Iberia

[Vicky]

Has anyone flown Iberia over to Gran Canaria?

Im looking for my summer flights and they are cheaper but obviously you have the change in Madrid....how much of a nightmare is it?
We will have 2 kids with us so not sure if its worth the saving really but they are coming out cheapest at the minute and the arrival time is better aswell.

Just seems a bit long winded taking 2 flights so after opinions from people who have done it.

Thanks Vicky

[colinb]

We have used the service from Heathrow several times. It can be a rush changing terminals in Madrid, there is quite a distance to go usually. If it is tight they sometimes escort you or let you disembark from the flight first. Our luggage did miss the connection coming home once, but that was probably because BA wouldn't wait for it to be loaded.( sometimes the flight between Madrid and Heathrow is BA because of code sharing)
Although the total journey was 6.5 hours there is the benefit of being able to check in online and choose seats for both legs of the journey out, and check in using the kiosk at Las Palmas for the return journey. There is also no need to queue for an individual flight, any Iberia desk will do.
Food and drink on the plane is chargeable and quite expensive for what you get. We have 2 future flights booked as it is reasonable, and now BA is easyJet, you can't book 11 months in advance with them. The winter schedule with easyJet won't be out until around June I was told, no good if you want to guarantee a Xmas or New Year flight.

[Cotswolder]

We have been using Iberia for the past 5 years.
Always far better than the package flights. Addmitedly the overall travel time can be a couple of hours longer but you do get the benefit of a break in Madrid or Barcelona.

Depending on which part of Terminal 4 at Madrid you arrive at you could have a long walk and train ride to the other half for the outbound flight.

Personally, we will not travel any other way to GC now

[santino]

I have been using iberia for the last few years from ireland and always found the journey fine , it can be a rush sometimes for your connecting flight but worth it when they are so much cheaper. they have a strict policy that the credit card holder must be present when flying , as i had booked flights on a friends card i was charged a penalty fee of 127euro per person in las palmas so make sure you use your own.

[Vicky]

Thanks everyone for the really speedy replies there!!!!

I have a choice of connecting flights so i assume you would recommend i take a slightly longer connection in Madrid then?

Can you pre book meals? Just thinking about the kids?
Also i presume they have a TV or is it all spanish?

Thanks again Vicky

[colinb]

Hi Vicky, the food is simply in snack form ordered from a menu card, we never bothered, it's probably better to take something on board with you for the kids. There was no entertainment on the flights we used. I would not extend the time in Madrid, they hold flights back to allow terminal changes.

[Lucy]

I know by the looks of it I am out numbered here Vicky but....DON'T DO IT!!

I flew with Iberia a few times however never more after a nightmare trip a few years ago.The trip there was fine, Heathrow via Madrid and I liked Iberia for the flexible times and the fact they fly from Heathrow (close to home) but the Madrid connection was always a worry, and on the trip back from Las Palmas I was proved right!

Our flight from LPA to Madrid was delayed because of some very late Spaniards who breezed onto the plane without a care in the world. I mentioned my connection to London to the Iberia staff who assured me that the plane would "wait for connecting passengers"....YEH RIGHT!!!(How naive was I!!) Consequently, we arrived late in Madrid,and anyone who has flown via Madrid before from LPA to Heathrow will tell you that you arrive in one zone of the airport and have to get a little bus transfer over to another zone to get the flight to Heathrow so we ran like hell to get the bus (which we sat waiting for for what seemed like an eternity), ran like hell to get the connecting flight (having had to go thru security checks again naturally) and lo and behold.......we had missed the flight.I was amongst only a very few passengers conneting to London that evening and amongst the group was a Spanish family. We went over to the Iberia desk to explain the situation and the family were in front of me in the queue. The family were of course quite stressed (as was I!!) and in intense conversation with the girl behind the desk. I understand Spanish and what stuck with me to this day were her words to the Dad in the family " Well if you pay cheap, you have to expect this"!!!!!!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!! I got to the desk and the unhelpful, disinterested woman informed me that there were no more flights to Heathrow and I either had to stay in a hotel overnight or change to a gatwick flight. So four hours later in the airport I ended up flying BA to Gatwick.

