Toronto Meets Madrid: Iberia Starts Flights in June 2026

If you blinked in November, you might have missed this exciting news.

Back in the fall, Iberia quietly announced that it will begin nonstop service between Toronto and Madrid beginning June 13, 2026.

And yes, this is a big one for Canadian travellers.

Let’s dive into the details!

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A Second Nonstop Option to Madrid

Up until now, the only airline flying nonstop between Toronto and Madrid has been Air Canada. Iberia’s entry into the market changes that.

Any time we see competition on a transatlantic route out of Toronto, it matters. More capacity often leads to more competitive pricing, better seat availability, and stronger redemption opportunities across alliances.

For those of us who watch fares like a sport, this is the kind of announcement that deserves a second look.

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The Schedule

Iberia will operate the route five times weekly on:

Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

The planned timings are:

Madrid to Toronto
Departs 12:00
Arrives 15:00

Toronto to Madrid
Departs 17:10
Arrives 06:55 the following day

The late afternoon departure from Toronto is especially appealing. You can work a full day, head to Pearson, and wake up early in Spain, ready to connect onward.

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The Aircraft: Airbus A321XLR

This is not just any aircraft launch.

Iberia will operate the route using the Airbus A321XLR. Iberia was the global launch airline for this long range narrow body jet, and it is central to the airline’s North American expansion.

The aircraft features 182 seats in Business and Economy, along with the newer Airspace cabin design that includes larger overhead bins and updated lighting.

Operationally, the A321XLR is significantly more fuel efficient than traditional wide body jets. That efficiency allows airlines to open routes like Toronto to Madrid with lower risk and more flexibility.

For travellers, the key takeaway is this: you are getting a modern long haul product on a single aisle aircraft designed specifically for missions like this.

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Using Avios Points to Fly Toronto to Madrid

If you want to redeem points on this route, you can do so with Avios. Canadians holding RBC Avion points can transfer them 1:1 to British Airways Executive Club Avios, then move those Avios into Iberia Plus to book flights.

Alternatively, you can keep the points in your BA account and book Iberia flights directly through British Airways. Either way, this is a great option for using points to fly the new Toronto to Madrid service without paying cash fares.

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Why This Matters for Canadians

Madrid is not just a destination! It is a gateway to Europe.

From Madrid, Iberia offers extensive connectivity across Spain, the rest of Europe, North Africa, and parts of Latin America. For Canadians looking to build multi city European itineraries, this opens up new routing possibilities. You can also book a stopover in Madrid for up to 9 nights, which is a great option for seeing a bit of Spain while continuing onto the rest of your travels.

It also reinforces Toronto’s role as a major transatlantic hub. With Iberia joining Air Canada on the route, travellers now have more choice, more schedule flexibility, and potentially more competitive fares heading into summer 2026.

For points savvy Canadians, this route is also exciting because RBC Avion points can be converted to British Airways Avios and then redeemed for Iberia flights. This provides a great opportunity to fly Toronto to Madrid using points instead of cash, whether for economy or business class.

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The Bottom Line

When this was first announced in November, it may have flown under the radar. But as we move closer to the June launch, this is one of those routes worth keeping on your watch list.

New competition. A next generation aircraft. A high demand European destination.

Toronto to Madrid just became a little more exciting.