We had paid in advance for our two seats in advance to be better ones, and on checking in in Madrid, we were told that as the plane had changed, we could no longer have those seats, and that the new ones were standard, and not better seats. We asked if they could be changed and were told this was not possible and that we should claim the cost of the seats reservations from Iberia. We have submitted claims but not yet heard from Iberia. Furthermore the flight was due to leave at 1.15pm but we kept on being told it was delayed, but not given a reason nor a likely new flight time. A new time was posted about two or three times but when one of us asked if this was the new flight time we were told that it was a time when a new update would be given. In the end boarding started at 17.00 and the flight took off at about 17.30pm, ie more than 4 hours late. When we claimed compensation for the delay we were refused compensation, and told that the delay was due to 'external circumstances'. We could see the plane on the runway and it was clear that the plane was being examined at various points by technicians, which strongly suggests that the delay was Iberia's fault. There was no mention of air traffic control issues nor weather problems.