Madrid, 27 March - Iberia, the Spanish flag carrier, has unveiled an ambitious expansion of its long-haul network, set to commence in late 2025, with the introduction of new routes to Orlando, Florida, and two destinations in Brazil—Recife and Fortaleza. This move underscores the airline’s strategic focus on enhancing connectivity between Spain and key markets in the Americas, leveraging its modern fleet to cater to both leisure and business travelers. The new services, announced as part of Iberia’s winter 2025-2026 schedule, will utilize the Airbus A330 for the Orlando route and the innovative Airbus A321XLR for the Brazilian destinations, showcasing a blend of capacity and efficiency tailored to demand.
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The Madrid-to-Orlando route is slated to launch on October 26, 2025, pending necessary governmental approvals. Operating four times weekly—on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays—the flights will be serviced by Iberia’s Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which boast a seating capacity of 254 passengers across business and economy classes. Departing from Madrid-Barajas Airport at 11:30 AM, flights will arrive at Orlando International Airport by 4:45 PM local time, offering a convenient daytime crossing of the Atlantic. The return leg departs Orlando at 6:20 PM, landing in Madrid at 7:55 AM the following day. This seasonal service targets the robust demand for travel to Orlando, a city renowned for its proximity to major attractions like Walt Disney World Resort, making it a prime destination for families and tourists, especially during the winter season. By deploying the A330, Iberia ensures ample capacity to accommodate this traffic while maintaining the comfort standards associated with its widebody fleet.
Simultaneously, Iberia is doubling down on its presence in Brazil, a market it has served for years through established routes to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The airline will introduce flights to Recife and Fortaleza, two vibrant cities in Brazil’s northeast, known for their stunning beaches, rich culture, and growing tourism appeal. The Recife route will commence on December 13, 2025, with three weekly flights, increasing to five in February 2026, while Fortaleza flights will begin on January 19, 2026, with three weekly services, rising to four in February. Both routes will be operated by the Airbus A321XLR, a narrowbody aircraft designed for long-haul efficiency, featuring 182 seats in a two-class configuration—business and economy. The A321XLR’s extended range of up to 7,500 kilometers allows Iberia to connect Madrid to these Brazilian cities nonstop, a feat previously unfeasible with traditional single-aisle jets. This aircraft, which Iberia began integrating into its fleet in November 2024, offers over 40% better fuel efficiency compared to widebody alternatives, enabling the airline to profitably serve routes with moderate demand.
The expansion reflects Iberia’s broader strategy to optimize its network using the A321XLR’s capabilities, freeing up larger aircraft like the A330 and A350 for high-capacity routes while exploring new markets. During the 2025-2026 winter season, Iberia will offer nearly 284,000 seats between Spain and Brazil across its four destinations, reinforcing its commitment to the region. The Orlando service, meanwhile, adds a tenth U.S. destination to Iberia’s portfolio, enhancing transatlantic options for travelers. With these additions, Iberia positions itself as a key player in connecting Europe to the Americas, balancing operational efficiency with passenger comfort and market growth.