transatlantic · 9h 45m · 7,824 km

Dallas to Madrid

2 airlines · 2 aircraft ranked

In business class, American's Flagship Business (787-9) edges out the field with a 7.1/10.In premium economy, American's Premium Economy (787-9) edges out the field with a 5.5/10.

How we score → Last updated June 2026

Quick pick

Best business class:close call

Fly American. It has 16 more inches of legroom and free Wi-Fi (paid on Iberia).

If fares are comparable, this is the better cabin.

Best premium economy:close call

Fly American. It has free Wi-Fi (paid on Iberia).

If fares are comparable, this is the better cabin.

Best economy:close call

Fly American. It has free Wi-Fi (paid on Iberia).

If prices are similar, go with this one.

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1
Flagship BusinessAmerican · Boeing 787-9 · 2016 cabinBest on route
Lie-flat · 1-2-1 · 60" pitchAvg. reliabilityPoints: Citi TYP
Free Wi-Fi
7.1
Very good
Seat 6.6·Amenity 7.9
2
Business PlusIberia · Airbus A350-900 · 2018 cabin
Lie-flat · 1-2-1 · 44" pitch · Paid Wi-FiAvg. reliabilityPoints: Chase UR, Amex MR, Bilt
6.9
Good
Seat 6.7·Amenity 7.3

Select two airlines to compare head-to-head

Data verified June 2026

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Airlines on this route

Route insights

  • In business class, American's Flagship Business (787-9) edges out the field with a 7.1/10.
  • In premium economy, American's Premium Economy (787-9) edges out the field with a 5.5/10.
  • In economy, American's Main Cabin (787-9) edges out the field with a 4.7/10.

Frequently asked

Which is better in business: American or Iberia on DFW-MAD?

Flagship Business (American Airlines, 787-9) and Business Plus (Iberia, A350-900) score virtually the same in business: 7.1 vs 6.9/10. The biggest gap is wi-fi — Free Wi-Fi vs Paid Wi-Fi — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.

Which is better in premium economy: American or Iberia on DFW-MAD?

Premium Economy (American Airlines, 787-9) and Premium Economy (Iberia, A350-900) score virtually the same in premium economy: 5.5 vs 5.2/10. The biggest gap is wi-fi — Free Wi-Fi vs Paid Wi-Fi — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.

Which is better in economy: American or Iberia on DFW-MAD?

Main Cabin (American Airlines, 787-9) and Economy (Iberia, A350-900) score virtually the same in economy: 4.7 vs 4.4/10. The biggest gap is wi-fi — Free Wi-Fi vs Paid Wi-Fi — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.

What are the best seats in American Flagship Business on DFW-MAD?

Best: Row 1 bulkhead seats (1A, 1L) offer the most space and privacy. Solo travelers should pick window seats (A or L). Center pairs (D-G) work well for couples traveling together. Avoid: Row 8 seats are closest to the premium economy cabin and galley. Center seats in row 8 (8D, 8G) may experience more traffic noise. Reverse herringbone layout with direct aisle access from every seat. No privacy doors on this older product. The Super Diamond seat is comfortable but lacks the enclosed-suite feel of newer products. Panasonic eX2 AVOD IFE system.

What are the best seats in American Premium Economy on DFW-MAD?

Best: Row 9 bulkhead offers the most legroom. Window pairs (A-B and H-J) are best for couples. Avoid: Center seats in the 3-abreast middle section are least private. Row 11 may have limited recline near the economy partition. Small premium economy cabin with only 21 seats across 3 rows. Located directly behind business class for quick exit. Separate meal service from economy.

What are the best seats in American Main Cabin on DFW-MAD?

Best: Main Cabin Extra seats (rows 20-22) offer 34-35 inches of pitch. Rows 20-35 are forward of engine noise profile and clear of rear galley. Avoid: Last 3 rows near rear lavatories are noisy and have limited recline. Middle seats in the 3-abreast sections are least desirable on long-haul flights. 9-abreast economy seating on the 787-9 is tight. Window seats benefit from Dreamliner's larger windows and electronic dimming. USB-A ports and AC outlets at every seat.

What are the best seats in Iberia Business Plus on DFW-MAD?

Best: True solo window seats (honeycomb layout) for maximum privacy. Center pairs with electronic divider work well for couples. Avoid: Row 1 can be close to the galley. Check which aircraft has the Recaro CL6720 with doors vs the older Stelia Solstys III without doors. Newer A350-900 deliveries have Recaro CL6720 suites with sliding privacy doors in a staggered 1-2-1 honeycomb layout. Older aircraft have Stelia Solstys III without doors. 18.5-inch Panasonic 4K touchscreens. Center pairs have electronic full-length privacy dividers. 79-inch fully flat bed. Bluetooth audio. Dine-on-demand service with Spanish cuisine.

What are the best seats in Iberia Premium Economy on DFW-MAD?

Best: Window pairs (A-B or J-K) for couples with direct window and aisle access. Avoid: Inner center seats (E, F) in the 2-4-2 have no aisle or window access. 8-abreast seating (vs 9-abreast in economy) means wider seats. 37-inch pitch with leg rest and foot rest. 18 cm of recline. Dedicated cabin with priority boarding. 13.3-inch IFE screens. AC power and USB at every seat.

What are the best seats in Iberia Economy on DFW-MAD?

Best: Exit row seats for extra legroom. Window seats throughout for sleeping. Avoid: Last rows near galley and lavatories. Middle seats (B, E, H) throughout. Standard 3-3-3 economy on A350. 18.1-inch seat width is slightly wider than average. Newer NPS (New Production Standard) aircraft have Panasonic Next IFE with 12-inch 4K screens. AC power between seats. Complimentary meals on long-haul with up to 3 meal services on 9+ hour flights. Blanket and pillow provided.