Iberia (362 pictures & videos)

10/10

Chris Davies

Brazil (GIG) to Spain (MAD), 01 Mar 2006

Business Class

(Menu Card)
Dinner and breakfast - The starter: toast and virgin olive oil, cauliflower with mascarpone cheese soup, marinated shrimps with passion fruit, mesclun leaves fresh salad, and mango, virgin olive oil and sherry vinegar. Main: filet mignon steak with fine herbs crust and vegetable grille. Alternatives offered included “namorado” fish with bacon and thyme, puree of banana and small caramelized onions; or baked vegetable lasagne. Dessert: assortment of cheeses with guava jam, chocolate and raspberry cake. Alternatives offered included papaya with cassis and raisin ice cream. Breakfast: cheese omelette with bacon and spinach sauté, fresh orange juice with seasonal fresh fruit and yoghurt, toasts, pastry, Colombian coffee.

Cava: Castillo Perelada Brut reserva; Vina esmeralda 2004 (white); Lan reserva 1998 (red)

IBERIA 1st March, 2006. GIG/MAD BusinessPlus. Travelling on a OneWorld RTW ticket, I boarded the flight in Rio De Janeiro and was very pleasantly surprised at the space and cleanliness of the cabin. This was an A340 600 model plane and quite new. The seat was very comfortable with an almost fully flat recline. I am 6’2” and although I was unable to lay fully stretched out, managed to sleep for a few hours on what was a 9 hour flight. The IFE system on this aircraft must be the most advanced I have ever seen. It is very easy to use and completely “on-demand”. This was a late afternoon flight and a comprehensive cabin service was offered which included pre takeoff Cava, in flight cocktails, and choices of three main courses and two desserts. The Flight Attendants were very friendly and professional. A couple of hours prior to landing in Madrid, a full breakfast was served. Overall, the service on this flight approximated what is often delivered as 1st class on other airlines, and as such represents excellent value. My only gripe is that the cabin was a bit overheated for my liking. On arrival in Madrid, I was further surprised with the new Terminal 4 which must be the largest and most automated air terminal in the world. The speed of baggage delivery needs to be improved though. One hour is far too long to wait.

Date added: 2008-05-21   //   Flight: 9:00   //   Aircraft: A340-600