Spanish airline Iberia has just announced its largest-ever Latin America schedule for summer 2026. The airline has confirmed it will operate 3,354,159 seats between Europe and Latin America, a 7.6% increase compared to last summer. Extra capacity has been added to some of the most popular destinations in South and Central America.
Spanish airline Iberia has just announced its largest-ever Latin America schedule for summer 2026. The airline has confirmed it will operate 3,354,159 seats between Europe and Latin America, a 7.6% increase compared to last summer. Extra capacity has been added to some of the most popular destinations in South and Central America.
Looking at the updated Iberia Airways flight map for summer 2026, the airline is clearly doubling down on core Latin American markets while expanding into secondary cities. For summer 2026, Iberia plans to operate up to 366 weekly services between Europe and Latin America, linking Madrid with 18 destinations across 16 countries. That’s an additional 236,000 seats compared to summer 2025, a massive increase on routes where reward seat competition has traditionally been tight.
This growth is part of Iberia’s Flight Plan 2030 strategy, which includes expanding and modernising its fleet. The expansion also reinforces Madrid-Barajas as one of Europe’s most important gateways to Latin America, with Iberia continuing to build a high-frequency hub designed around long-haul connectivity and onward European feed.
Let’s look at each route and its schedule changes in greater detail to get a clearer picture.
A Major Boost for Buenos Aires
Argentina is the clear winner in Iberia’s expansion plans. Buenos Aires will become the airline’s first long-haul route to operate beyond three daily frequencies, with up to 23 flights per week during June, July, and August, up from 21. That equates to almost four departures per day between Madrid and the Argentine capital during peak summer.
From 2nd June 2026, Iberia will introduce a brand-new service between Madrid and Monterrey, Mexico’s third-largest city. The airline has confirmed the route will be operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft, giving it the widebody capacity needed to handle both passenger and cargo demand.
Full Iberia flight details confirm the route will operate three times weekly, adding more than 36,000 seats across the summer schedule. While Monterrey may not immediately appear on the typical UK traveller’s shortlist, the city is an important gateway to northern Mexico and a growing destination in its own right.
New routes are always worth watching closely. Airlines often release more reward inventory when launching services as demand builds, meaning early adopters may find stronger availability than on long-established routes.
Mexico redemptions from London typically start from around 30,000 Avios off-peak in Economy (35,000 peak) or 90,000–100,000 in Business Class. Routing via Madrid adds an extra connection, but if you’re willing to take a slightly longer journey, Monterrey is a great alternative to Mexico’s more crowded destinations. Additional Iberia flight details may be released closer to launch.
Flights to Brazil Get a Significant Capacity Expansion
Iberia is also strengthening its position in Brazil, with overall capacity set to increase by around 15%. The addition of Recife and Fortaleza to the network, combined with expanded services to Rio de Janeiro, will bring the total seat count to close to 400,000 for the season. This may slightly ease the usual scramble for reward seats, especially given how competitive Brazil routes have traditionally been for reward bookings.
Direct British Airways flights to Rio and São Paulo are often heavily booked, and taxes on BA-operated services can climb high, especially in premium cabins. Choosing to connect through Madrid on Iberia may add some travel time, but it can open up additional availability and, in some cases, reduce overall surcharges.
One-way Business Class redemptions to Brazil generally start from around 100,000 Avios off-peak or 110,000 peak, so this extra capacity could be good news if Brazil has been sitting on your Avios wish list.
More Flights to the Caribbean
Caribbean routes are getting more attention, too. The Dominican Republic will see a weekly rise from around seven or eight flights to as many as 10 or 11, while Puerto Rico is receiving a similar increase, moving from seven to nine weekly departures to 10 to 12.
These are attractive long-haul options for Iberia Avios users.Economy redemptions typically start from around 30,000 Avios off-peak, while Business Class seats can begin from roughly 90,000 Avios. With more flights entering the schedule, you’ll find it easier to secure reward seats, especially during peak holiday seasons when Caribbean availability has historically been limited.
Chile Sees Steady Growth
Chile is also benefiting from Iberia’s wider Latin America expansion. Santiago will have close to 240,000 seats available over the summer schedule, a 7% year-on-year increase. The airline plans to operate 12 weekly flights on the route, effectively running two daily services on most days. While the increase may not match the scale of Argentina’s boost, it’s a valuable addition on a route that already sees strong demand.
