July 2024

This year Iberia airline increased by 30% their seat capacity on flights connecting Puerto Rico to Europe. 

Recently, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) and Iberia informed that the airline will have around 200,000 seats, significantly strengthening the flight connections between Puerto Rico and Spain. This growth will also foster connection with more than 100 destinations across the European continent. 

This milestone is due in large part of daily flights between Puerto Rico and Spain that have been operating for most of 2024, representing an increase compared to 2023 when there were only four or five weekly flights. 

“At the Tourism Company, we are filled with satisfaction and enthusiasm to announce for the first time in history a daily flight by Iberia Airlines, which will operate for most of the year on this route. This will set a record in connectivity between San Juan and Madrid, undoubtedly leading to increased tourism exchange between both destinations, which will impact the tourism industry and economic development in Puerto Rico” celebrated Carlos Mercado Santiago, executive director of the PRTC. 

This route is operated by the latest A330-200 aircraft which has 288 distributed seats between Business and Tourist class, adapting to the needs of each client while also doing it in a sustainable manner reducing by fuel consumption 15%. 

“In Latin America, we are experiencing a period of expansion, as evidenced by the 16% growth in capacity we have deployed this year, resulting in more than 5.3 million seats available between both regions, a historic record. And in this context, the increase we have achieved in Puerto Rico is key to further consolidating our leadership in the country and becoming the preferred choice for all our customers in Latin America to fly to Europe,” stated Marina Colunga, Commercial Director of Iberia for Latin America.

Beyond increasing capacity, Puerto Rico has been Iberia’s focal point throughout this year as the route connecting the island with Europe celebrated its 75th anniversary since its first flight. This makes it one of the oldest routes of the airline in all Latin America, a region it first reached in 1946. 

Earlier this year, Puerto Rico and Iberia signed a tourism promotion agreement that has driven diverse initiatives throughout 2024. One highlight is that one of Iberia’s A321 aircraft is now flying across Europe wrapped in the image of Puerto Rico.