Iberia Airlines Review [2025]: What's it like flying with Iberia?

One of the good things about visiting Europe is that almost anywhere is accessible by public transportation, and if anything, flying from country to country is relatively cheap.

For me personally, when I'm traveling to Europe, I always go for low-cost European budget airlines when flying shorter trips. Airlines like RyanAir, EasyJet, and FlyTAP are my go-tos for flights in Europe.

Another one of my go-tos is Iberia Airlines. While it's not a budget airline per se, the affordable fares make it an attractive option.

While they're certainly not the best airlines (far from that), they get the job done (most of the time lol).

My colleagues and I have written reviews on most of these airlines so travelers like us can stay informed on the pros and cons of flying with these low-cost carriers, so I thought it'd be fitting to write about one of the biggest budget airlines in Europe, Iberia Airlines.

Just because Iberia is Spain's official carrier doesn't mean it's the best option.

Today, I'll review Iberia Airlines (IB) so you can be informed before you book that trip. Let's dive into Iberia to find out whether their cheap flight deals are as good as they sound!

What Is Iberia Airlines?

Iberia is Spain's flag carrier airline. Founded in 1927, it is currently based at Madrid's Barajas Airport.

Initially, Iberia Airlines would only fly within the Spanish territories. However, after World War II, it started to fly to more distant destinations across the UK, Europe, and even Latin America.

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) houses the home hub of Iberia Airlines, while they primarily serve out of Barcelona's El Prat Airport (BCN) as their focus city.

Today, Iberia Group airlines fly to 39 different countries globally for a total of 109 destinations on almost all continents, including North and South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East!

First things first: Is Iberia a budget airline?

Not exactly. Iberia is Spain’s flag carrier and technically not a low-cost airline like Ryanair or EasyJet.

But the prices? Often just as good, especially for short-haul European flights. If you’re looking for affordable flights without going full no-frills, Iberia can be a great option.

They also operate Iberia Express, which is their ultra low-cost arm, so you might end up flying with either depending on your route.

Iberia Plus

If you fly frequently with Iberia, you might want to consider getting their rewards program. You'll get a card when you register with the program, and depending on the number of flights you take or the mileage you have with them, you'll ascend up their tiered rewards program. Here are their tiers:

• Iberia Plus Clásica
• Iberia Plus Silver (Ruby)
• Iberia Plus Gold (Sapphire)
• Iberia Plus Platinum (Emerald)
• Iberia Plus Infinita (Emerald)
• Iberia Plus Infinita Prime (Emerald)

Depending on your tiers, you'll be able to earn up to 8 Avios for every euro you spend on your trip + additional benefits like skipping the waitlist, free upgrades, no additional fees, exclusive customer service portal, etc.

In addition, through its alliance with OneWorld, you can transfer points if they both use Avios as their awards program.

Iberia's Fleets

Iberia Airlines currently operates an all-Airbus fleet, with A319s, A320/neos, A321s, A330-200/300, and A350-900s.

Iberia Airlines, unlike other budget airlines, have both Economy, Premium Economy, and Business classes for long-haul flights. They also serve hot meals and beverages on Economy classes for international long haul flights.

For international flights that are longer, the experience was generally comfortable. There's usually in-flight entertainment systems with additional offerings like blankets and pillows.

If comfort is a concern, I recommend going for the premium economy (preferably through redeeming points). This option offers additional space for personal items, noise-cancelling headphones, more legroom and reclining features, and authentic Spanish dishes.

Is Iberia Airlines Safe?

Yes—very. Despite a few tragic incidents in the early decades of its operation, Iberia hasn’t had any fatal accidents since 1985. That’s a solid safety record, especially for a major international carrier.

Modern Iberia flights are operated with updated aircraft, and they meet all EU aviation safety regulations. I’ve never personally had any concerns about safety while flying with them—and I wouldn’t hesitate to book again.

Food Included Aboard Iberia Air

I get rather peckish whenever I fly, so I always research to find out whether there's grub on board.

If your flight is under 4.5 hours, expect minimal service—maybe a drink and a snack, but that’s it.

Longer flights (over 4.5 hours) include meals in all cabins, which was a nice surprise the first time.

The food is... fine. Nothing exciting, but better than what you’d get on a true budget airline.

You can request special meals at least 24 hours in advance, but don’t expect anything super accommodating if you have allergies—I'd recommend bringing snacks just in case.

