Trip Report: Iberia A350 ‘Next’ Business Class, October 2023

Iberia has been rolling out its new ‘Next’ cabin across the A350 fleet. The new cabins mean upgrades across all classes, with the most noticeable improvements being in the Business Class cabin. The cabin now features new Recaro seats with doors which offer greater privacy, but do the new cabins elevate the entire passenger experience? I headed on a flight from Mexico City to find out. The new Iberia product is primarily operating on Latin American routes, with Mexico City and Bogota being some of the earmarked destinations for the new product. With up to three flights a day from Mexico City, there are plenty of opportunities to experience this product on this route.

On the ground

I flew from Mexico City’s Terminal 1, which is not considered the best terminal in Mexico City, as it is a bit outdated in comparison to Terminal 2 which Aeromexico uses. Iberia’s airline counters are located at the end of the terminal alongside other foreign international carriers. The space isn’t that well organised resulting in a slightly chaotic atmosphere.

However, I easily spotted the check-in area for Iberia, thanks to the large red screens in the corner, which included a dedicated business class check-in line. The check-in process was efficient and uneventful. A useful tip for business class passengers is to head to security gate G instead of joining the lengthy queue at gate J, as there is a Fast Track option available at Gate G, even though it is not signposted anywhere.

Security was quick so I made a quick stop at the duty-free shops before taking the escalators down to the main lounges. Iberia invites Business Class passengers to utilise the Grand Lounge Elite. This lounge, spread across two floors, is rather modest in size. The food options include both an à la carte selection and a buffet, although they are quite simple. There is a bar, although it didn’t particularly impress. Therefore, I decided to visit the American Airlines Admirals Club on the 2nd floor, which I had access to as a oneworld flight passenger.

Upon entering the Admirals Club, I was greeted by a spacious and quiet environment with plentiful seating. The lounge offers views inside the terminal as well as a more impressive view across the main runway of Mexico City. Although there is no à la carte menu, the semi-decent buffet spread and snacks, coupled with the well-stocked bar, ensure that there’s enough choice for passengers. However, it is worth noting that the lounge offerings here are not as impressive as those found in Iberia’s home base at Madrid.

Just before the boarding time, I made my way to the gate. Terminal 1 in Mexico City is essentially a long corridor, and due to limited space, things can get a little crowded when larger jets are involved. However, the gate teams allocate different areas for boarding groups to maximise the space on offer. The front of the gate clearly marks Group 1 for Business Class and elite card members.

Although the boarding process experienced a slight delay, the gate staff began boarding approximately 10 minutes later. Passengers needing assistance were the first to board, followed by Business Class passengers.

The Cabin

Upon boarding the aircraft, I was impressed by the view when boarding from the L2 door. Turning left, I was greeted by a sea of red screens, which added a splash of colour to the otherwise neutral cabin. The notable upgrade for Iberia is the presence of doors on the seats. Aside from that, the seating configuration remains the same as on the rest of Iberia’s wide-body fleet, with a 1 x 2 x 1 layout. The cabin features some nice touches, such as wooden veneer tabletops, which add warmth to the otherwise sterile atmosphere, and the textured seat fabric, which adds depth to the overall design.

For the Business Class cabin, the airline has opted to remove the centre bins which allows for a more spacious cabin, although with that there’s a lack of air vents too. The bulkheads have a soft grey veneer with a 3D polished metal Iberia logo on them.

The Seat

The seats feel spacious, although slightly narrower than their predecessors. They provide a comfortable space for a long-haul flight. When fully reclined, the seat transforms into a lengthy bed, and while the footwell may be tight, it does not feel overly restrictive. The centre seats also have an electronic seat divider, which, combined with the door, ensures a greater sense of privacy for solo travellers.

As I settled into my seat, the crew members approached me with enthusiasm, offering Champagne and menus for the upcoming flight. Taking a look around, I noticed a small literature pocket at the floor level, as well as easily accessible seat controls. Unfortunately, the seat controls were prone to accidental activation, especially when trying to relax.

The seat also features a basic controller with a trackpad, along with USB and USBC charging ports along with empower sockets. A pleasant surprise awaited me as I opened the personal storage compartment, which contained a pair of decent noise-canceling headphones. The amenity kit provided on this flight featured products from Germaine de Capuccini. I particularly appreciated the pattern inside the kit.

The table can be pulled out from below the screen and is impressively large. It is also foldable, allowing it to serve as a cocktail table when meals are not being served, which facilitates easy access from the seat.

Convenient coat hooks and foldable armrests are available on either side of the seat. However, the armrests feel somewhat like an afterthought and not an integral part of the seat’s original design. One remarkable feature is the multi-purpose bolster, which serves as a pillow and mattress topper, providing passengers with versatile comfort options.

With everything in place, I took a look at the menu. It was delightful to see a wide selection of Spanish wines on offer. Just before departure, the crew took our main course orders. Following the enjoyable and appropriately themed safety demonstration, I had the opportunity to explore the IFE system.

I must commend Iberia for offering an extensive range of movies, although the selection of TV shows was slightly more limited. Nevertheless, the ARC Inflight map proved to be an entertaining feature for many passengers.

The Food and Drink

Shortly after takeoff, the cabin lights were dimmed to create a soft ambiance, and hot towels were promptly distributed. The service commenced no more than 15 minutes after takeoff.

I opted for the fish ceviche, which was served on a tray with a tablecloth. The organic tableware design is great, but I really liked the Las Meninas-shaped salt and pepper shakers, which added some humour to the passenger experience, paying homage to the famous Spanish painter Velázquez.

The beef tenderloin I chose for the main course was expertly cooked, and the accompanying sauces were flavourful and perfectly complemented the dish. The salmon dish was also excellently prepared. It is worth noting that both of these dishes are notoriously challenging to cook properly on an aircraft. In comparison to other flights i’ve experienced on The service provided by the attentive crew was truly exceptional.

The highlight of the dining experience was undoubtedly the chocolate slice, which was accompanied by a deliciously smooth and sweet muscatel wine.

After dinner, the crew offered tea, coffee, and chocolates before it was time for everyone to get some rest. After placing the mattress topper on the seat and transforming it into a bed, the mood lighting gradually darkened the cabin, simulating a sunset onboard.

After finishing a movie, I decided it was time to get some sleep. I woke up approximately 2 hours before landing having enjoyed a very good rest. On waking I was served the second meal, which consisted of either an omelette with sausage, mushrooms, and tomatoes, or pancakes with a fruit coulis. After my previous coffee mishap on an Air France flight, I was delighted to be served these satisfying cups of coffee, which I continued to enjoy after the meal service ended. Roughly an hour before landing, the crew began preparing the cabin for arrival. As we made our approach over Madrid, I reflected on the journey.

In Conclusion

In my opinion, Iberia was previously a somewhat inconsistent airline, both in terms of its fleet and crews. However, this new cabin elevates the airline to a certain level. Business class provides a practical and effortless travel experience. Everything functions seamlessly, and the seats offer excellent comfort. The airline aimed to create a sense of home onboard, and to some extent, they have succeeded. The materials and neutral colours do evoke a residential feel, albeit a somewhat understated one. However, it should be noted that the cabin lacks some of the vibrancy, colour, and excitement that Spain is known for. By incorporating small elements such as colourful menus, brighter amenity kits and blankets, and more effective use of mood lighting during boarding, Iberia can inject the liveliness and flair we hope to experience in the future.

Nevertheless, these areas of improvement are minor details in what was otherwise an enjoyable flight. Although it may not have exceeded my expectations, I would not hesitate to fly this product again.

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