Iberia opens new Sorolla Emerald Lounge in Madrid Terminal 4

Iberia has officially opened its new Sorolla Emerald Lounge in Madrid's Barajas Airport Terminal 4. The lounge, which had been in a soft-opening phase for invited guests over the past two months, welcomed all eligible customers for the first time on Wednesday.

Iberia now joins airlines like Finnair and Malaysia Airlines in offering a first-class lounge despite not operating a first-class cabin on its aircraft. This move is driven by oneworld alliance rules, which grant first-class lounge access to its top-tier Emerald members, equivalent to British Airways Gold.

The lounge is located post-security in the main terminal building. It is primarily designed for Schengen-area passengers but remains accessible to travelers departing from the non-Schengen satellite terminal, T4S, who must account for the airtrain journey to their gate.

Lounge Design and Capacity

Named after Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla, the lounge occupies 800 square metres beneath the iconic undulating roof of the Richard Rogers-designed terminal. It can accommodate 128 guests, a capacity Iberia reportedly wishes was larger. Airport operator Aena is extending the airport to support Iberia's expansion plans for 2030.

Half-height undulating wooden walls divide the space, creating privacy while allowing an overview from the entrance. The primary colour scheme uses cream and Iberia burgundy. Seating in the central area features furniture by award-winning designer Patricia Urquiola, with armchairs grouped around two-metre tall standing lamps. Charging sockets are embedded in the floors.

Along the windows overlooking the concourse is a row of private booths inspired by business class suites. These booths are designed for solo business travelers and include individual lamps, 240v European two-pin sockets, and USB-A and USB-C ports.

Food, Drink, and Amenities

A 360-degree bar serves as a centrepiece, where bartenders can prepare coffee, pour Gosset Grande Reserve champagne, or mix cocktails. The introduction of champagne marks a shift from Iberia's historical offering of only cava, which remains available.

The adjacent dining area features restaurant-style tables with integrated charging and a buffet along one wall. Catering is provided by DO&CO, the luxury company that supplies Iberia's onboard meals. The menu progresses from breakfast to an all-day tapas selection, including dishes like padron peppers and gambas al ajillo. A wide range of desserts is available, including churros and two chocolate fountains.

Toilet and shower facilities are finished with cream tiles and stainless steel basins. Private showers are stocked with Cereria Molla toiletries. The lounge also offers two sleep suites on a first-come, first-served basis, each containing a single bed.

Customer Feedback and Future Plans

According to the source, customer feedback during the soft opening has been extremely positive, including on forums like FlyerTalk. Iberia's Chief Customer Officer, Beatriz Guillen, stated that initial customer ratings for the lounge were exceptionally high.

She told Head for Points, "We have the top, top, top qualifications compared to every other lounge. The service has a 9.9 out of 10." Guillen also noted that some customers had visited the lounge six to eight times during its soft launch in August.

When asked about expanding the concept to the long-haul T4S satellite terminal, Guillen indicated a desire to do so but cited space constraints. She confirmed that Aena is investing in a major airport expansion over the next five to six years and that Iberia is working with them to secure additional space.

For the interim, Iberia is considering creative solutions for the existing Velasquez lounge space in T4S, potentially creating an "Emerald Social Club" there much sooner. Regarding lounges outside Madrid, Guillen described the airline's facility in Buenos Aires as "quite dated now" and said the carrier is evaluating where to invest internationally while keeping its focus on its Madrid hub.