Iberia returns to Washington with new Madrid flight
Iberia will return to Washington with a new flight to the U.S. capital from Madrid.
The Oneworld Alliance carrier will resume flights to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on May 1, Iberia said Wednesday. The route will operate four-times-per-week initially. On July 6, the service will increase to five weekly flights that operate on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Iberia last served Washington in 2010, when it ended flights from Madrid, according to Cirium schedule data.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
The airline will fly an Airbus A330-300 between Madrid (MAD) and Dulles. The aircraft are configured with 29 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats and 242 economy seats.
In the U.S., Iberia partners with American Airlines, which has a hub nearby at Washington's at Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA). That airport, however, focuses mostly on domestic traffic and is unlikely to produce feed Iberia's service at Dulles, located about 30 miles to the west.
Washington joins Boston (BOS) among U.S. cities receiving new service from International Airlines Group-owned (IAG) carriers in 2020. The Iberia route complements low-cost carrier LEVEL's planned new service between Boston and Paris Orly (ORY).
British Airways, IAG's largest airline, has yet to announce any new U.S. routes next year. The Oneworld carrier has been on a tear the past few years, adding Charleston (CHS) in South Carolina, Nashville (BNA), New Orleans (MSY) and Pittsburgh to its map.
"With the launch of flights to Washington Dulles, our eighth U.S. destination, we are strengthening our presence in the United States," María Jesús López, chief network development officer at Iberia, said in a statement. "This new route allows us to meet the needs of our corporate and premium customers as well as those of people from the greater D.C. area coming to Spain on holidays."
Iberia is the latest international carrier to add Washington Dulles to its map. Cabo Verde Airlines is due to begin service in December, and SWISS will connect the U.S. capital and Zurich next March.
Related: United Airlines adds 3 more routes to growing Washington Dulles hub
Dulles has also added Alitalia, EgyptAir and TAP Air Portugal to its roster of foreign airlines this year. The international growth is part of an effort by the airport to grow passenger numbers to more than 30 million, from 24.1 million in 2018, over the next few years.
Iberia will compete with United Airlines between Madrid and Washington.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
- Top rated mobile app