About a year ago, I went to Tangier and had a 24 hour layover in Madrid. This means, I got a hotel and wandered the city for a night. Upon having dinner and walking around, I remembered what my favorite city in the world felt like. Currently, I’m in love with Barcelona. Staying in Madrid took me back to those memories. I’ve been aching to come back since.
My Madrid cravings got worse as the year crept along. So here’s what I did.
I set out to find a flight to Madrid. My only requirement: Find the cheapest flight on American Airlines. This way, I’ll get miles towards another free ticket.
I searched each month. Then I got to shoulder season and found the greatest $600 USD round trip ticket. It’s direct from LAX to MAD.
I made note of the dates and waited a couple of days until I saw my supervisor. I didn’t buy them in case my vacation was denied.
Unfortunately, waiting a couple of days was the wrong thing to do. The fares went up by $100. That’s not too much but I was disappointed. I bought the tickets that day in case they go up some more.
Tip: Always look for air fare during off-peak season. Its WAY cheaper.
Flight Review: LAX to MAD Iberia Airlines in coach on an A330
Six months later, I’m on that flight, headed to Madrid, direct from Los Angeles International. I AM EXCITED!
I’m sure I haven’t mentioned this before but I took a year off after the Private Investigation job to travel. I traveled non-stop and made the best of it. Having a full-time job again is a culture shock. What do you mean I have to go to work everyday? You mean I can’t take off when I want? It goes against everything I stand for.
I’ve always done as I pleased. Incorrigible and uncontrollable are two words synonyms with my name. It’s the reason control freaks and I don’t get along. Well, there’s also the oppositional defiance in me. If you tell me to do something I’ll always do the opposite to spite you. Although usually it’s only if I don’t respect you. I’m not just an asshole to be an asshole, that’s not okay in my book and I despise those people. I’m an asshole if you deserve it.
But until my freelancing can get back on its feet, I’m subject to captivity until then. Bring it world. I’m coming for you.
The flight
I’m surprised the flight is full. Every seat is taken. I got a window seat and since I travel often I boarded first due to my One World status.
The plane is big. It’s one of those planes that has two seats on the left and right, separated by aisles and four seats in the middle.
It’s a little cramped but I’m not complaining. The fare was cheap. Although, I have to say I wish I had an empty seat next to me.
I have wide shoulders and the shoulder space was not enough. The knee and leg room was decent. Although, not decent enough for a 12 hour flight.
The seats recline a lot though, which is a double edge sword. On one hand you can recline and relax properly. Considering you only have a few inches from the guy behind you, if you recline all the way you’ll be two inches away from their face. I didn’t care, Air Berlin was like this when I flew them. But I heard many passengers complaining and yelling at the people sitting in front of them to not recline. I don’t understand bad plane etiquette. Must be people who don’t travel often. We’re all cramped in here. We’re all in this together. Stop complaining.
The Service
The fed us about an hour into the flight. I wasn’t hungry yet but I wasn’t turning food away. We had the option of pasta or meat balls. I usually go for the pasta but I got the meat balls this time. It came with a black bean, corn salad and a dinner roll. Dessert took the form of a chocolate brownie. I drank a Coke and coffee. Although, it was a small portion I managed to get full.
The entertainment system had TONS of great movies to choose from. I’m happy to tell people I finally saw Avengers: Infinity War. It blew me away. I can’t believe it… And why the cliff hanger?? I’m not okay with what happened to Gomora! I’m secretly hoping it was all a dream and when they make the sequel everyone is still alive.
Then I saw Life of the Party with Melissa McCarthy. It’s cute. Not as funny as some of her other ones but still good.
I took a Benadryl during this movie which usually knocks me out. It’s an allergy pill but acts like a sleeping pill. I get two in one with Benadryl.
While sleeping I somehow managed to stick my legs under the left arm rest, which means my legs were hanging over the side (between the wall of the plane and the seat) and slept on my side. I woke up to a sore bum and numb left leg. However, almost right after waking up they began breakfast service.
They brought out the cutest box. It had a croissant sandwich, a muffin, a tiny Twix chocolate bar and a pack of gummy fruit candies. It was all I needed.
I ate it quickly and we landed within an hour.
It was a quick flight, relatively…
Now I had to find my way to the hotel where my partner is… We’ll call him Claude for now.
Let Me Break It Down For You:
Iberia Airlines direct from LAX (LA international) to MAD (Madrid-Barajas) in coach was $700 round trip.
Great service. Fun movies. Cramped seating.
Dinner was pasta or meat balls. No choice for breakfast, everyone got the croissant sandwich.
12 hours direct.
Not a bad flight over all.