What's Its Luggage Policy?

If you’re flying with Iberia, their baggage policy is pretty standard for a full-service European airline—but you’ll still want to double-check the fine print before you pack.

Carry-on luggage

For Economy and Premium Economy, you’re allowed:

• 1 cabin bag: max 56 x 40 x 25 cm, up to 10 kg
• 1 personal item (like a small backpack, purse, or laptop bag): max 40 x 30 x 15 cm

If you’re flying Business Class (short or medium haul), your cabin bag weight limit increases to 14 kg.

On long-haul Business Plus flights, you can bring two cabin bags—each up to the same size and weight (56 x 40 x 25 cm, 14 kg)—plus a personal item.

One thing to note: if the flight is full and overhead space is tight, Iberia may ask you to gate-check your cabin bag for free. This is not ideal if you're in a rush, so try to board early if you want to keep your bag with you.

Checked baggage

If you booked an economy fare, checked baggage usually isn’t included unless you paid for a fare that includes it. On most routes, the standard allowance is:

• 1 checked bag up to 23 kg
• Max size: 158 cm total (height + width + length)

If your bag weighs between 23 and 32 kg, you’ll need to pay an overweight fee. Bags over 32 kg are not accepted.

Business Class fare includes a checked bag, which is a nice perk if you’re traveling with heavier luggage.

Reviews: What Are Other Travelers Saying?

Iberia doesn’t exactly crush it in online ratings.

On sites like TripAdvisor, it hovers around 3.0/5.0 stars—mostly dragged down by customer service complaints. A lot of people mention long wait times to get help, poor communication, and the occasional issue with lost bags.

Personally, I’ve flown with a bunch of budget airlines, and Iberia is kind of middle-of-the-pack. Not amazing, not terrible.

Other common complaints? Not much in the way of drink or food choices on short-haul flights, and some seat discomfort. But honestly, that’s kind of par for the course in this price bracket.

Customer Service: A mixed bag

This is where Iberia loses points.

Their customer service is notoriously slow—both online and by phone. I’ve had better luck getting responses through Twitter/X or by contacting them during airport hours at the gate.

Emailing? Forget it. Expect auto-replies or long waits.

That said, I always book Iberia flights with my Amex, just in case. They've helped me get refunds or compensation for delays.

Iberia Airline's Cancellation Policy

If Iberia cancels or delays your flight significantly, you're entitled to a full refund or a free rebooking—standard under EU passenger rights.

But if you need to cancel, refunds depend on your fare. Most economy tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable unless you paid for a flexible fare.

With Iberia’s Flexible Ticket option, you can cancel at least 15 days before departure and get:

• A voucher for 80% of your fare on short/medium-haul flights
• A full voucher refund on long-haul flights
• One free flight change, no rebooking fee (fare difference still applies)

Always double-check the fare conditions before booking. If you booked through a third-party site, cancellations and changes must go through them directly.

Is Iberia Airlines Worth It?

If you find a good deal—yes. I wouldn’t go out of my way to fly Iberia, but I also wouldn’t avoid them. I think that with Iberia Airlines, you get the service that you've paid for.

I know that sounds like a middle of the road answer, but there doesn't seem to be a great consensus on experience.

They’re a good middle-ground airline if you want something cheaper than the major full-service carriers but a bit better than ultra-budget options.

Just be proactive with customer service, read the luggage rules carefully, and try to book with a credit card that has good travel protection.

My Rating: 3.6/5

Pros:

• Competitive fares for Europe and transatlantic routes
• Premium Economy is solid
• Food included on long-haul flights
• Oneworld alliance perks

Cons:

• Customer service is hit-or-miss
• Minimal amenities on short-haul flights
• Strict luggage rules
• Refunds are hard to get

Iberia Airlines FAQs

Is Iberia a good airline?
I’d say it’s decent. Not exceptional, but safe and mostly reliable.

Is Iberia part of American Airlines?
No, but they’re both part of the Oneworld alliance, so you can earn and use points between them.

Is Iberia considered low-cost?
Iberia isn’t a low-cost airline, but its prices can be just as low. Iberia Express is their budget version.

Is Iberia better than Ryanair?
For longer flights or when comfort matters—yes. For the cheapest ticket from A to B—maybe not.

Does Iberia fly to the US?
Yes, they’ve been expanding their U.S. routes, including New York, Miami, Boston, L.A., and more.