Iberia unveiled a swanky new Airbus A350 cabin that features a private business class — see inside

Taylor RainsJan 1, 2023, 18:19 IST

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin.Iberia

Iberia has unveiled its all-new Airbus A350-900 cabin that features business class with doors.
The plane is Airbus' new "Production Standard" jet that can fit up to 10 seats per row in economy.

Spanish flag carrier Iberia is sprucing up its A350-900 cabin.

Iberia A350-900.Iberia

In September, the airline received the first new "Production Standard" Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which is the planemaker's enhanced version of its flagship jet.

An Iberia A350.Iberia

Specifically, the aircraft boasts better performance, including 25% less fuel burn and a 50% lower noise footprint compared to previous models…

Specs of the enhancements on the A350.Airbus

…as well as an improved cabin, allowing 10 seats per row in economy rather than nine — which was the previous standard.

Airbus' 10-abreast seat layout. Carriers like French bee do squeeze 10 seats per row into the previous production standard jets.Airbus

The design will help Airbus better compete with Boeing's 777 and future 777X aircraft. Both are designed for 10-abreast seats, with carriers like Air New Zealand taking advantage of the option.

Air New Zealand 777-300ER economy cabin.Phillip Capper

The design will help Airbus better compete with Boeing's 777 and future 777X aircraft. Both are designed for 10-abreast seats, with carriers like Air New Zealand taking advantage of the option.

Iberia's jet is the manufacturer's 500th A350 delivered, joining the airline's 16-strong fleet, and it comes with upgraded business and economy cabins.

Iberia was the recipient of Airbus' 500th A350 delivered. It opted for nine seats abreast instead of 10.Herve Gousse/Airbus

Iberia's "Next" program focuses on improving comfort, space, and privacy for its customers, as well as introducing a new lighting system and enhanced inflight entertainment.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — business class.Iberia

Iberia's "Next" program focuses on improving comfort, space, and privacy for its customers, as well as introducing a new lighting system and enhanced inflight entertainment.

Business class is the biggest luxury onboard the airline's A350, with each seat featuring an "independent door and a closed armchair structure" to create more personal space for travelers.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — business class.Iberia

Business class is the biggest luxury onboard the airline's A350, with each seat featuring an "independent door and a closed armchair structure" to create more personal space for travelers.

Meanwhile, the "honeymoon" seats in the middle have a divider to optimize privacy.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin.Iberia

Every seat offers direct-aisle access, according to the carrier, and comes complete with leather headrests, wood finishing, and a lay-flat bed that is centimeters (two inches) longer than its predecessor.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — business class.Iberia

Every seat offers direct-aisle access, according to the carrier, and comes complete with leather headrests, wood finishing, and a lay-flat bed that is centimeters (two inches) longer than its predecessor.

Moreover, each seat number is illuminated in the dark to make it easier for passengers to locate their lounger...

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — business class.Iberia

...and there is plenty of storage and power ports.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — business class.Iberia

In addition to business, Iberia has enhanced both of its economy products — Premium Tourist and Tourist.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — Premium Tourist (front) and Tourist (back).Iberia

The new Premium Tourist comes with added privacy created by an "envelope structure" of the armchair.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — Premium Tourist.Iberia

Also featured at the seat are an adjustable headrests and power ports...

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — Premium Tourist.Iberia

...as well as a remote for inflight entertainment, a touch navigation panel, and storage space.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — Premium Tourist.Iberia

The airline's most basic product on its A350 is Tourist, which is regular economy with 18-inch wide and 31-inch pitch seats.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — Tourist.Iberia

However, because the new A350 design widens the cabin, the nine-abreast seats offer one extra centimeter of width (0.4 inches), increasing passenger space.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin.Iberia

If Iberia chose to fit its A350s with the 10-abreast configuration, they would offer the industry-standard 17-inch wide seats — reducing space. Fortunately for customers, it did not.

Paris-based French bee configures its planes with 10 abreast seats on its A350, with the width being 16 inches.Taylor Rains/Insider

If Iberia chose to fit its A350s with the 10-abreast configuration, they would offer the industry-standard 17-inch wide seats — reducing space. Fortunately for customers, it did not.

Tourist seats also feature adjustable headrests and power ports…

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — Tourist.Iberia

…as well as a unique stand to hold smartphones or tablets.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — Tourist.Iberia

A similar feature is seen on airlines like US low-cost carrier Breeze Airways.

