Iberia has launched a new direct route between Toronto and Madrid, adding five weekly flights and more than 37,000 seats during the summer season. The new service strengthens air links between Canada, Spain and the rest of Europe while expanding the airline’s North American network.
The route began operations on 17 June 2026 and is supported by Madrid Turismo by IFEMA Madrid, together with the Madrid Regional Government and Madrid City Council. Flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays using the Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
The new connection forms part of Iberia’s Flight Plan 2030, a long-term strategy that includes €6 billion in investment across fleet renewal, digitalisation, customer experience improvements and network expansion. The airline plans to increase its long-haul fleet from 51 to 70 aircraft under the programme.
Through its hub at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, Iberia customers travelling from Toronto gain access to more than 60 destinations across Europe and 46 destinations within Spain. The airline said the route further strengthens Madrid’s role as a major gateway between Europe and the Americas.
“The addition of Toronto to our network represents a significant step forward in Iberia’s international growth strategy and in the consolidation of Madrid as one of the leading global hubs between Europe and the Americas. This new route not only broadens travel options for our customers, but also contributes to strengthening economic, business, and tourism ties between Canada, Spain, and the whole of Europe,” said Juan Cierco, Iberia’s Chief Corporate Officer.
Madrid Targets Canadian Tourism Growth
The route is also part of Madrid’s international tourism promotion strategy aimed at increasing the city’s visibility in North America. Officials estimate the service will generate an economic impact of around €31 million during its first year of operation.
Luis Martín Izquierdo, Madrid Regional Government Vice-Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, said the region combines culture, sport, gastronomy, leisure and shopping with increasingly distinctive visitor experiences.
According to Almudena Maíllo, Madrid City Council Tourism Councilor, Canadian arrivals to Madrid increased by 9.5% in 2026, making Canada one of the city’s strongest-performing long-haul markets. She said the new route further strengthens ties between Toronto and Madrid.
Daniel Martínez, Executive Vice President of IFEMA MADRID, said a €3 million investment through Madrid Turismo by IFEMA MADRID has supported a broad promotional campaign across North America, including the Toronto route and other US connections.
Part of Iberia’s Largest North American Schedule
Passengers flying from Toronto can connect to Iberia’s wider network through optimised schedules. The Toronto flight arrives in Madrid at 06:55, allowing onward connections to European and Spanish destinations, while the Madrid departure at 12:00 enables connections from across Spain and Europe.
Travellers can also take advantage of the Stopover Hola Madrid programme, which allows passengers connecting through Madrid to stay in the Spanish capital for up to nine nights at no additional airfare cost. Benefits include a complimentary two-day public transport card and discounts on hotels, cultural attractions, leisure activities and shopping. In 2025, the programme attracted nearly 40,000 users, up 38% year-on-year.
The route is operated by the Airbus A321XLR, a key aircraft in Iberia’s long-haul expansion strategy. The aircraft features 182 seats across Business and Economy cabins and allows the airline to operate transatlantic routes with greater efficiency and flexibility. Iberia currently operates eight A321XLR aircraft.
Toronto joins the largest North American schedule in Iberia’s history. During 2026, the airline plans to offer more than 2.2 million seats and up to 170 weekly flights between Spain, the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, representing capacity growth of nearly 13% compared with the previous year.
