Iberia Details the Configuration and Routes for Its New A350
Iberia has announced the configurations and routes for its new A350 aircraft, as the Spanish carrier prepares for its first delivery of 16 aircraft it ordered several years ago to update its long-haul fleet.
Iberia will configure its A350 with 31 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 293 economy seats. The seat map is showing that business class will feature a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, similar to its other business-class configurations — and a great option for travelers, as every seat has direct aisle access. As for the other cabins, premium economy will feature a 2-4-2 configuration, while economy will be arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration.
The first route to feature the new A350 will be from the carrier's base in Madrid (MAD) to London Heathrow (LHR) from July 20 to August 18, 2018, (except August 4 - August 16, 2018). The aircraft will operate on the following schedule:
- IB3166 Madrid (MAD) 3:55pm Departure ⇒ London (LHR) 5:20pm Arrival
Following the launch on the short-haul between MAD and LHR, Iberia will operate the first long-haul route for the aircraft will on its daily route between MAD and New York (JFK) as of August 8, 2018, before adding a second daily frequency starting September 1, 2018. The aircraft will operate on the following schedule:
- IB6251 Madrid (MAD) 12:10pm Departure ⇒ New York (JFK) 2:20pm Arrival
- IB6250 New York (JFK) 5:15pm Departure ⇒ Madrid (MAD) 6:30am (+1) Arrival
... and the second daily frequency will operate on the following schedule:
- IB 6253 Madrid (MAD) 4:10pm Departure ⇒ New York (JFK) 6:30pm Arrival
- IB6252 New York (JFK) 8:50pm Departure ⇒ Madrid (MAD) 10:05am (+1) Arrival
There seems to be plenty of award space on the MAD-LHR route throughout the near-month that it will operate on the route. While not as plentiful, there also seems to be decent availability on the MAD-JFK route when searching through American.
The carrier will likely begin phasing out its older A330 and A340 long-haul aircraft for the newer and more fuel-efficient A350.
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