Iberia is adding a new destination to its network, with a new route between Madrid and Toronto.
The airline is planning a five-times-a-week service to Toronto as it seeks to improve connectivity, utilising an Airbus A321XLR to lead the charge.
Planned operations are as follows:
IB367 DEPART MAD 12:00 ARRIVE YYZ 15:00 IB368 DEAPRT YYZ 17:00 ARRIVE MAD 06:55+1 Commences 13th June 2026 Operates Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in both directions Booked Equipment: Iberia Airbus A321XLR
Ibera’s Airbus A321XLR has a two-class configuration featuring Business and Economy class seating, with 182 seats in the cabin. The route will offer 37,000 seats between Madrid and Toronto during the upcoming summer season.
In Quotes
María Jesús López Solás, Iberia’s Chief Commercial, Network Development and Alliances Officer, said:
“This launch is part of our Flight Plan 2030, through which we continue to expand our long-haul network and strengthen our presence in North America. Toronto will be our 145th in our destination network, marking a milestone in Iberia’s history. This connection will bring Canada closer to Spain and Europe, while offering Canadian travellers more options to discover our country and the European continent with the best experience. Operating this route with the Airbus A321XLR is not just an operational decision, but a statement of principles: innovation, efficiency, and sustainability are the pillars on which we build our future.”,
Deborah Flint, President & CEO, Toronto Pearson, added:
“We are thrilled to welcome Iberia to Toronto Pearson, marking an exciting new connection between Toronto and Spain,”
“With nearly 70,000 passengers travelling yearly between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, this new partnership will strengthen our global network and give travellers even more options to experience Spain’s vibrant culture, while also enhancing connectivity to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.”
Long, Thin and Economical
Long and Thin routes (eg routes that have a long distance/flight time, combined with a low passenger load) have been a challenge – especially since the Boeing 757 has started fading away (in Europe, the carriers operating that type are getting rarer by the day).
With Iberia reporting that it costs 40% less in fuel costs to send an A321XLR on a mission compared to a widebody aircraft, they’re using the aircraft to drive its transatlantic expansion, whilst offering passengers larger overhead bins, LED lighting and longhaul-type seating – with Thomson Vantage Solo in the front of the aircraft for a 1-1 business class product, and Recaro R3 for economy class seats (which feature 18″ of seat width – important as part of the personal space you have in an economy cabin).
With one year’s worth of operations of the A321XLR, the lessons of that are being passed across the IAG family and how the single-aisle long-haul product can work, as well as aiding in route development within the airline.
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