transatlantic · 8h 10m · 6,749 km

Chicago to Madrid

2 airlines · 2 aircraft ranked

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

How we score → Last updated June 2026

Quick pick

Best business class:strong pick

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

If fares are comparable, this is the better cabin.

Best premium economy:strong pick

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

If fares are comparable, this is the better cabin.

Best economy:strong pick

Fly Iberia. It has a bigger screen (12" vs 9").

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
Flagship BusinessAmerican · Boeing 787-8 · 2014 cabin
Lie-flat · 1-2-1 · 77" pitch · Paid Wi-FiAvg. reliabilityPoints: Citi TYP
6.3
Good
Seat 6.5·Amenity 6.0

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, Iberia's Business Plus (A350-900) leads the field with a 6.9/10.
  • In premium economy, Iberia's Premium Economy (A350-900) leads the field with a 5.2/10.
  • In economy, Iberia's Economy (A350-900) leads the field with a 4.4/10.

Frequently asked

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

Business Plus (Iberia, A350-900) edges out Flagship Business (American Airlines, 787-8) in business, scoring 6.9/10 vs 6.3. The deciding factor: AC + USB-C vs no power.

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

Premium Economy (Iberia, A350-900) edges out Premium Economy (American Airlines, 787-8) in premium economy, scoring 5.2/10 vs 4.4. The deciding factor: AC + USB-C vs no power.

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

Economy (Iberia, A350-900) edges out Main Cabin (American Airlines, 787-8) in economy, scoring 4.4/10 vs 3.8. The deciding factor: USB-C only vs no power.

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

Best: Forward-facing window seats for privacy. Avoid: Rear-facing seats feel narrower due to fixed armrests. Adjacent seats share a structural base — movement transfers. Safran Concept D in alternating forward/rear-facing 1-2-1. AA's weakest widebody business product. B&O headphones. Casper duvet (no mattress pad). Panasonic satellite wifi (paid, slow). Pre-orderable meals.

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