Iberia announced that it will expand its international network for the 2025–2026 winter season, adding new routes from Madrid to Orlando, United States, and to Recife and Fortaleza in Brazil.

According to the company, the direct connection between Madrid and Orlando will begin on October 26, 2025, with four weekly flights operated by Airbus A330 aircraft, which have a capacity of 254 passengers. Iberia will offer more than 46,000 seats on this route throughout the season.

“We believe Orlando could become the star destination for the next Christmas season thanks to our relationship with Disney Destinations,” said María Jesús López Solás, Iberia’s Chief Commercial, Network Development, and Alliances Officer.

Kevin J. Thibault, CEO of Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, stated that this direct route “reflects our commitment to further fostering global connections” between Orlando and Madrid.

The company will also strengthen its presence in Brazil by launching flights to Recife starting December 13, 2025, with three weekly frequencies, increasing to five starting in February 2026. Fortaleza will begin receiving Iberia flights on January 19, 2026, initially with three weekly flights, increasing to four per week in February.

Most notably, these new Brazilian routes will be operated with the new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, a model Iberia globally launched in November 2024 and currently uses on routes to Boston and Washington. According to the airline, these aircraft offer a range of up to 7,500 kilometers, feature 182 seats across Business and Economy classes, and deliver over 40% fuel savings compared to similar wide-body aircraft. These will be the first transatlantic services operated by the A321XLR outside the North Atlantic corridor.

“We believe Brazil has great potential beyond the main cities we already serve. With the addition of the new A321XLR, we can explore new routes across the Atlantic, gauge their performance, and gradually adapt our offer to meet demand,” said López Solás.

Marcelo Freixo, President of Embratur, added: “Fortaleza and Recife are vibrant gateways to Brazil’s unique beauty and experiences. We are expanding access for Spanish tourists to the Brazilian northeast, which features warm-water beaches, stunning natural landscapes, and rich local cuisine and culture. In 2024, we saw a 13% increase in tourists from Spain, and the launch of these routes will help us continue growing.”

From the state government of Pernambuco, Acting Governor Priscila Krause said the new Recife-Europe connection will “further strengthen cultural and economic ties.” Eduardo Loyo, President of Empetur, noted that this route is the result of joint work started in 2023.

Meanwhile, Ceará Governor Elmano de Freitas described the new direct connection between Madrid and Fortaleza as “a milestone for the state,” adding that it will help reinforce Ceará’s position as a global destination.

With these new destinations, Iberia will offer approximately 284,000 seats to Brazil during the 2025–2026 winter season.