Iberia has just announced its newest transatlantic route. While it wasn’t necessarily one we were told to expect, I also don’t think it’s terribly surprising.
IB327 Madrid to Newark departing 7:35PM arriving 10:25PM
IB328 Newark to Madrid departing 11:55PM arriving 1:20PM (+1 day)
The 3,606-mile flight is blocked at 8hr50min westbound and 8hr25min eastbound. Iberia will use an Airbus A321XLR for the service, featuring 182 seats. This includes 14 business class seats and 168 economy seats. This is Iberia’s new long range narrow body plane, and you can read my review of Iberia’s A321XLR business class here, and my overall thoughts on the A321XLR here.
What’s interesting is that with Iberia’s “Flight Plan 2030 concept,” the airline had claimed that Philadelphia (PHL) was the next destination in the United States under consideration. However, it seems that Newark got new service first.
Here’s how Iberia’s Chief Commercial, Network Development, and Alliances Officer, María Jesús López Solás, describes this:
“Our new flight to Newark is a tangible example of how Iberia is bringing our Flight Plan 2030 to life — a roadmap designed to consolidate our position as the leader in connectivity between Europe and the Americas. The addition of Newark not only strengthens our presence in New York with a third daily frequency but also expands options for our customers by offering greater flexibility in schedules and fares, along with the advantages of multi-frequency service. Newark’s proximity to Manhattan makes it an excellent choice for the corporate market. Furthermore, diversifying between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark allows us to optimize operations and better adapt to market needs, reinforcing our position along one of the most strategic corridors across the Atlantic.”
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on One Mile at a Time.
