The Spanish airline Iberia has reached a new milestone in its long-haul network by deploying the Airbus A321XLR on the Madrid-Santo Domingo route. Although this operation will be temporary, it represents the longest flight the company has scheduled with its new narrow-body aircraft.
Starting on October 2, 2025, the A321XLR will cover the 3,617 nautical miles (6,699 km) between the Spanish and Dominican capitals. This connection will operate only twice a week (Thursdays and Sundays) and will conclude on October 23, with a total of seven round-trip flights scheduled. For now, there are no plans for the aircraft to continue on this route beyond that date.
Flights operated with the A321XLR will depart Madrid at 15:50, arriving in Santo Domingo at 18:45 (local time). Return flights will take off from the Dominican capital at 20:15, landing at Barajas Airport at 10:50 the following day (local time).
→ Iberia Sets Course for Future: Invests €6 Billion in Flight Plan 2030
A Shift in the History of the Madrid-Santo Domingo Route
Iberia has maintained a consistent presence in Santo Domingo, traditionally using wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A330-300, the A340, and, in earlier years, even the Boeing 747. This will mark the first time the airline serves this route with a single-aisle aircraft.
Capacity will also be significantly reduced: from the 292 seats on the A330-300 to just 182 on the A321XLR. This decision may reflect lower demand typical of October, which falls outside peak travel season, or operational needs such as scheduled maintenance for the A330 fleet.
A321XLR: A Key Player in Transatlantic Expansion
The deployment of the A321XLR underscores Iberia’s commitment to operational flexibility on long-haul routes with lower passenger volumes. While the Santo Domingo route is the longest by distance for the XLR, it ranks fifth in terms of flight duration within the airline’s operational map.
Other destinations operated or scheduled with the A321XLR in Iberia’s network between July 2025 and March 2026 include:
| Route | Distance (nautical miles) | Start Date |
| Madrid-Santo Domingo | 3,617 | October 2025 only |
| Madrid-San Juan | 3,448 | September 13, 2025 |
| Madrid-Recife | 3,386 | December 13, 2025 |
| Madrid-Washington D.C. | 3,316 | Operational since April 2025 |
| Madrid-Fortaleza | 3,272 | January 19, 2026 |
| Madrid-New York | 3,119 | October 26, 2025 |
| Madrid-Boston | 2,963 | Operational since November 2024 |
Although the Santo Domingo route with the A321XLR is only confirmed for October 2025, an extension in the future is not ruled out, depending on demand trends or operational adjustments. Additionally, destinations like Philadelphia and Toronto may soon join the new aircraft’s portfolio.
Related Topics
Argentina: Airline Sector Reaches a New Historic Record in International Travel
Emirates Inaugurates “Emirates First”: New and Exclusive First-Class Experience at Dubai Airport
Panama: Tocumen Airport Surpasses 10 Million Passengers in First Half of 2025
American Airlines to Launch First-Ever Provisions by Admirals Club Lounge at Charlotte Airport
Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial con 13 años de trayectoria.