miami International Airport (MIA) — a facility that, frankly, doesn’t rank among the most attractive in the U.S. With its grey tones, dated interiors, and somewhat cold atmosphere, MIA isn’t the most welcoming gateway to Europe.
Iberia uses Concourse E, where a dedicated priority check-in desk was available for Business Class and oneworld elite passengers. The process itself was quick and efficient, but it’s worth noting that unlike many European hubs, MIA does not offer a proper fast track lane for security when flying Iberia. That meant joining the general TSA queue, which can be hit-or-miss depending on the time of day.
Still, within a short while, I was airside and ready to explore the lounge before boarding my flight to Madrid.
Lounge Experience
With security behind me, I headed for the American Airlines Flagship Lounge, which Iberia Business Class passengers can access thanks to the oneworld partnership.
The lounge made a very different impression compared to the terminal itself: spacious, modern, and welcoming. Upon arrival, I was greeted with a glass of champagne, setting the tone for a premium experience.
Inside, there was an abundance of seating areas, ranging from quiet corners for working to open spaces overlooking the apron — perfect for watching the busy traffic at one of America’s largest hubs.
The buffet selection was strong, with a variety of hot dishes, salads, and snacks, along with a self-service bar and attentive staff making sure everything was well-stocked. For an early evening departure to Europe, it was the ideal place to relax, enjoy a meal, and prepare for the overnight flight ahead.
Overall, the Flagship Lounge was a very positive experience — far more polished than I expected given Miami’s dated terminal, and a highlight of the pre-flight ground service.
Boarding Iberia’s A330 to Madrid
From the lounge, it was time to head over to the E gates, where Iberia operates most of its Miami departures. Getting there required a short walk and a quick train ride, a journey of just a couple of minutes. This is also the concourse where airlines like British Airways and Qatar Airways park their widebodies, giving the area a distinctly international feel.
Boarding for IB334 was called right on time, with priority boarding available for Business Class and elite status passengers. The process was efficient, and within minutes I was stepping onto the Airbus A330-300 that would carry me overnight to Madrid.
First impressions of the cabin were good: clean, neatly presented, and arranged in a 1–2–1 layout that gives every passenger direct aisle access. While it’s clear the design isn’t as new or stylish as Iberia’s A350 fleet — usually reserved for routes like Los Angeles — the A330 still felt well maintained and comfortable.
At my seat, 6L by the window, I found a plush pillow, mattress pad, and blanket, all neatly placed on the seat, along with an amenity kit stocked with the essentials for an overnight flight. The setup gave the space a welcoming feel and immediately set the tone for a proper long-haul Business Class experience.
Iberia A330 Business Class Seat & Entertainment
The seat itself was wide and comfortable, with plenty of space to relax for the overnight flight. Iberia’s staggered 1–2–1 configuration means some seats are closer to the aisle while others, like 6L, are tucked closer to the window, offering a bit more privacy. The seat easily converts into a fully flat bed, and with the mattress pad, pillow, and blanket provided, it looked promising for a good night’s sleep later in the flight. Storage space was adequate, with a side compartment for small items and a shelf for water, headphones, or personal electronics.
The entertainment system, however, clearly showed its age. The screen wasn’t the most responsive, and the resolution felt dated compared to newer aircraft like the A350. That said, the content selection was solid, with a decent library of movies, TV shows, and music to keep passengers entertained for the eight-and-a-half–hour crossing. Noise-cancelling headphones were also provided, though not top-tier quality.
Overall, the seat was the highlight here — comfortable, private, and well-suited for rest — while the entertainment system did the job, but felt a step behind more modern Business Class products.
Food onboard
Once airborne, the crew began the dinner service with a small appetizer of cheese, olives, and nuts, accompanied by drinks. For the first course, I chose the salmon with edamame, which was fresh and nicely presented. The main course I had selected was seared sea bass, served with vegetables — a light and flavorful option that worked well for a late-evening meal.
My original choice had been the meat option, but by the time the crew reached my seat they told me it was no longer available. What was disappointing, however, was that I later noticed the trolley in the other aisle still had portions left. This inconsistency in service felt unusual for Iberia, as I have generally found their crews to be professional and attentive. On this flight, the service came across as less polished, almost as if the crew weren’t having their best day.
For dessert, I had ice cream with a coffee, a simple but satisfying end to the meal.
Overall, the food quality was good, though noticeably not quite at the same level as flights departing Madrid — which is understandable, since Iberia’s catering is usually strongest at its hub.
Before landing, about 90 minutes prior to arrival in Madrid, a light breakfast was served: omelette, fruit, and yoghurt. It was perfectly fine for the short pre-arrival service, though not particularly memorable.
Flying from Miami to Madrid
We pushed back right on schedule and taxied smoothly out of Miami. Takeoff offered stunning views over the sizzling hot downtown skyline. Moments later we were out over the Atlantic, skimming past the turquoise waters of the Bahamas as we set course for Europe.
Dinner service was completed as we left the American coast behind, and not long after, the sun began to set over the ocean — the perfect cue to prepare my seat for the overnight rest. With the mattress pad, pillow, and blanket, the bed was surprisingly comfortable, and I managed a solid four hours of uninterrupted sleep.
When I woke up, we were already over northern Portugal, just above Porto, as the crew began preparing for breakfast. The timing worked well, giving me enough energy for the early arrival into Madrid.
Descent into Madrid was impressively quick — just 18 minutes from cruising altitude to touchdown. We landed on time at Barajas, greeted by an amazing sunrise over the Spanish capital, the kind of arrival that reminds you why overnight transatlantic flights can feel so special.
Verdict – Iberia A330 Business Class Miami to Madrid
This flight on Iberia’s A330-300 Business Class was a solid and comfortable way to cross the Atlantic, though not without a few drawbacks.
✅ Positives:
- Comfortable lie-flat seat with mattress, pillow, and blanket provided.
- Smooth overnight flight with good rest quality (4+ hours of solid sleep).
- Food quality was good overall, especially the salmon starter and sea bass main.
- Excellent value for money — €1,100 one-way to Oslo via Madrid is hard to beat.
- On-time arrival into Madrid with a beautiful sunrise.
⚠️ Negatives:
- Crew service was not up to Iberia’s usual standard — slightly inconsistent and less attentive than I’ve experienced before.
- Entertainment system on the A330 felt dated and less responsive, showing its age compared to the A350.
- Catering ex-Miami wasn’t as strong as what Iberia typically serves out of Madrid.
Final Thoughts
Iberia’s A330 Business Class remains a reliable transatlantic option, particularly if you find a good fare. While the cabin isn’t as modern as the airline’s A350s and the service wasn’t at its best on this occasion, the core product — a wide seat, fully flat bed, and decent food — makes for a very comfortable overnight crossing.
For U.S.-based travelers heading to Europe, Iberia offers a convenient way to reach Madrid and beyond with the benefits of oneworld connectivity. At the price I paid, it was unquestionably worth it.
