I flew Iberia two weeks ago from Munich to Almeria via Madrid and not for the first time. With 300 Euros, the ticket was expensive (and I booked 3 months ahead) but what can you do - the only alternative flies only once a week.
We arrived more than 2 hours prior to depature only to find a tremendous que there. Check-in took almost 40 minutes which is not acceptable. There were no self-check-in facilities with luggage as eg Lufthansa has. The flight left only 30 minutes late which hardly counts as delay with Iberia... The aircrafts are newer now and they have abolished their aircraft zoo (often: 4 flights = 4 different aircraft types, including a 727 as late as 2000..). But the legspace has not improved, on the contrary - on the Madrid flight, space was so tight that I could hardly move. Good that my neighbour in front of me didn't get the idea to flip down his seat - he wouldn't have been able... Additionally, it was very hot on that plane ant the air was very bad - as always under these conditions I caught a cold. The announcements were of course in Spanish and...shall we say Spenglish? It helps to speak some Spanish if travelling with Iberia but that's Spain (unless going to Mallorca or Ibiza) so why should they make an exception. Since 2004 you have to pay for your drinks and food which I find bad if you want to compete with Lufthansa and Air France and not with Easy Jet and Ryanair. Sorry, but when I pay 300 Euros for a ticket I want at least a coffee for free. Prices such as 3 € for a beer don't make it better. So I decided to boycot the whole thing and to have my coffee in Madrid Barajas instead. After the usual wait there and change of terminals to the dark and terrible T3 we continued on Iberia's regional daughter, Air Nostrum. The plane was a German chartered BAe 146 and a little worn out but here at least you get something to drink for free.. On the way back, it was Air Nostrum's own Canadair jet which left a better impression. Strangely enough, Air Nostrum's stewardesses seem to be the prettier and friendlier ones.. The miracle happened in Madrid on the Munich flight: It left on time! But to keep things realistic - the staff onboard was extra-unfriendly (both in Spanish and in pigeon-English).
What shall I say - sometimes you can get very good deals on Iberia (I got Almeria - Melilla for 27 € plus Tax, whoohaa!) which makes it worth considering. But Air France, Lufthansa and also Alitalia are definetely better. Would I recommend them? If they are much cheaper or if you have no choice - on some routes Iberia simply is the only one.