Iberia launches world's first long-haul Airbus A321XLR flight from Madrid

Iberia has made aviation history by operating the first long-haul commercial flight using the Airbus A321XLR. The inaugural flight took place on November 14, when Iberia's aircraft, registered as EC-OIL, departed from Madrid to Boston. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the airline following six days of short-haul flights across Europe.

The A321XLR is configured with a two-class layout accommodating 182 passengers. It features 14 fully flat beds in business class and 168 economy seats. On its maiden long-haul journey, Iberia flight IB347 left Madrid at 13:03 and landed in Boston at 14:34 local time after a journey lasting seven hours and thirty-one minutes.

The aircraft initially operates on the Madrid-Boston route three times weekly alongside an A330-200 service. The frequency will increase to six times weekly before Christmas and become daily by mid-January, continuing until May 9. From May 10, Iberia plans to offer double daily flights between Madrid and Boston.