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Iberia (IB) Guide

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Flights from Madrid across Spain, Europe and Latin America, fleet and cabins, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper Iberia fares. Ask a question
In short

Iberia is the flag carrier of Spain, based at Madrid–Barajas and owned by IAG. It flies to about 130 destinations in Spain, Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa and Asia, with a particularly large network to Latin America. Iberia is a oneworld member and runs Iberia Club. Cabins are Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

Iberia is Spain’s flag carrier and, with British Airways, part of International Airlines Group (IAG).

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Iberia. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Iberia (IATA IB) is the flag carrier of Spain, flying from its hub at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Spanish cities, Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa and Asia. It suits travellers heading between Europe and Latin America, where Madrid is one of the main gateways, and anyone who collects Avios.

The 1927 founding and the first Europe to South America route

Iberia was incorporated on 28 June 1927 and flew its first service on 14 December that year. In 1946 it opened the first route between Europe and South America after the Second World War, from Madrid to Buenos Aires, and Latin America has been central to the airline ever since. In 1987 it was one of the founders of the Amadeus booking system, which travel agents around the world still use. The Spanish state sold the company in 2001.

In the 1990s Iberia bought stakes in Aerolineas Argentinas, Venezuela's Viasa and Chile's Ladeco. Viasa closed and Ladeco was sold in 1997, and Argentina renationalised Aerolineas Argentinas in 2008. In January 2011 Iberia merged with British Airways to form International Airlines Group (IAG). Both airlines kept their own names. The head office moved to Ciudad Lineal in Madrid in 2013.

Madrid hub and network

Madrid-Barajas (MAD) is the hub. Group airlines serve between about 109 and 130 destinations in around 39 countries, and codeshares add about 90 more. The long-haul network is strongest in Latin America, reaching from Mexico to Argentina, and it also includes the United States and Tokyo Narita.

Two other brands fly for the group. Iberia Express, launched in 2012, is a low-cost subsidiary on Spanish and European routes. Iberia Regional is operated by Air Nostrum with smaller aircraft on domestic and short international flights.

Iberia joined oneworld in 1999. It runs a joint business with British Airways and Qatar Airways that links schedules and fares on many routes.

Company in numbers

Iberia reported revenue of about 7.54 billion euros and net income of about 1 billion euros in 2024, and it had around 10,800 employees in 2025.

Travel tip: if you are connecting in Madrid between Latin America and another European city, you pass through passport control between the Schengen and non-Schengen parts of the airport. Check the minimum connection time when booking, and confirm your baggage allowance, which depends on your fare and route, on the Iberia website.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
Iberia official website

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  1. Iberia official website
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Good to know

  • Founded1927
  • Online check-inYes

Everything you should know

Airline codes

IB · IBE

IATA · ICAO · callsign “IBERIA”

Look for IB in front of the number on your ticket: that prefix marks a flight sold under the Iberia code. Enter IB and the number to follow an Iberia departure.

Main hub

Madrid (MAD)

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas

Network

About 130 destinations

Spain · Europe · Latin America · North America · Africa · Asia

Iberia is the leading airline between Europe and Latin America, linking Madrid with cities from Mexico to Buenos Aires, plus the US, Africa and Tokyo.

Cabin classes

Economy

and Premium Economy, Business

Business, Premium Economy and Economy on long-haul; Business and Economy within Europe. On long-haul flights to the Americas and southern Africa, Business Plus has seats that lie fully flat. Economy is the main cabin on every flight. On domestic and European routes Iberia sells Business with the middle seat kept free, alongside Economy.

Good to know

Iberia’s short-haul network is complemented by Iberia Express and by Iberia Regional, flown by Air Nostrum. Iberia was the launch customer of the Airbus A321XLR in 2024. Official website: iberia.com.

Frequent flyer

Iberia Club

Member of oneworld

Iberia is a oneworld member; its programme Iberia Club uses Avios.

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At a glance

Iberia (IATA: IB, ICAO: IBE) is the flag carrier of Spain, founded in 1927 and based at Madrid–Barajas Airport. A oneworld member owned by IAG, it flies an all-Airbus fleet of about 99 aircraft to around 130 destinations, with a particularly large network to Latin America.

