It was time to try another widebody around Europe. When IB announced they were using the A350 to LHR I knew I had to try. With some Avios to burn the booking was confirmed for a quick LHR-MAD-LHR run in J on their new A350-900. A couple of weeks had passed when upon checking my booking the aircraft type had changed to A346 !! This was very dissapointing news although a flight on the ever increasingly rare A340-600 was not end of the world stuff ! So it was - IB A340-600 in IB Business which actually is pretty much the same as their new A350.

The afternoon started in LHR BA T5B Galleries for a welcome shower, light snacks & couple of beers before the flight :
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The best shot I could get on stand :
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Once onboard, first cabin impressions where good. 1-2-1 layout :
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Tray table folded down from side :
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Seat controls :
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And relax :
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Taxiing out. Nice evening for flying :
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Leaving LHR :
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Standard J headphones given out and time for some entertainment.
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Cruising :
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Dinner was served. A lovely steak with roasted vegetables, red rioja,beer and coffee to finish. It was superb !
Untitled by The OBC Man, on Flickr

Relaxing after dinner :
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Approaching MAD :
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Landed MAD on time. Cabin pictures upon leaving :
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Into the stunning building that is MAD T4 :
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Untitled by The OBC Man, on Flickr

Untitled by The OBC Man, on Flickr

Untitled by The OBC Man, on Flickr

Untitled by The OBC Man, on Flickr

Although it wasn't the A350 as hoped this was still a very nice flight with IB. The seat is very good - with all aisle access. Food/drink was lovely. Crew, whilst doing their job very well were not the most friendly or welcoming but did nothing wrong ! Could easily do a S America in this cabin.

Looking at the following for next WB trips :
Hainan 787 EDI-DUB.
Air Europa 787 AMS-MAD.

Cheers All !

Awesome report! There's something about the A346. Such a beautiful plane! I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities to fly the 350 in the future!

Very nice! I love the novelty of snagging a longhaul configured aircraft on shorthaul routes such as this. With LHR-MAD having 346/777/789 lately it's increasingly easy to do as well. A friend of mine leaps on these flights every couple of months or so.

Nice TR, I was tempted to book the same flight - but having experienced ALWAYS last minute fleet changes on IB, I decided no to go!

Looking fwd to the Hainan TR - I was booked on Hainan as well, but just received an email, that Hainan will discontinue the service... So maybe you are the lucky one on one or even the last flight!

Speedalive wrote:

Awesome report! There's something about the A346. Such a beautiful plane! I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities to fly the 350 in the future!

Yes agreed - the A346 is a beauty ! The IB 350 is coming back onto LHR regular next year. Cheers.

fbgdavidson wrote:

Very nice! I love the novelty of snagging a longhaul configured aircraft on shorthaul routes such as this. With LHR-MAD having 346/777/789 lately it's increasingly easy to do as well. A friend of mine leaps on these flights every couple of months or so.

Yep me too. I have previously taken the BA B772 & B789 both in J to MAD before. There are plenty of WB's around Europe to try ! A great way to try long haul product without breaking the bank. Cheers

debonair wrote:

Nice TR, I was tempted to book the same flight - but having experienced ALWAYS last minute fleet changes on IB, I decided no to go!

Looking fwd to the Hainan TR - I was booked on Hainan as well, but just received an email, that Hainan will discontinue the service... So maybe you are the lucky one on one or even the last flight!

I think you still should as getting the A346 or A330 is still a very pleseant couple of hours. The IB A350 will be regular next year - try again that time ?!

Didn't know (But not surprised at all) about Hainan finishing this route - will have to go quick !! Cheers