Overall, this expansion is a strong positive for the wider Avios ecosystem. Iberia’s plans represent one of the bigger increases in flight capacity between Europe and Latin America in recent years, which should mean more seats in the system and more options for travellers willing to connect via Madrid.
Looking at the updated Iberia Airways flight map for summer 2026, the airline is clearly doubling down on core Latin American markets while expanding into secondary cities. For summer 2026, Iberia plans to operate up to 366 weekly services between Europe and Latin America, linking Madrid with 18 destinations across 16 countries. That’s an additional 236,000 seats compared to summer 2025, a massive increase on routes where reward seat competition has traditionally been tight.
This growth is part of Iberia’s Flight Plan 2030 strategy, which includes expanding and modernising its fleet. The expansion also reinforces Madrid-Barajas as one of Europe’s most important gateways to Latin America, with Iberia continuing to build a high-frequency hub designed around long-haul connectivity and onward European feed.
Let’s look at each route and its schedule changes in greater detail to get a clearer picture.
A Major Boost for Buenos Aires
Argentina is the clear winner in Iberia’s expansion plans. Buenos Aires will become the airline’s first long-haul route to operate beyond three daily frequencies, with up to 23 flights per week during June, July, and August, up from 21. That equates to almost four departures per day between Madrid and the Argentine capital during peak summer.
From 2nd June 2026, Iberia will introduce a brand-new service between Madrid and Monterrey, Mexico’s third-largest city. The airline has confirmed the route will be operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft, giving it the widebody capacity needed to handle both passenger and cargo demand.
Full Iberia flight details confirm the route will operate three times weekly, adding more than 36,000 seats across the summer schedule. While Monterrey may not immediately appear on the typical UK traveller’s shortlist, the city is an important gateway to northern Mexico and a growing destination in its own right.
New routes are always worth watching closely. Airlines often release more reward inventory when launching services as demand builds, meaning early adopters may find stronger availability than on long-established routes.
Mexico redemptions from London typically start from around 30,000 Avios off-peak in Economy (35,000 peak) or 90,000–100,000 in Business Class. Routing via Madrid adds an extra connection, but if you’re willing to take a slightly longer journey, Monterrey is a great alternative to Mexico’s more crowded destinations. Additional Iberia flight details may be released closer to launch.
Flights to Brazil Get a Significant Capacity Expansion
Iberia is also strengthening its position in Brazil, with overall capacity set to increase by around 15%. The addition of Recife and Fortaleza to the network, combined with expanded services to Rio de Janeiro, will bring the total seat count to close to 400,000 for the season. This may slightly ease the usual scramble for reward seats, especially given how competitive Brazil routes have traditionally been for reward bookings.
Direct British Airways flights to Rio and São Paulo are often heavily booked, and taxes on BA-operated services can climb high, especially in premium cabins. Choosing to connect through Madrid on Iberia may add some travel time, but it can open up additional availability and, in some cases, reduce overall surcharges.
One-way Business Class redemptions to Brazil generally start from around 100,000 Avios off-peak or 110,000 peak, so this extra capacity could be good news if Brazil has been sitting on your Avios wish list.
More Flights to the Caribbean
Caribbean routes are getting more attention, too. The Dominican Republic will see a weekly rise from around seven or eight flights to as many as 10 or 11, while Puerto Rico is receiving a similar increase, moving from seven to nine weekly departures to 10 to 12.
These are attractive long-haul options for Iberia Avios users.Economy redemptions typically start from around 30,000 Avios off-peak, while Business Class seats can begin from roughly 90,000 Avios. With more flights entering the schedule, you’ll find it easier to secure reward seats, especially during peak holiday seasons when Caribbean availability has historically been limited.
Chile Sees Steady Growth
Chile is also benefiting from Iberia’s wider Latin America expansion. Santiago will have close to 240,000 seats available over the summer schedule, a 7% year-on-year increase. The airline plans to operate 12 weekly flights on the route, effectively running two daily services on most days. While the increase may not match the scale of Argentina’s boost, it’s a valuable addition on a route that already sees strong demand.
Overall, this expansion is a strong positive for the wider Avios ecosystem. Iberia’s plans represent one of the bigger increases in flight capacity between Europe and Latin America in recent years, which should mean more seats in the system and more options for travellers willing to connect via Madrid.
Kayleigh
