Iberia turns 100 in 2027, and on September 23, 2026, the Spanish airline began the countdown with an event program, a special centenary livery and a list of onboard upgrades. A lot of the announcement is about celebrations, but a few items matter to anyone who flies Iberia on Avios: Wi-Fi, a new long-haul cabin and lounges.
What happened
According to Iberia’s press release, the main institutional event will take place in June 2027, the month the airline was founded, at its La Muñoza hangars in Madrid. Celebrations start 100 days after the announcement. Highlights from the release (as of October 2026):
| Item | What Iberia said |
|---|---|
| Centenary livery | Unveiled by Chairman and CEO Marco Sansavini; to appear on some aircraft |
| Long-haul cabin retrofit | A new design to be unveiled “in the coming months” |
| Starlink Wi-Fi | Free, high-speed Wi-Fi being rolled out gradually across the fleet |
| Food | Spanish cuisine on board and in premium lounges, developed with the Royal Academy of Gastronomy |
| Events | Air show, an “IB100” commemorative flight, a book and documentary, FITUR 2027 presence, and Iberia spaces in Madrid and several Latin American cities |
The release also gives context on Iberia’s growth plan. The long-haul fleet has grown from 43 aircraft in early 2025 to 51, with a goal of about 70. New Airbus A321XLR jets have opened routes such as Orlando, Recife, Fortaleza, Toronto and Monterrey. PAX International’s coverage confirms the main points and says the Starlink rollout has begun and continues through 2027.
Who it affects
- Anyone flying Iberia to or from the U.S.: Free Wi-Fi and a refreshed long-haul cabin are the changes you’re most likely to notice. AirPro News reports Iberia’s first Starlink flight was an A330-300 from Madrid to São Paulo on June 23, 2026, with installation planned over about two years.
- Top-tier Iberia Club members: Iberia notes it opened the Emerald Lounge Sorolla at Madrid-Barajas Terminal 4. PAX International says it’s for Platino, Platino Prime, Infinita and Infinita Prime passengers.
What it means for Avios and status
Nothing in the centenary announcement changes how many Avios an award costs or how status is earned. The release mentions “commercial promotions” tied to the anniversary but gives no specifics, and it doesn’t mention any Avios offers. We’ll watch for centenary sales in 2027, but nothing has been announced as of October 2026.
What does change is the onboard product your Avios buy. If Wi-Fi matters to you, free Starlink is a real perk on a transatlantic flight, but only on aircraft that already have it. We couldn’t find a public list of equipped aircraft, so on any given flight, don’t count on it yet. The long-haul retrofit is also worth watching. Once Iberia reveals the new design, it could change how attractive Iberia business class is as an Avios redemption compared with partners.
Practical tips
- Book Iberia awards on iberia.com. Compare the Avios-plus-cash price with what partner programs charge for the same flight.
- Transfer only when you’ve found the seat. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers 1:1 to Iberia (per AwardWallet, as of October 2026). Transfers generally can’t be reversed.
- Use transfer bonuses when they line up. See our roundup of October’s Avios transfer bonuses.
- Don’t plan around Wi-Fi yet. The rollout runs through 2027, so bring offline entertainment.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer 1:1 to Iberia. You can compare current offers and apply with our Chase referral link.
Disclosure: This is our personal Chase referral link. If you’re approved through it, we may earn a referral bonus, at no extra cost to you. You can always apply directly on Chase’s website. See our Advertising & Referral Disclosure.
Our take
The centenary is mostly a brand moment, and right now it doesn’t change much for points collectors. The two items with real value, free Starlink Wi-Fi and a new long-haul cabin, are still rolling out or not yet revealed. We’d treat this as a “watch this space” story: if Iberia pairs its 100th birthday with Avios promotions in 2027, that could be worth acting on, but nothing like that is confirmed yet.
Sources
- Iberia: Iberia begins countdown to its centenary (Sept. 23, 2026)
- PAX International: Iberia unveils plans for centenary celebrations
- AirPro News: Iberia launches Starlink Wi-Fi with two-year fleet rollout
- One Mile at a Time: Iberia adding free Starlink Wi-Fi fleetwide
- AwardWallet: Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners
Programs, prices and terms change often; confirm details with the airline or rental company before you book. Points Capital is not a financial advisor.
