Iberia, legally incorporated as Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España, S.A. Operadora, Sociedad Unipersonal, is the flag carrier of Spain.[8] Founded in 1927 and based in Madrid, it operates an international network of services from its main base of Madrid–Barajas Airport.[9] Iberia, with Iberia Regional (operated by an independent carrier Air Nostrum) and with Iberia Express, is a part of International Airlines Group. In addition to transporting passengers and freight, Iberia Group carries out related activities, such as aircraft maintenance, handling in airports, IT systems and in-flight catering. Iberia Group airlines fly to over 109 destinations in 39 countries, and a further 90 destinations through code-sharing agreements with other airlines.[9]
On 8 April 2010, it was confirmed that British Airways and Iberia had signed an agreement to merge,[10] making the combined operation the third largest commercial airline in the world by revenue.[11] Shareholders of both carriers approved the deal on 29 November 2010.[12] The newly merged company, known as International Airlines Group (IAG), was established in January 2011, although both airlines continue to operate under their respective brands.[13]
History
Early years
Iberia, Compañía Aérea de Transportes, was incorporated on 28 June 1927 with a capital investment of 1.1 million pesetas by financier Horacio Echevarrieta and Deutsche Luft Hansa. Flight operations commenced on 14 December 1927.[14] The Spanish government contracted the company to provide postal transport between Madrid and Barcelona. During Miguel Primo de Rivera's dictatorship, Spanish aviation companies were amalgamated and became state-controlled as a general interest public utility, starting early 1928. Consequently, Iberia was merged into CLASSA (Compañía de Líneas Aéreas Subvencionadas S.A.), ceasing independent operations on 29 May 1929.[15] Although the airline had neither a fleet nor commercial operations under its brand, the name 'Iberia' remained registered.
In 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, Spanish navy captain and director-general of the company Daniel de Araoz y Aréjula[16]
Corporate affairs
Business trends
The key trends for Iberia are (as of the financial year ending 31 December):[62]
Head office
The company head office is in the MV49 Business Park in Madrid.[81][82][83] This facility is in proximity to the intersection of the Autopista de Circunvalación M-30 and Avenida de América. In 2013, the company moved its head office from the former Campos Velázquez,[81]
Destinations
Joint businesses
Iberia participates in a joint business with Qatar Airways and British Airways which includes the operation of three daily flights between Qatar Airways' Doha hub and Madrid along with up to 10 flights between Doha and London.[106]
Iberia also participates in the Oneworld transatlantic joint venture with American Airlines, British Airways and Finnair.[107]
Codeshare agreements
Fleet
Current fleet
As of December 2025, Iberia operates an all-Airbus fleet composed of the following aircraft:[112]
Fleet development
In August 2015, Iberia parent International Airlines Group converted eight Airbus A350-900 and three Airbus A330-200 options into firm orders for Iberia.[117] In June 2018, the airline took the delivery of its first A350.[118]
In June 2017, Iberia ordered 17 Airbus A320neo and 3 Airbus A321neo aircraft with deliveries from 2018.
Aircraft cabins
All aircraft in the fleet are configured in a two-class layout with Business and Economy cabins. Iberia currently markets three distinct business class variations, depending on flight length. In March 2009, Iberia announced that from 2009 to 2011, it would renovate its economy class on all its planes as well as design a new business class for its long-haul planes.[129] Iberia was one of the last remaining major airlines to equip all of its intercontinental routes with personal entertainment screens. As of 2016, the Airbus A330-200 and −300, and A340-600 fleets are equipped with personal IFE. In-flight catering is provided by Do & Co.
Business Class is available on Spanish domestic and inter-European flights. Seats are the same as in the economy cabin but with the middle (B and E) seats blocked off. Business Class tickets also include improved ground service (priority check-in, security, boarding, baggage handling, and lounge access).[130]
Business Plus is offered on long-haul flights to the Americas and Southern Africa. Business Plus offers lie-flat seating and international business-class amenities.[131]
Accidents and incidents
As of January 2016, a total of 37 aircraft operated by or for Iberia have been written off in accidents and shoot-downs since 1939. Several Iberia aircraft have also been hijacked. These incidents and accidents include the following:[134]
- On 19 April 1928, a Rohrbach Ro VIII Roland I with registration D-1219 made a hard landing near Ventas de Muniesa, 12km north of Muniesa, Teruel which resulted in serious damage to the aircraft and caused injuries to the 11 occupants, one of them severely and later died. According to witnesses, there were foggy conditions in the area and the plane had given several low passes around the place before landing. The aircraft was flying from Barcelona to Madrid.[135][136]
- During 1939, Iberia lost two trimotor Junkers Ju 52s. On 16 March, one crashed due to bad weather in Cabezavellosa on the regular flight from Salamanca to Seville.[137]
See also
- List of airlines of Spain
- List of companies of Spain
- Transport in Spain
Further reading
External links
References
- Listado de Certificados de Operador Aéreo (AOC) de avión y helicóptero. Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA), retrieved 16 July 2019^
- What's New Iberia Club 2025 Iberia, retrieved 9 June 2025^
- Iberia on ch-aviation ch-aviation, retrieved 9 November 2023