MADRID / ORLANDO — Spanish flag carrier Iberia has inaugurated a new nonstop flight between Madrid and Orlando, Florida, marking the only direct air connection between Spain and the Central Florida destination. The move strengthens the airline’s growing transatlantic network and expands its footprint in the competitive U.S. travel market.
The new route, which launched October 26, operates four times weekly—on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays—providing more than 46,000 seats during the winter season. The service represents a strategic addition to Iberia’s North American schedule, catering to both leisure and business travelers seeking easier access between Europe and one of the world’s most visited cities.
A Milestone in Iberia’s U.S. Expansion
“This new route to Orlando is a significant milestone in Iberia’s U.S. expansion strategy,” said Beatriz Guillén, Iberia’s Customers Director. “With nine U.S. destinations now in our network, we solidify our position as the leading airline connecting Spain and North America. Orlando is more than a tourist hotspot—it’s a global center for leisure, business, and innovation.”
Guillén added, “We’re proud to be the only airline offering direct flights from Spain to this dynamic city, strengthening Madrid’s role as a gateway between Europe and the Americas.”
The inaugural flight departed Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport at 11:30 a.m. local time and landed at Orlando International Airport (MCO) at 4:45 p.m., carrying 272 passengers. At Madrid’s Terminal 4 Satellite, Iberia hosted a festive sendoff that featured a Walt Disney World-themed archway and entertainment kits for children aboard the aircraft—gestures designed to highlight the partnership between Iberia and Florida’s signature tourism brand.
Orlando’s Global Appeal
Orlando, home to Walt Disney World Resort, remains one of the world’s most prominent tourism hubs, attracting tens of millions of visitors annually. The sprawling destination features four theme parks, two water parks, a sports complex, three golf courses, and more than 20 themed hotels. Its Disney Springs district adds high-end dining and shopping to the mix, making the region a perennial favorite for families and international travelers alike.
Walt Disney World is currently undergoing its largest expansion in two decades, introducing new attractions such as TRON Lightcycle/Run and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom. These additions, alongside recent crowd-pullers like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, continue to drive global demand for travel to Central Florida.
Beyond leisure, Orlando has evolved into a fast-growing destination for business tourism. The city’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector is anchored by the Orange County Convention Center, one of the largest in the United States, spanning 2.1 million square feet. The facility hosts hundreds of major events annually, from global trade expos to corporate summits.
The area’s proximity to Cape Canaveral—home to a booming space industry and cruise terminals—further underscores Orlando’s dual identity as both a leisure magnet and a business gateway.
Boosting International Connectivity
Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which operates Orlando International Airport, welcomed Iberia’s arrival as a sign of growing transatlantic demand. “We’re thrilled to welcome Iberia’s nonstop service to Madrid. Demand between our cities is at an all-time high, and this route connects two vibrant destinations for leisure and business travelers,” he said.
“It opens new opportunities for Central Floridians to explore the world and invites more international visitors to experience Orlando’s offerings,” Lyttle added.
Tiago Santos, General Manager of Disney Destinations for Spain and Portugal, echoed that enthusiasm. “This partnership with Iberia simplifies travel for Spanish visitors heading to Walt Disney World. It’s a game-changer, making the journey to the magic more accessible and reinforcing the bond between our two brands,” he said.
Expanding Transatlantic Reach
Iberia operates the Madrid-Orlando route with Airbus A330 aircraft configured in Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes. With this launch, the airline now serves ten U.S. destinations: Orlando, New York, Miami, Boston, Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Puerto Rico, and San Francisco.
By 2025, Iberia expects to offer nearly 2 million seats and 150 weekly flights between Spain and the United States. Its winter schedule includes two daily flights each to New York and Miami and up to two daily flights to Boston and Puerto Rico using its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft. Washington, D.C. flights have been expanded to a year-round schedule, while Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and San Francisco remain key seasonal or daily connections.
With the addition of Orlando, Iberia deepens its role as a transatlantic bridge for European and American travelers—one that continues to expand even as competition intensifies across the North Atlantic corridor.
