The revised plan focuses on leveraging Madrid's geographic position as a primary entry point from Europe to the Americas while relying on partners like Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways for service to Africa and Asia.
"It is very clear to us that the American continent is an opportunity," said Maria Jesús López Solás, chief commercial officer of Iberia.
Aviation analytics firm Cirium reports that Iberia ranked eighth in seat capacity between Europe and the Americas in Q2. Expanding its fleet could elevate its ranking above competitors such as Air Canada and Lufthansa.
Iberia recently announced three new destinations: Monterrey International Airport (MTY) in Mexico, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), and Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ). The Monterrey route will utilize either Airbus A330 or A350 aircraft; Philadelphia and Toronto may see deployment of new Airbus A321XLRs according to Solás.
New flights from MAD are scheduled for October 26, 2025, for Orlando International Airport (MCO), followed by Brazilian destinations Recife/Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC) in December and Pinto Martins-Fortaleza International Airport (FOR) in January 2026.
Iberia continues evaluating potential U.S. East Coast destinations within range of the A321XLR. Possible future additions include Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
An investor presentation indicated possible expansions into Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport—both hubs for Oneworld—as well as additional Canadian and Latin American cities.
In Latin America where it maintains strong market presence among European airlines, Iberia plans further growth including additional flights to major cities like Buenos Aires, Mexico City, and Santiago de Chile described as "super core" markets by Sansavini.
"No one has the coverage that we have," he stated.
Iberia aims for annual schedule growth between 3%–5% through 2030 supported by acquiring more aircraft including five A321XLRs nine A350-900s plus eleven out twenty-one ordered A330-900s stretching deliveries into early next decade contingent upon meeting financial targets set between operating profit margins ranging from thirteen-point-five percent up fifteen percent annually according Sansavini otherwise slower pace might ensue if unmet
Enhancements planned at MAD involve opening third premium lounge catering specifically towards travelers holding highest loyalty tier status under Oneworld Emerald expected completion around year-end complementing existing facilities already serving Schengen Area outbound passengers alongside those bound non-European locations
Sansavini refrained addressing potential bottlenecks faced non-EU passport holders experiencing extended customs wait times exceeding hour thereby impacting efficiency scheduling necessitating longer layovers improving terminal throughput capacity anticipated ongoing multi-billion-dollar Terminal Four expansion spearheaded operator known publicly traded entity called “Aena” aligned coherently developmental objectives expressed collaborating closely together ensuring successful realization vision shared collaboratively
"We're working closely with Aena," affirmed Sansavini confidently expressing belief alignment coherent underlying developmental blueprint mapped collectively envisioning continued success fulfilling outlined aspirations achieving projected goals stated previously
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