Hiya from america, as I’ve accomplished my fast Aer Lingus & Iberia A321XLR journey. On the best way out, I flew Aer Lingus’ Airbus A321XLR enterprise class, which I’ve already coated. Then for the return, I flew Iberia’s Airbus A321XLR enterprise class on the eight hour flight from Madrid (MAD) to Washington (IAD), which I’ll be speaking about on this put up. For what it’s price, I booked this ticket utilizing 57,500 American AAdvantage miles.
The first motive I took this particular flight is to fly the A321XLR, the longest vary slim physique business jet in manufacturing, which solely commenced operations in latest months. I’ll share extra ideas on flying the A321XLR as such in a separate put up. It’s cool to notice that the jet I flew — EC-OIL — was the world’s first A321XLR to enter business service.
So, what was my takeaway from this Iberia enterprise class flight? Actually, I’m conflicted. There have been facets of the expertise that I fairly preferred, just like the cabin design, the know-how, and the bedding. However there have been additionally some shortcomings, just like the precise seat consolation, and facets of the meal service. Under I’ll share some preliminary ideas, after which quickly I’ll publish my full journey report.
Iberia’s A321XLR enterprise class seats are… I’m conflicted
Iberia’s A321XLRs characteristic 14 enterprise class seats, unfold throughout seven rows, in a 1-1 configuration. The airline opted for the the Thompson Aero VantageSOLO seat, the identical seat that you just’ll discover in JetBlue Mint on the A321LR. My first impression of the cabin was constructive, and that it was actually swanky-looking. There’s simply one thing undeniably cool about premium configured slim physique plane.
Iberia’s A321XLR enterprise class has herringbone seats, that means that your head is close to the window, and also you face the aisle.
Not like on JetBlue, Iberia elected to not set up doorways at seats. At first I used to be puzzled by this choice, however I’ve gotta say, that truly didn’t trouble me one bit. Resulting from how these seats are angled and positioned, you mainly don’t see anybody out of your seat, together with the particular person throughout from you.
Many individuals will admire that there’s fairly a big ottoman you may place your toes on, so there’s no small footwell you must place your toes into, not like in another configurations. Observe that not like on JetBlue, the bulkhead seat isn’t some form of a “enterprise class plus” product, and it really has a smaller footwell than the opposite seats.
The counter by the seat has a good bit of uncovered storage, plus AC, USB-A, and USB-C charging.
On prime of that, there’s a pretty big enclosed storage compartment reverse that, which is a useful place to retailer issues throughout the flight.
Based mostly on wanting on the seat, I had a really constructive impression. I additionally had a constructive impression when initially sitting within the seat. Nevertheless, because the flight went on, there have been facets of it that I discovered to be fairly uncomfortable.
For instance, the left and proper armrests are at completely different heights, and and in addition completely different distances from the seat, so your arm on one aspect is form of simply dangling, because of the lack of assist. Moreover, the seat feels on the slim aspect (and I’m not an enormous man), and also you simply can’t assist however really feel a bit constrained.
The mattress additionally feels tight, however then once more, not less than the footwell isn’t small, not like with another seats.
At the very least the bedding was nice, with a cushty pillow and blanket, and even a mattress pad.
Earlier than I took this journey, I used to be considering that I’d far choose Iberia’s exhausting product to Aer Lingus’ exhausting product. However now I’m not so certain.
Iberia’s A321XLR leisure & tech are wonderful
The Iberia A321XLR has phenomenal tech. Every seat has a beautiful 18″ 4K monitor that folds out. Not solely is the image high quality nice, however the system is simple to make use of, and extremely responsive.
On prime of that, there’s bluetooth audio, so to use your individual headphones with the leisure system.
I discovered the leisure choice to be stable, with a whole lot of films and TV reveals to select from.
Iberia additionally provides Panasonic Wi-Fi on its A321XLRs. Iberia Plus members and enterprise class passengers obtain free messaging, whereas a full flight Wi-Fi move with no knowledge caps value €20.49. I discovered that pricing to be truthful, and located speeds to be greater than adequate all through the flight.
Iberia’s enterprise class catering is tasty however restricted
I discovered Iberia’s enterprise class catering to be fairly good when it comes to high quality, however missing a bit when it comes to amount. Lunch was served after takeoff. That started with a drink service (I had a glass of Spanish white wine and a glowing water), served with some crackers, meat, and cheese.
Subsequent up, the appetizer and foremost course have been served on the identical tray. Of the 2 starters, I chosen the inexperienced tomatillo ceviche with roasted candy potato, avocado, coronary heart of palm, and cherry tomato. Then of the three mains, I chosen the grilled king prawns in a creamy seafood sauce served with squid ink black rice and roasted zucchini. They have been served with two items of bread.
Then there was the selection of two desserts or cheese, and I chosen the Catalan cream ice cream with white chocolate sticks and crispy wafer. Yum.
The meal high quality was fairly good, although the service was actually gradual — it took 85 minutes after takeoff for the primary drink to be served, which is an awfully very long time to attend, particularly with two flight attendants working the cabin. As a degree of comparability, on my Aer Lingus flight on the outbound, your entire meal service was finished inside an hour of takeoff. The crew was effectively intentioned, so I think they’re nonetheless getting used to this plane.
What actually dissatisfied me was the pre-arrival meal. We’re speaking about an eight hour daytime flight, and the extent of the pre-arrival meal was certainly one of two choices, each of which I’d describe as being appetizer sized.
I ordered the cod pie with roasted artichoke and sundried tomato. It tasted nice, but it surely was tiny — there no bread, or aspect, or dessert, or the rest. I heard a number of individuals remark in regards to the tiny portion. This needs to be one of many smallest pre-arrival meals I’ve seen on any airline, for a flight of this size.
Right here was yet one more draw back — someway there was no scorching water on the plane, so no scorching drinks have been accessible, together with drip espresso. That’s fairly tough!
Backside line
I’m delighted I had the prospect to fly Iberia’s Airbus A321XLR, and particularly, the first-ever A321XLR to enter business service. Iberia’s A321XLR enterprise class is fairly swanky, with a spiffy-looking and intimate cabin, wonderful tech, and comfy bedding.
Nevertheless, there have been additionally some downsides to the expertise. The A321XLR enterprise class seats really feel tight, and I discovered the principle meal service to be very gradual, whereas I discovered the pre-arrival service to be very restricted. I wouldn’t thoughts flying the Iberia A321XLR once more if the worth or schedule was proper, but it surely’s not essentially an expertise I’d particularly search out once more. I do nonetheless need to fly Iberia’s new A350 enterprise class within the close to future, although…
What’s your tackle Iberia’s A321XLR enterprise class?
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