Iberia has chosen Argentina as the first intercontinental market to debut the new A350 Next aircraft, which include its new cabin products, on the Madrid (MAD) – Buenos Aires (EZE) route. Gradually, these aircraft will be incorporated on the company’s other Latin American services.
On January 3, flight IB 6845 was operated by the A350-900 with registration EC-NXE and christened «Ciudad de Quito», which took off with 352 passengers from Adolfo Suarez International Airport (MAD) at 12:53 local time and landed at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) at 20:49, after 11 hours and 57 minutes.
As part of the celebration of the A350 Next’s entry into service, passengers were presented with a Panasonic state-of-the-art headset, as well as an amenity kit designed for all classes, and a cocktail as part of the onboard service.
Iberia continues to strengthen its presence in the Argentine market, where it has increased its operations to two daily flights. According to data obtained by Aviacionline through Aena Estadísticas, in the period January – November 2022, 691,007 passengers and 14,094 tons of cargo were mobilized between Madrid (MAD) and Buenos Aires (EZE) in 2,466 operations.
The company’s new A350s feature aerodynamic improvements, a one-ton reduction in aircraft weight for improved efficiency at Hot & High airports, as well as new flap positions and a faster retracting landing gear.
Cabin improvements and new products
The Airbus A350-900s have a new configuration for 352 passengers in three classes (31 Business Class/28 Premium Economy/293 Economy Class) and offer the company’s new cabin products. It also incorporates an innovative new-generation in-flight entertainment system that Iberia has developed with Panasonic, called IFE Next.
The cabin has a new lighting system with 6 lighting moods -wake up, meal, relax, sleep, boarding, take-off and landing-. In the bathrooms, the faucets are touch-free and the linings are made of antibacterial materials.
Business Class
- The seats have a secondary screen, located at the bottom, which is activated to send messages to the crew without interfering with the content.
- Noise-canceling headphones will be offered.
- The seat offers an independent door and an enclosed suite structure.
- All seats have independent aisle access.
- The new seat offers wood finish and other details that offer warmth and comfort.
It has articulated leather headrests and more space for personal items.
Premium Economy
- It also incorporates articulated headrests, which fold and adjust on both sides of the head.
- Includes a remote control for in-flight entertainment with touch-screen navigation panel and specific gamming functionalities.
- The entertainment screen is larger than the previous product, increasing from 12 to 13 inches.
Economy
- The headrests are articulated, folding and adjusting to either side of the head.
- The seats incorporate a comfortable support for supporting and charging personal electronic devices.
- The entertainment screen is larger than the previous product, increasing from 10 to 12 inches.
