european · 2h 25m · 1,261 km

London to Madrid

2 airlines · 2 aircraft ranked

In business class, Iberia's Business Club (A320neo) edges out the field with a 2.0/10.In economy, British Airways's Euro Traveller (A320neo) edges out the field with a 3.0/10.

How we score → Last updated June 2026

Quick pick

Best business class: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 British Airways. It scores higher across seat comfort and amenities.

If prices are similar, go with this one.

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1
Business ClubIberia · Airbus A320neo · 2022 cabinBest on route
recliner · 2-2 · 30" pitch · Paid Wi-FiAvg. reliabilityPoints: Chase UR, Amex MR, Bilt
Full power outlets + Better IFE
2.0
Below average
Seat 1.0·Amenity 3.6
2
Club EuropeBritish Airways · Airbus A320neo · 2023 cabin
recliner · 2-2 · 30" pitch · No screen · Paid Wi-FiAvg. reliabilityPoints: Chase UR, Amex MR, Capital One, Bilt
1.8
Below average
Seat 1.0·Amenity 2.9

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Data verified June 2026

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  • No seatback screens on this route. Download movies to a tablet before your flight.

Route insights

  • In business class, Iberia's Business Club (A320neo) edges out the field with a 2.0/10.
  • In economy, British Airways's Euro Traveller (A320neo) edges out the field with a 3.0/10.

Frequently asked

Which is better in business: British Airways or Iberia on LHR-MAD?

Club Europe (British Airways, A320neo) and Business Club (Iberia, A320neo) score virtually the same in business: 1.8 vs 2/10. The biggest gap is power — AC outlet vs USB-A only — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.

Which is better in economy: British Airways or Iberia on LHR-MAD?

Euro Traveller (British Airways, A320neo) and Turista (Iberia, A320neo) score virtually the same in economy: 3 vs 2.8/10. The biggest gap is legroom — 30" of pitch vs 29" — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.

What are the best seats in British Airways Euro Traveller on LHR-MAD?

Best: Row 12 has 35 inches of pitch, the most generous in the cabin. Rows 2-10 have 30-inch pitch with Collins Pinnacle seats that have more padding and 3 inches of recline. Row 11 has 34-inch pitch. If Club Europe is not full, rows 4-6 in Euro Traveller may use the better Pinnacle seats. Avoid: Rows 13-30 have Recaro SL3510 slimline seats with only 28-29 inches of pitch, no recline, no AC power, and no headrest. Last two rows (29-30) have limited space and are close to both toilets and galley noise. The A320neo has two distinctly different seat types. Rows 1-12 use the more comfortable Collins Pinnacle seats with more padding, headrests, AC power, and 30-inch pitch. Rows 13-30 use slimline Recaro seats with 28-29 inches of pitch, no recline, and only USB-C power. There are no seatback IFE screens; BA offers streaming via the BA app on personal devices. WiFi is available for purchase. The Club Europe / Euro Traveller cabin split is flexible: typically the first 4-8 rows are Club Europe, with the movable divider adjusted per flight based on demand. Total capacity is 180 seats in a single 3-3 layout. Exit row seats on the A320/A321 family offer extra legroom but do not recline. The row immediately before the exit also has limited recline due to clearance requirements.

What are the best seats in Iberia Business Club on LHR-MAD?

Best: Window seats (A/F) — fixed 6-row cabin means guaranteed quiet zone. Avoid: Row 6 nearest the curtain divider. Fixed 6-row business cabin (not flex). 30-inch pitch with blocked middle. AC power + USB-A. Starlink free WiFi rolling out 2026. Spanish catering.

What are the best seats in Iberia Turista on LHR-MAD?

Best: Exit row seats. Forward economy rows closest to business. Avoid: Last rows near lavatory. 162 economy seats in 3-3. 29-inch pitch. USB-A power shared (2 outlets per 3 seats). Paid WiFi (Starlink free rolling out 2026).