In a Survey Conducted by Skytrax Aviation Marketing Consultants
The newly-designed seats used in Iberia’s “Business Plus” seating section on intercontinental flights earned top marks in a survey conducted by Skytrax, a prestigious aviation market consulting firm. Iberia´s new seat were rivalled by those of just four other airlines in the world, only one of them European.
The new Business Plus seats, which are available on Iberia’s long-haul aircraft, were designed to Iberia’s unique specifications and are the most notable feature of the new cabins. The seats can be transformed into completely flat beds that are 1.9 metres long and 88 centimetres wide. They also have adjustable head rests, fold-down arm rests, and extendible leg rests. A double back cushion has a massage function and can be adjusted for the proper rest of the spinal column. The distance between rows in the Business Plus section is a generous 152 centimetres, and the seat-beds are set in rigid pods that ensure more room for the passenger while preventing any invasion of space by the passenger in front.
Iberia’s Business Plus seating class also features the latest entertainment and communications systems. Long-distance business travellers have individual 14” touch screens and satellite telephones, laptop power and connection ports, and facilities for receiving and sending both email and cell phone text messages. Passengers can enjoy six interactive computer games, 12 audio channels and 26 video channels with first-run films, information about the flight, real-time images from the aircraft exterior, and a wide variety of musical options. The gourmet meal service offerings were designed by the renowned Spanish chef Sergi Arola.
Every week Iberia operates 228 flights between Madrid and 17 Latin American cities, with direct connections from and to 34 additional destinations in Spain, 37 European cities, and nine destinations in Africa and the Middle East. Under code-sharing arrangements with other airlines, Iberia also offers flights to an additional 26 Latin American cities. Other Iberia’s long haul destinations are Chicago, Miami, New York and Johannesburg.
Today Iberia is Spain’s leading airline and also leader on routes linking Europe with Latin America. It posted 2005 sales of more than 5,603 million euros, and net earnings of 396 million euros. It is also distinguished by its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible conduct. Along with its franchise partner Iberia Regional, Iberia operates some 1,000 flights each day to about 100 different destinations. Last year Iberia carried a total of 32.4 million passengers. It is a charter member of the oneworld airline alliance, along with Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, LAN Chile, and Qantas.
