Iberia marks 100th anniversary with special

Iberia has revealed a special centenary livery featuring a huge red '100' on the forward fuselage of an Airbus A350. Chairman and CEO Marco Sansavini formally launched the airline's anniversary programme on 23 September 2026, kicking off celebrations for its 100th birthday on 28 June 2027.

The promotional renderings show a large contrasting '100' visible from below, with the red lower fuselage extended further along the aircraft. Iberia has not identified a registration for the pictured A350 and has not given a definitive list of which aircraft types or registrations will carry the scheme, though multiple aircraft are expected to feature it.

A major centenary event is planned for June 2027 at Iberia's La Muñoza maintenance facilities in Madrid. The airline expects around 60,000 current and former employees to participate in events throughout the year. Plans include a special employee flight using flight number IB100, symbolically retracing the airline's century of operations.

An air display is planned at Madrid's historic Cuatro Vientos Airport. Iberia will also install an aircraft tail fin at a prominent location in Barajas in collaboration with Madrid City Council. The Madrid Iberia Space will move to 44 Calle Alcalá and remain open for much of 2027.

Under the Espacio Iberia concept, exhibitions and events are planned in Latin American cities including Buenos Aires, Bogotá, Mexico City, and São Paulo. Madrid's Casa de América will host an initiative highlighting Spain-Latin America links. Iberia will connect its centenary with the Spanish Navy's training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano, which also celebrates its centenary in 2027; industrialist Horacio Echevarrieta helped create both.

The airline will work with CEOE on an event at the Madrid Stock Exchange and shows its centenary projects at FITUR 2027. A documentary, commemorative book, and other events are planned using Iberia's audiovisual archives. A new Iberia Foundation will launch in 2027.

Sansavini commented that the centenary is a tribute to passengers, employees, and cultural connections. Iberia says more than one billion passengers have flown with the airline during its history.

Fleet growth and long-haul expansion under Flight Plan 2030

Iberia's long-haul fleet is growing as part of its Flight Plan 2030, backed by around €6 billion of investment. The fleet grew from 43 aircraft at the beginning of 2025 to 51. The airline ultimately targets around 70 long-haul aircraft by the end of the decade.

The Airbus A350 is one of the most important aircraft in Iberia's modern fleet. As the launch operator for the Airbus A321XLR, Iberia is using the type to enable thinner long-distance routes previously requiring widebody aircraft.

New long-haul cabin interiors and the continued rollout of Starlink satellite connectivity for free high-speed Wi-Fi are coming for passengers. Iberia is also investing in digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and expanding its aircraft maintenance business, including securing a LEAP Premier MRO licence and establishing IAG Engine Tech.

Historical roots and transatlantic connections highlighted

Founded on 28 June 1927, Iberia's deep ties to Latin America are a defining element of its centenary. Latin America is Iberia's most important long-haul market, and Madrid-Barajas has developed into a major connecting hub between Europe and the Americas. The centenary events will pay tribute to the over one billion people who have flown with the airline.

Passenger experience improvements will continue beyond 2028. In-flight meals will receive an anniversary update in collaboration with Spain's Royal Academy of Gastronomy. In 2027, Iberia plans to reveal a new interior design for its long-haul fleet.