Iberia opens new Sorolla Emerald Lounge for BA Gold

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 the past couple of months, is now available to all eligible oneworld Emerald tier travellers, including British Airways Gold card holders.

Iberia joins airlines like Finnair and Malaysia Airlines in offering a first-class lounge despite not operating first-class cabins on its aircraft. This is a feature of the oneworld alliance, which requires top-tier Emerald members to have access to such facilities. The lounge is named after the celebrated Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla.

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

Lounge Design and Capacity

The Sorolla Emerald Lounge occupies 800 square metres beneath the iconic undulating roof of the Richard Rogers-designed terminal. It has a capacity for 128 guests. The space uses half-height undulating wooden walls to create distinct areas while maintaining an open feel.

Seating is varied to cater to different needs. Along the windows overlooking the concourse is a row of private booths, inspired by business class suites, designed for solo travellers seeking privacy and noise insulation. Each booth has individual lighting, 240v European sockets, and USB-A and USB-C ports.

In the centre of the lounge, seating groups designed by award-winning designer Patricia Urquiola offer a more open experience for pairs or groups. The colour scheme features cream and Iberia burgundy, with armchairs gathered around two-metre tall standing lamps. Charging sockets are embedded in the floors throughout.

Food, Drink, and Amenities

A central feature is a 360-degree bar where staff serve coffee, pour Gosset Grande Reserve champagne, and 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. Catering is provided by DO&CO, the luxury company behind Iberia's onboard meals. The all-day tapas menu includes items like padron peppers and gambas al ajillo. A dessert selection includes 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, each with a single bed, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Customer Feedback and Future Plans

According to Iberia's Chief Customer Officer Beatriz Guillen, initial customer feedback from the soft opening has been exceptional. She stated, "We have the top, top, top qualifications compared to every other lounge. The service has a 9.9 out of 10." She noted that some customers visited six to eight times during August alone.

Discussions are underway with airport operator Aena about expanding the concept. Guillen confirmed ambitions to open a similar lounge in the long-haul T4 Satellite terminal, but noted it is "a matter of space." Aena is investing in a multi-year airport expansion project. In the interim, Iberia is exploring creative options, such as a pop-up "Emerald Social Club" in the existing Velasquez lounge space in the satellite terminal.

Regarding other locations, Guillen described Iberia's lounge in Buenos Aires as "quite dated now." While the airline is considering investments outside Madrid, she emphasized that "our focus is Madrid."