The transatlantic flight market between Spain and the United States is experiencing significant growth, with a projected total of 1,724 flights scheduled for December 2025. This figure represents a remarkable 16% year-on-year increase from the 1,486 flights recorded in December 2024, according to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company. This surge in flight numbers has also contributed to a 14.9% rise in seat capacity, reflecting the introduction of additional services, some operated by smaller aircraft.
Iberia Leads the Charge
Spanish flag carrier Iberia is the dominant player in this growing market, offering 732 flights and 205,592 seats between Spain and the US this December. These figures mark substantial increases of 32.6% and 25.9% respectively compared to the previous year. The airline’s most popular route is from Madrid (MAD) to New York (JFK), featuring two daily round trips. Other significant destinations served more than once daily from Madrid include San Juan, Puerto Rico (48 rotations), Boston (46), and Miami (44).
Iberia has been leveraging the capabilities of the Airbus A321XLR, which has expanded its reach on the East Coast. Ramiro Sequeira, Iberia’s Chief Production Officer, emphasized the transformative impact of the A321XLR on the airline’s long-haul strategy. He noted, “The Airbus A321XLR has transformed our long-haul strategy, enabling us to open new destinations and increase frequencies with unprecedented efficiency. Its range and fuel savings give us unique flexibility.”
American Airlines and Delta Air Lines Expand Operations
American Airlines, a fellow member of the oneworld alliance, maintains a strong presence in the Spain-US market, with 432 flights scheduled this month, unchanged from December 2024. However, the airline has increased its seat capacity by 5.7%, indicating the use of larger aircraft or denser seating configurations. American operates a diverse fleet of widebody twinjets, primarily from the Boeing 777 and 787 families, connecting major cities including Madrid to JFK and Miami.
Delta Air Lines has reported the largest growth among US carriers, increasing its flight offerings by 20.2% from 213 flights in December 2024 to 256 flights this year. Delta’s operations include 62 flights using the Airbus A330-300 and 194 flights with the Boeing 767-400ER. Notably, the Atlanta (ATL) to Barcelona route features 35 round trips, with major routes also connecting Atlanta to Madrid and JFK to Barcelona.
United Airlines, while not as expansive as its competitors, is also involved in the Spain-US market. It has scheduled 197 flights this month, reflecting an 8.8% increase from last year. United primarily serves Madrid and Barcelona from its Newark (EWR) hub, alongside additional routes from Washington (IAD) and Chicago (ORD).
Air Europa, the final airline providing scheduled passenger flights between the countries, has slightly decreased its offerings from 108 flights in December 2024 to 107 flights this year. Most of its operations utilize Boeing 787s, with some services operated by Iberojet using Airbus A330-900s.
The growing connectivity between Spain and the US is indicative of increasing demand for transatlantic travel, driven by both leisure and business needs. The expansion of flight options not only enhances accessibility but also contributes positively to the tourism sectors of both nations. As the market evolves, airlines are strategically adapting their fleets and routes to meet passenger demands, setting the stage for a vibrant future in transatlantic travel.
