Most of the reviews on airlines written on Ciao (UK, Italy, France, Spain) or similar web sites are based on a single flight experience. And the judgement, of course, is based on such situation. I think that a correct judgement must be based on four or five flights experience.
Then, if you pay £ 200 (or 300 Euro) to fly from London to Sydney you can't pretend to eat caviar and champagne and have a 50" seat pitch. Instead most of the claims in the reviews are based on foods and seat comfort.
And after this introduction I'm going to write about Iberia, one of the most blamed airlines in the world.
Iberia is the national airline of Spain and its fleet is one of the youngest in Europe as the average age of its aircrafts is 7 years (the oldest aircraft is an MD80 manufactured in 1981). By the end of 2006 all MD80 and Boeing 747, along with some Airbus 320, will be phased out and replaced with Airbus 318/319 and 330/340. The aircrafts are well maintained and you can feel this situation looking the cabin interior that is scratches free and seats are not worn.
Personally I put Iberia on the same quality level of Alitalia, Air France and KLM and one step down of British Airways and Lufthansa (but one step up of Olimpic, Sabena and Tap). I have been flying Iberia since 1972 (some flights in Economy, many in Business and several in First to south America) and I never faced problems with my luggage that always have arrived with me. Of course some flights were delayed but everything was within the acceptable range (and when the delay was over two hours I always got meal voucher and few time also money vouchers to use for future flights).
The catering is on the same level of other airlines: fair quality in Economy (since 6 months ago on flights within Europe, Iberia offers only foods and drinks against passenger payment and some friends of mine told me that the ratio quality/price is excellent), good quality and selection in Business and top in First (Iberia will remove the First class section from all its flights starting from the third quarter of 2005).
The Flight Attendants (F/As) are very reluctant to speak a language different than Spanish beside the standard announcements that are always made in Spanish and English (the announcements in the language of the departure or destination country are pre-recorded), and this attitude is rightly not accepted by no Spanish or no-Spanish speaking passengers. Personally I can say that, beside the language point, the F/As show their efficiency, kindness and capacity. Sometimes they might look rude but I always discovered this situation to the flights to south America when passengers are asking more that they should expect or have.
Again I always got service and quality according to what I paid and consequently my review in based on this type of experience and feeling.
You can book and buy your flight online at Iberia dot com site and have an E-ticket or a traditional paper one delivered to your house within 48 hours at a nominal cost.
Personally I suggest to fly to Iberia if your destination is included in its network. Don't forget that right now on European flights Iberia prices are only slightly higher than low-cost airlines but you fly out and to main airports and not ex-military airstrips where the terminal is a metal shelter without services. And furthermore Iberia still offers the best prices to south America destinations as well as Miami.
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Im lucky, I speak spanish and so I dont have aproblem with attendants on Iberia. I prefer to speak spanish to a spaniard than expect them speak english. Its more respectful !
Heidi xx
TomlinsonSE 15.05.2005 13:33
Great Review. Sue
MALU 12.05.2005 20:59
I appreciate your introduction, how silly to judge an airline after using it only once as the majority of writers does!
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Advantages: We got from London Heathrow to Madrid and back safely and on time Disadvantages: British Airways codeshare; I'm sure that BA would have been somewhat better!
andymcf 27.08.2006 (27.08.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Iberia - IBE
Advantages: Good food, reliable, new planes, helpful staff, online booking. Disadvantages: Some delays sometimes experienced and some staff can be a little rude.
danieletheridge 18.12.2000 (28.04.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Iberia - IBE
Advantages: Good food, reliable, new planes, helpful staff, online booking. Disadvantages: Some delays sometimes experienced and some staff can be a little rude.
danieletheridge 18.12.2000 (28.04.2001)
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Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Iberia - IBE
Apr 25th, 2005
very helpful by (98%):
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