The phone stand on Breeze's A220 in economy.Taylor Rains/Insider

Throughout Iberia's improved cabin is next-generation onboard entertainment, which features larger screens, a "more modern, interactive, and intuitive design," and 4K displays…

The system also has "night lighting to avoid disturbing other nearby customers."Iberia

Throughout Iberia's improved cabin is next-generation onboard entertainment, which features larger screens, a "more modern, interactive, and intuitive design," and 4K displays…

…as well as Bluetooth capabilities, meaning passengers across all cabins will now be able to connect their wireless headphones to the inflight TV system.

Wired headphones will be usable for those that don't have a wireless pair.Iberia

In business and premium economy, there is also a second screen that will allow passengers to communicate with the crew without disrupting their program.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — Premium Tourist.Iberia

Moreover, the ambient lighting in all classes is tailored to six phases of the journey, including boarding, takeoff and landing, meals, relaxation, sleep, and wake-up.

Inside Iberia's new A350-900 cabin — business class.Iberia

Currently, Iberia flies its A350 aircraft on routes between Madrid and over a dozen destinations like Bogota, Colombia; Tel Aviv, Israel; Prague, Czech Republic; and New York City, according to Cirium data.

An Iberia A350.Airbus

Currently, Iberia flies its A350 aircraft on routes between Madrid and over a dozen destinations like Bogota, Colombia; Tel Aviv, Israel; Prague, Czech Republic; and New York City, according to Cirium data.

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Iberia unveiled a swanky new Airbus A350 cabin that features a private business class &mdash; see inside

Spanish flag carrier Iberia is sprucing up its A350-900 cabin.

In September, the airline received the first new "Production Standard" Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which is the planemaker's enhanced version of its flagship jet.

Specifically, the aircraft boasts better performance, including 25% less fuel burn and a 50% lower noise footprint compared to previous models…

…as well as an improved cabin, allowing 10 seats per row in economy rather than nine — which was the previous standard.

The design will help Airbus better compete with Boeing's 777 and future 777X aircraft. Both are designed for 10-abreast seats, with carriers like Air New Zealand taking advantage of the option.

Iberia's jet is the manufacturer's 500th A350 delivered, joining the airline's 16-strong fleet, and it comes with upgraded business and economy cabins.

Iberia's "Next" program focuses on improving comfort, space, and privacy for its customers, as well as introducing a new lighting system and enhanced inflight entertainment.

Business class is the biggest luxury onboard the airline's A350, with each seat featuring an "independent door and a closed armchair structure" to create more personal space for travelers.

Meanwhile, the "honeymoon" seats in the middle have a divider to optimize privacy.

Every seat offers direct-aisle access, according to the carrier, and comes complete with leather headrests, wood finishing, and a lay-flat bed that is centimeters (two inches) longer than its predecessor.

Moreover, each seat number is illuminated in the dark to make it easier for passengers to locate their lounger...

...and there is plenty of storage and power ports.

In addition to business, Iberia has enhanced both of its economy products — Premium Tourist and Tourist.

The new Premium Tourist comes with added privacy created by an "envelope structure" of the armchair.

Also featured at the seat are an adjustable headrests and power ports...

...as well as a remote for inflight entertainment, a touch navigation panel, and storage space.

The airline's most basic product on its A350 is Tourist, which is regular economy with 18-inch wide and 31-inch pitch seats.

However, because the new A350 design widens the cabin, the nine-abreast seats offer one extra centimeter of width (0.4 inches), increasing passenger space.

If Iberia chose to fit its A350s with the 10-abreast configuration, they would offer the industry-standard 17-inch wide seats — reducing space. Fortunately for customers, it did not.

Tourist seats also feature adjustable headrests and power ports…

…as well as a unique stand to hold smartphones or tablets.

A similar feature is seen on airlines like US low-cost carrier Breeze Airways.

Throughout Iberia's improved cabin is next-generation onboard entertainment, which features larger screens, a "more modern, interactive, and intuitive design," and 4K displays…

…as well as Bluetooth capabilities, meaning passengers across all cabins will now be able to connect their wireless headphones to the inflight TV system.

In business and premium economy, there is also a second screen that will allow passengers to communicate with the crew without disrupting their program.

Moreover, the ambient lighting in all classes is tailored to six phases of the journey, including boarding, takeoff and landing, meals, relaxation, sleep, and wake-up.

Currently, Iberia flies its A350 aircraft on routes between Madrid and over a dozen destinations like Bogota, Colombia; Tel Aviv, Israel; Prague, Czech Republic; and New York City, according to Cirium data.

Iberia unveiled a swanky new Airbus A350 cabin that features a private business class — see inside