Key facts about Iberia
HeadquartersMadrid, Spain
Fleet typesAirbus A350-900, A330, A321XLR, A321, A320neo, A320, A319
Frequent flyerIberia Club
Official websiteiberia.com

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
Destinations listed in Iberia’s published network, grouped by region. Seasonal and new Iberia routes come and go, so check the schedule for your dates. Search flights

Spain

Madrid (MAD) departures6 destinations

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Fleet and aircraft

Iberia flies only Airbus aircraft, with about 92 to 99 in service depending on the source. Short and medium-haul routes use A319s, A320s, A320neos and A321s. Iberia was the launch customer for the long-range A321XLR, a narrow-body with the range for some long routes. Long-haul flights use the A330 and the A350-900.

  • Airbus A350-900 Wide-body · 23 Long-haul routes to the Americas, Africa and Asia
  • Airbus A330-200 Wide-body Long-haul routes
  • Airbus A330-300 Wide-body Long-haul routes
  • Airbus A321XLR Narrow-body · 7 Longer, thinner transatlantic routes
  • Airbus A320neo Narrow-body Spain and Europe
  • Airbus A320 Narrow-body Spain and Europe
  • Airbus A321 Narrow-body Spain and Europe
  • Airbus A319 Narrow-body Spain and Europe

Cabin classes

Three cabins on long-haul, two in Europe.

Economy All flights

Meals included on long-haul

On domestic and European flights food is sold on board; on long-haul flights meals are included.

Seat selectionEntertainment on long-haulFood for purchase in Europe

Premium Economy Long-haul

More room for long flights

Extra legroomWider seatExtra baggage

Business All flights

Lie-flat seats on long-haul

Long-haul Business has flat-bed seats with direct aisle access; in Europe the middle seat is kept free.

Lounge accessPriority servicesExtra baggageMeals

Iberia Club

Iberia’s frequent flyer programme, which uses Avios.

Members earn Avios and status on Iberia and oneworld flights and can spend them on award flights, upgrades and partners. Avios can be moved between Iberia Club and other Avios programmes such as British Airways and Vueling.

Iberia's loyalty scheme began as Iberia Plus in 1991. Today it is called Iberia Club and uses Avios, the same points as British Airways, Finnair, Aer Lingus and Qatar Airways.

Baggage allowance

On Iberia, the bag allowance follows your fare type, cabin and route, and the exact figure is printed on your IB e-ticket.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Iberia’s Basic fares in Economy may include only a cabin bag, while other fares include checked baggage. Long-haul flights to the Americas often follow a piece concept. Check your e-ticket.

Pro tip: connecting in Madrid between a Schengen and a non-Schengen flight? Allow time for passport control at Terminal 4.
Travel day

Online Check-in

Iberia check-in comes down to four steps, from checking in online to dropping your bags at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas.

  • Online check-in available
  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Use iberia.com or app to check in for eligible flights. Have your Iberia booking reference or e-ticket number and your surname ready.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    International Iberia passengers need a passport and whatever visa, residence permit or entry documents the destination requires. Domestic IB passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Iberia closes its check-in counters before departure, and passengers who miss the cut-off can be refused boarding. Leave room for bag drop and security at MAD.

    Well before departure
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    At the airport, take your bags to the Iberia bag-drop point. Collect a printed IB boarding pass there if you have not saved one to your phone.

    Iberia counter
Ready to check in? Check in and manage your booking on the official Iberia website.
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Cheap tickets

Ways to pay less for an Iberia ticket, from the dates you choose to the fare type you buy.

  1. 01

    Be flexible with your Iberia dates

    Compare a full week of Iberia departures; midweek days are often priced below Fridays and Sundays.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid peak seasons

    Summer, Christmas and Easter are peak times for Spain–Latin America travel. Book early if you must fly then.

    Summer & Christmas
  3. 03

    Compare Iberia fare types

    Look at the next Iberia fare up: if it bundles a hold bag or easier changes, it may beat the basic fare plus extras.

    Baggage & changes
  4. 04

    Compare Iberia Express

    Iberia Express flies many Spanish and European routes from Madrid and may be cheaper.

    Domestic & Canaries
  5. Ready to compare fares?

    Search Iberia alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search Iberia flights

Reviews and questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Iberia.
Checked against iberia.com and public aviation references, with a review each season.

General

oneworld. You can earn and spend Avios on Iberia and combine its flights with British Airways, Qatar Airways and the other members on one ticket, often connecting through Madrid.