The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority celebrated the launch of Iberia Airline’s new nonstop service between Washington, D.C. (IAD) and Spain’s Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) on Wednesday. The inaugural flight, featuring a special City of Madrid themed aircraft, was powered by a sustainable aviation fuel blend – a first for a trans-Atlantic flight by the Spanish carrier. 

“We welcome this new option for passengers to fly between the capital of the United States and the capital of Spain,” said Airports Authority President and CEO Jack Potter. “As global travel continues to re-emerge from the COVID pandemic period, we are working with Iberia and our other airline partners to expand service from Dulles International Airport, which currently provides nonstop flights to more than 80 cities across the United States and nearly 60 destinations around the world.” 

Iberia is the first new international airline to commence Dulles service since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Passengers on this new route will travel aboard Airbus A330 aircraft, with nonstop flights offered four times per week. 

At a gate event prior to Wednesday evening’s inaugural flight from Dulles, officials from the Airports Authority, Iberia Airline and Spanish tourism agency Madrid Destino gathered to celebrate and cut a ribbon with passengers and members of the airport community. Spanish-themed musicians and dancers provided entertainment at the gate. 

“The flights to Washington, D.C., that we are launching today represent a turning point after the pandemic, and we hope that they mark the definitive take-off toward recovery,” said Javier Sánchez-Prieto, Chairman and CEO of Iberia. “We are very happy to start operating at Dulles International Airport, and we are certain that these new flights will contribute to improving the flow of tourists and commercial relations between the two countries as well as the connectivity for the Spanish expats living in Washington, D.C., and vice versa.” 

(Pictured left to right): Juan Pujadas, Iberia Captain; J. Walter Tejada, Airports Authority Board Director; Jack Potter, Airports Authority President and CEO; Javier Sánchez-Prieto, Iberia Chairman and CEO; Almudena Maillo, Madrid City Council Delegate for Tourism; 
Robert W. Lazaro, Jr., Airports Authority Board Director; Angel Sobrecargo, Iberia Cabin Manager

Iberia’s new capital-to-capital route to Washington, D.C., becomes one of nine U.S. gateways for the Spanish carrier. From its base in Madrid, Iberia connects to more than 100 markets, including 60 to other countries in Europe. Flights can be purchased by visiting www.iberia.com/us/. 

Schedule details for the new service are as follows: 

Iberia is the flag carrier of Spain and a member of the Oneworld alliance, offering connecting customers easy access to many destinations worldwide beyond their Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport hub or across the United States after arriving at Dulles International. Iberia joins 31 other air carriers offering more than 70 daily flights to 57 nonstop international destinations this summer from the leading international airport in the National Capital Region.