Iberia has expanded its North American network by inaugurating a nonstop flight between Madrid-Barajas and Toronto Pearson on 14 June. The route, operated five times per week with the airline’s new long-range Airbus A321XLR, offers more than 37,000 seats during the first summer season and forms part of Iberia’s €6 billion “Flight Plan 2030” growth strategy. Departures leave Madrid at 12:00 and arrive in Toronto at 15:00 local time; the return departs at 17:10, landing in Spain at 06:55 the following day. The 182-seat aircraft features lie-flat business-class beds, on-board Wi-Fi and a lower fuel burn that Iberia says reduces route emissions by 14 percent compared with the A330-200 previously used on seasonal Canadian services. Toronto becomes Iberia’s 12th North-American destination and strengthens Madrid’s position as a trans-Atlantic hub linking Latin America and Asia with Canada via Spain. Madrid’s regional government predicts the new service will inject €31 million into the local economy in its first year, supporting conferences and tech-sector exchanges between the two cities. From a mobility perspective, Spanish multinationals with Canadian operations gain a same-day connection that avoids overnight layovers, while Canadian investors exploring Spain’s renewable-energy and infrastructure projects obtain a direct funnel into the capital. The schedule is also optimised for onward connections to 18 Latin-American cities within three hours of arrival in Madrid. The launch comes as Air Canada prepares to resume Barcelona-Montreal winter flights in November, underlining increased Spain–Canada demand since the 2023 removal of the temporary visa requirement for Spanish short-term visitors. Ticketed passengers can take advantage of Iberia’s “Hola Madrid” stop-over programme, allowing up to nine nights in Spain without airfare penalties—an added lure for corporate travellers combining meetings and leisure.
Source: Diario AS
