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BA 7054 fare class K vs IB079 fare class S - same fare, what’s the difference

Posted by (Massachusetts ) on

These are 1st legs of return flight from Madrid to USA. Outbound are both on BA. Return is Iberia operated to LHR T5, either with BA flight number and fare class K or IB flight number with fare class S. The fare is exactly the same. Should I prefer one over another?

Also if I have a choice of flying MAD-JFK, 90 min to clear immigration and take transfer flight on AA eagle/Republic airline vs flying Iberia operated to LHR with 75 min layover in LHR T5 with LHR-BOS after that, which should I take - fares are same. Transatlantic flights are on premium economy

TIA

Posted by
16403 posts

First, it's not IB079 it's IB719.

If all the flights are on BA then book this one BA unless you are trying to get Iberia air miles. Iberia operates the flight with a BA codeshare. But technically, it doesn't really matter.

At LHR, you won't have to go through immigration but you will have to go through security. It's still a tight transfer.

At JFK, you will have to clear immigration and customs. . You will than have to go through TSA security.

If you miss either connection, and it's all on one ticket, they will put you on the next available flight for no extra charge.

Do you have Global Entry or plan to use Mobile Passport Control? Or at least TSA PreCheck? If you have these, then 90 minutes is doable but at least you have the backup of being on one ticket. If you have none of these, I wouldn't chance a 90 transfer at JFK. It's at Terminal 8. I fly in and out internationally often. The lines can be super long at immigration. With GE or MPC it shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

Posted by
7204 posts

I can only tell you of my recent experience. In October our flight from LHR to Madrid was on Iberia and the seats were so close together that my knees were hitting the seat in front when the seats were in the upright position. I only mention the legroom so you’re aware there may not be as much on the Iberia flight as there might be on a BA aircraft.

On the return to LHR from Madrid we were on a BA aircraft. It had more legroom. We had a 3 hour layover at LHR. The flight departed Madrid an hour late. It takes about an hour upon arrival (T5 - T5) to get off the plane, follow the purple line to connecting flights, and go through security. After clearing security our gate had already posted and we went straight to it.

I’d be concerned your connection time in London is too short.

We only had carryon bags.

Posted by
5466 posts

75 minutes is bang on the minimum time for a T5-T5 connection @ Heathrow. Although the airline(s) will be financially responsible to sort things out if you do misconnect you will probably still be inconvenienced.

Posted by
1232 posts

The OP doesn't have a choice of BA or Iberia. It is one plane flown by Iberia - the BA flight number indicates that it's a codeshare flight.

Posted by
9 posts

Thanks everyone who replied. I’m certainly better informed.

I’m 6’2” so that tight leg room will certainly be a problem.

No, I don’t have either GE, TSA pre check and I have not in the past used mobile entry. I did download the app. I’ll have to look info it as to what one has to do to get set-up.

Initially I was leaning to take the Iberia operated flight to LHR T5, transferring there and doing transatlantic on BA so we can be home - once we are back in the US. Immigration & customs here in Boston are generally a breeze. Now I’m rethinking that.

I’ll check out the links…I do read / view TPG and similar sites (including Reddit) for reviews of airline classes and comparatives. From what I had seen, there was nothing conclusive.

Thanks again everyone

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