After the words of that girl to that Spanish guy there is NO WAY I would fly with Iberia again.It is not worth the stress.Great if it all goes smoothly but be wary of your connections and the fact that if you are delayed your are screwed!!!:sadguy:

[coolcreen]

I have flown Iberia and will do so again. I would however advise extending the time in Madrid as it will greatly reduce stress levels if you flight to Madrid is late

[rab_c.]

yes agree we have used connecting flights and have always tried to ensure that we have a 2-3hour break and a bite to eat and treat it as part of the holiday it greatly reduces the stress especially if you have kids with you.
just think of the film home alone and theres the road you can go down with all the rushing about on delayed flights lost kids etc.

[MARCUS]

Well viewers.....
After reading your posts (most enjoyable may i add) it's enough to put anybody off travelling " for life"
" Lucy " mentions in her post " quote" -
" If you are delayed you are " SCREWED " (i would imagine you most certainly would be if you were on a " flight to Bangkok" .........)
Of course i (myself) enjoy " a bit of travelling" (i have in the past been compared to " ALAN WICKER " - " a well travelled man" )
You see viewers, " you brits " need to learn to " chillout " a bit more.
For " maxium chill " i would highly recommend an " apple ipod shuffle" loaded with some cool " Buddha experience" soothing tunes...
are you feeling relaxed now viewers..........?
:mellow: Mr M x

[oddynoki]

Ive never found Iberia to be the cheapest, Ive tried combinations with Ryanair, easy jet etc.
We normally find it cheapest to fly direct with one airline there and another back, usually Jet2.com, Thomsonfly or FirstChoice

[Vicky]

Thanks everyone, tons of replies and mostly good experiences.

Im going to check the connection times today.

Iberia are the cheapest for me at the minute, easyjet were followed by Thomson but as i still havent got my fixed dates and havent been able to book prices keep going up as they do.

Before i book i will definitly check every single airline AGAIN lol but i think these will be best for August now.

Thanks Vicky

[scousergirl]

We flew with Iberia last year without any hassles and have booked with them again this year. Stopping at madrid not a problem as you have a chance to stretch your legs pop into Mc Donalds all in a modern air conditioned airport, beats being squeezed onto a 4hr flight with one of the big names anyday:thumb: Also if you smoke there are glass smoking booths inside the terminal where you can calm your nerves lol

[Vicky]

Thanks, they are still coming out cheaper and we arrrive during the day and come home at a reasonable time aswell some other flights are really bad times and i hate night flights!

[coolcreen]

Sometimes, if the incoming flight is late arriving in Madrid, they hold the outgoing flight to accomodate you. They do not always have time to transfer the luggage on occasions. For this reason, bring (allowed) essentials in your hand luggage, obiously excluding sharp items and liquids. Generally, the luggage arrives at your accomodation by courier the following day.

[Vicky]

Thanks for the tip.
Im still not sure what to do but need to decide before prices increase any more!
If i fly Iberia its a saving of just under £150 total for 4 of us or i could just go easyjet on a direct flight as they are the next cheapest.....really not sure what to do!

Cant decide if its worth the saving to be changing etc ARGH i hate these decisions! I mean £150 is a couple of good nights in xtreeemz.

[AndNorr1964]

Iberia every time for me clean comfortable and reliable need I say more:fatgrin:

[Lucy]

" Lucy " mentions in her post " quote" -
" If you are delayed you are " SCREWED " (i would imagine you most certainly would be if you were on a " flight to Bangkok" .........)
You see viewers, " you brits " need to learn to " chillout " a bit more.



I wont enquire if you speak from personal experience Marcus......:eyebrow:

....umm.....correct me if I'm wrong, but are you not a BRIT yourself Marcus????? If not, you certainly have a British "twang" to your posts!