transatlantic · 7h 30m · 5,769 km

New York (JFK) to Madrid

3 airlines · 3 aircraft ranked

In business class, Iberia's Business Plus (A350-900) edges out the field with a 6.9/10.In premium economy, Iberia's Premium Economy (A350-900) edges out the field with a 5.2/10.

How we score → Last updated June 2026

Quick pick

Best business class:close call

Fly Iberia. It has a wider seat (21.5" vs 20").

If fares are comparable, this is the better cabin.

Best premium economy:close call

Fly Iberia. It scores higher across seat comfort and amenities.

If fares are comparable, this is the better cabin.

Best economy:close call

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

If prices are similar, go with this one.

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1
Business PlusIberia · Airbus A350-900 · 2018 cabinBest on route
Lie-flat · 1-2-1 · 44" pitch · Paid Wi-FiAvg. reliabilityPoints: Chase UR, Amex MR, Bilt
Full power outlets
6.9
Good
Seat 6.7·Amenity 7.3
2
Delta OneDelta · Airbus A330-300 · 2017 cabin
Lie-flat · 1-2-1 · 80" pitchVery reliablePoints: Amex MR
Free Wi-Fi + Longer bed
6.7
Good
Seat 6.8·Amenity 6.6
3
Flagship BusinessAmerican · Boeing 777-200ER · 2015 cabin
Lie-flat · 1-2-1 · 75" pitch · Paid Wi-FiAvg. reliabilityPoints: Citi TYP
5.9
Average
Seat 5.9·Amenity 6.0

Select two airlines to compare head-to-head

Data verified June 2026

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Airlines on this route

Same corridor, nearby airports

Route insights

  • In business class, Iberia's Business Plus (A350-900) edges out the field with a 6.9/10.
  • In premium economy, Iberia's Premium Economy (A350-900) edges out the field with a 5.2/10.
  • In economy, Delta's Main Cabin (A330-300) edges out the field with a 4.8/10.

Frequently asked

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

Business Plus (Iberia, A350-900) beats Flagship Business (American Airlines, 777-200ER) in business, scoring 6.9/10 vs 5.9. The deciding factor: AC + USB-C vs no power.

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

Premium Economy (Iberia, A350-900) edges out Premium Economy (American Airlines, 777-200ER) in premium economy, scoring 5.2/10 vs 4.5. The deciding factor: AC + USB-C vs no power.

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

Economy (Iberia, A350-900) edges out Economy (American Airlines, 777-200ER) in economy, scoring 4.4/10 vs 3.6. The deciding factor: complimentary meals vs buy on board.

Which is better in business: American or Delta on JFK-MAD?

Delta One (Delta Air Lines, A330-300) edges out Flagship Business (American Airlines, 777-200ER) in business, scoring 6.7/10 vs 5.9. The deciding factor: a 80"-long bed vs 75". American Airlines fights back on seat width.

Which is better in premium economy: American or Delta on JFK-MAD?

Delta Premium Select (Delta Air Lines, A330-300) edges out Premium Economy (American Airlines, 777-200ER) in premium economy, scoring 5/10 vs 4.5. The deciding factor: Free Wi-Fi vs Paid Wi-Fi.

Which is better in economy: American or Delta on JFK-MAD?

Main Cabin (Delta Air Lines, A330-300) beats Economy (American Airlines, 777-200ER) in economy, scoring 4.8/10 vs 3.6. The deciding factor: Free Wi-Fi vs Paid Wi-Fi. American Airlines fights back on entertainment.

Which is better in business: Iberia or Delta on JFK-MAD?

Business Plus (Iberia, A350-900) and Delta One (Delta Air Lines, A330-300) score virtually the same in business: 6.9 vs 6.7/10. The biggest gap is power — AC + USB-C vs no power — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.

Which is better in premium economy: Iberia or Delta on JFK-MAD?

Premium Economy (Iberia, A350-900) and Delta Premium Select (Delta Air Lines, A330-300) score virtually the same in premium economy: 5.2 vs 5/10. The biggest gap is power — AC + USB-C vs no power — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.

Which is better in economy: Iberia or Delta on JFK-MAD?

Main Cabin (Delta Air Lines, A330-300) edges out Economy (Iberia, A350-900) in economy, scoring 4.8/10 vs 4.4. The deciding factor: Free Wi-Fi vs Paid Wi-Fi. Iberia fights back on entertainment and power.

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

Best: True window seats in odd rows for best privacy. Avoid: Even-row window seats face the aisle. Concept D herringbone — direct aisle access but no door. Pre-retrofit; Flagship Suite upgrade scheduled 2027+. 18-inch IFE is larger than 787 variant.

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

Best: Window pairs for 2-across privacy. Avoid: Inner center seats. 2-4-2 layout. 12-inch IFE. Enhanced meals with alcohol.

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

Best: Main Cabin Extra rows for extra pitch. Avoid: Last rows near lavatories. 3-4-3 economy. 10.6-inch IFE. Main Cabin Extra available for additional legroom.

What are the best seats in Iberia Business Plus on JFK-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 JFK-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 JFK-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.

What are the best seats in Delta Delta One on JFK-MAD?

Best: Window seats in odd rows for the most privacy with herringbone stagger. Avoid: Even-row window seats are closer to the aisle. Footwell can be tight on taller passengers. Reverse herringbone 1-2-1 without doors. Safran Cirrus III (not Thompson Vantage suites — those are on the A330-900neo). 15.4-inch IFE. Free Viasat wifi. Someone Somewhere amenity kit. Delta retrofit to Thompson Vantage XL suites with doors expected ~2027.

What are the best seats in Delta Delta Premium Select on JFK-MAD?

Best: Window pairs for only 2 across. Avoid: Center section middle seat. 2-3-2 premium economy. 13.3-inch IFE. Free wifi. NC headphones provided.

What are the best seats in Delta Main Cabin on JFK-MAD?

Best: The 2-4-2 layout means no middle seat in window pairs — better than 3-3-3. Avoid: Inner seats in the center 4-section. 2-4-2 economy (wider than typical 3-3-3). 9-inch IFE. Free wifi.