Iberia Business Class Review from Madrid to Lima on the A350
Join me on my amazing return flight aboard Iberia’s Airbus A350-900 Business Class from Lima (LIM) to Madrid (MAD). In this detailed trip report, I’ll walk you through every step of the experience:
- Smooth check-in at Jorge Chávez International Airport
- Relaxing in the Sumaq VIP Lounge before boarding
- A full tour of the 1–2–1 flatbed Business Class seat
- Spanish-inspired in-flight dining and premium wines
- Onboard entertainment and connectivity options
- A restful night crossing the Atlantic
- Night arrival in Madrid
If you’re planning a trip between South America and Europe or are curious about Iberia’s flagship A350 Business Class, this review will give you a clear picture of what to expect on this 11-hour flight.
Flight details:
- Flight number: IB6652
- Date: April 23, 2024
- Route: Lima (LIM) → Madrid (MAD)
- Departure: 11:40 local time
- Arrival: 06:10 local time
- Duration: ~11 hours
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
- Class: Business Class
- Frequent flyer program: Oneworld / Iberia Plus
- Lounge access: Sumaq VIP Lounge, Lima
Lima Airport (LIM)
I arrived at the old Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) under the blazing Peruvian sun, well ahead of my scheduled departure. A word of advice for travelers: traffic in Lima can be unpredictable, and the drive to the airport can easily take up to two hours during rush hour. Luckily, on this day the journey was smooth, and I reached the terminal in just 30 minutes.
The terminal at Lima Airport is compact and relatively easy to navigate, though it’s not the most modern compared to other major South American hubs. As a Business Class passenger with Iberia, I had access to a dedicated priority check-in counter, which made the process quick and painless. Unfortunately, Lima does not offer a dedicated fast-track lane at security – a drawback on busy days when queues can be long and slow-moving.
Immigration, however, was efficient this time, and within minutes I was cleared and heading toward the Sumaq VIP Lounge to relax before boarding my Iberia A350 Business Class flight to Madrid.
Sumaq VIP Lounge
For this flight, Iberia used the Sumaq VIP Lounge, located past immigration in the international departures area at Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport. While it’s not as large or modern as Iberia’s flagship Velázquez Premium Lounge in Madrid, it still offered a decent selection of hot and cold dishes, light snacks, Peruvian specialties, and a variety of drinks.
From August 2025, Iberia Business Class passengers will instead gain access to LATAM’s brand-new lounge at Lima’s new airport terminal — a major upgrade. I’ll be reviewing that lounge later this year, so stay tuned for a full comparison!
The Sumaq Lounge itself lacks natural light and offers no direct views of the aircraft outside, which makes it feel a bit closed in. On the plus side, the Wi-Fi was reliable, and there were both quiet areas and workstations available for passengers who needed to catch up on emails before boarding.
Overall, it’s a perfectly decent lounge to spend an hour or two, even if it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
Boarding Iberia’s A350
Boarding began around 40 minutes before departure, with priority boarding for Business Class and Oneworld elite passengers. Everything moved efficiently, and within minutes I was stepping aboard the sleek Airbus A350-900 that would carry me across the Atlantic to Madrid.
Iberia’s Business Class cabin on the A350 is designed in a 1–2–1 configuration, meaning every passenger enjoys direct aisle access. The cabin felt bright, minimalist, and modern — a clean design that matches Iberia’s understated style.
The crew greeted passengers with genuine Spanish hospitality, offering a warm welcome and a choice of pre-departure drinks. I opted for a refreshing orange juice, the perfect way to set the tone for an overnight flight to Europe.
While this isn’t Iberia’s very newest “Next Generation” Business Class suite, it still delivers an excellent product: spacious seating, a calm atmosphere, and all the essentials for a comfortable long-haul journey.
Iberia Business Class Seat and Entertainment
The Iberia A350 Business Class seat converts into a fully flat bed with generous width and length — ideal for getting proper rest on this overnight flight to Madrid. Each seat comes with plenty of storage space, as well as easily accessible USB ports and universal power outlets, so keeping devices charged throughout the journey is no problem.
Waiting at the seat were a soft duvet, large pillow, and a thin mattress pad, all of good quality and perfect for turning the seat into a cozy bed in the sky. An amenity kit, featuring products from a Spanish brand, was also provided — a thoughtful touch that adds a premium feel.
The in-flight entertainment system featured a sharp, high-resolution screen with a wide selection of movies in both English and Spanish, along with music and TV series. While the headphones provided by Iberia are decent, I found that bringing your own noise-cancelling headphones makes the experience significantly better, especially on a long transatlantic sector.
Food onboard
Shortly after takeoff, a small amuse-bouche was served alongside drinks — a nice way to start the evening service. The dinner menu reflected a mix of Spanish and Peruvian flavors, showcasing Iberia’s culinary identity on this South America–Europe route.
For the starter, I chose a fresh shrimp salad, which was light and flavorful. The main course was a perfectly cooked beef filet with potato purée and vegetables — tender, rich, and one of the better Business Class mains I’ve had on Iberia.
Dessert was a smooth chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce, paired with a strong espresso that hit the spot before settling in for some rest.
During the night, a small self-service snack bar was available, offering sandwiches, nuts, and cookies. Before landing, breakfast was served — a simple but satisfying spread of fresh bread, yogurt, and fruit.
It’s worth noting that catering tends to be stronger on flights departing from Madrid, Iberia’s home hub, where the airline has more control over quality and variety. Still, the Lima catering was solid, and overall the meal service on this flight was enjoyable.
Flying from Lima to Madrid
After a smooth takeoff from runway 16L in Lima, we climbed westward over the Pacific before turning northeast, gaining altitude to clear the majestic Andes Mountains. The views were breathtaking — with peaks towering over 6,000 meters, it’s one of the most dramatic departures you can experience in South America.
From there, our flight path took us across the vast Amazon rainforest, before making the long Atlantic crossing toward Spain. These daytime departures from Lima can be tricky when it comes to rest — it’s hard to fall asleep so early in the day. By the time the sun finally set, around 6 pm local time, there were only six hours left until landing in Madrid.
Fortunately, the flight itself was calm, with just a bit of light turbulence over Brazil. Thanks to the comfortable flatbed seat and quiet cabin, I managed to get about five hours of solid sleep, which made the morning arrival much easier.
As dawn broke, we were greeted by a perfectly clear sky over the Spanish capital. We touched down a few minutes ahead of schedule and parked at Madrid-Barajas Terminal 4S, Iberia’s hub terminal. From here, connections to the rest of Europe via the Oneworld network were seamless and convenient.
Final verdict – Is Iberia A350 Business Class worth it?
From the professional service to the comfortable flatbed cabin and well-prepared meals, Iberia delivered a solid premium experience on this long-haul flight. While the catering may be slightly stronger on departures from Madrid, the Lima–Madrid service still offered everything needed for a smooth and enjoyable journey.
Overall, flying the Iberia A350-900 Business Class on this route is one of the most comfortable ways to travel between South America and Europe. With direct aisle access at every seat, a quiet and modern cabin, and Spanish hospitality throughout the journey, it’s a product that holds its own against major competitors.
If you can find a good fare — or better yet, redeem Iberia Plus Avios or Oneworld partner miles — the Lima to Madrid flight on Iberia’s A350 is absolutely worth considering. For frequent travelers across the Atlantic, it’s a reliable and enjoyable choice.
