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.
H/T: One Mile at a Time
