Iberia is planning to significantly shift its flight timings between Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and will operate the only westbound transatlantic redeye between Europe and the United States.
The flight changes were first flagged by X user JoeTravels. Beginning this winter, the Spanish flag carrier will operate the route with some very odd timings, though it will allow travelers to potentially spend an extra day in Europe and wake up refreshed in the United States the next morning.
Iberia is a member of OneWorld along with American Airlines and is part of the alliance’s transatlantic joint venture along with British Airways. Currently, Iberia flights between DFW and Madrid operate on the following schedule:
| Flight | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|
| IB 363 (MAD-DFW) | 4:00p | 8:10p |
| IB 364 (DFW-MAD) | 9:40p | 2:20p (+1 day) |
Admittedly, the current flight timings aren’t great for onward connections beyond Madrid and DFW, though both facilitate plenty of connecting opportunities when flying to Madrid or Dallas.
The new flights will have a much more traditional eastbound leg, departing DFW in the afternoon and arriving in Europe the next morning but, it’s the return flight that have people talking.
| Flight | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|
| IB 363 (MAD-DFW) | 12:55a | 5:30a |
| IB364 (DFW-MAD) | 1:55p | 6:15a (+1 day) |
As I mentioned above, this will be the only westbound overnight transatlantic flight between the United States and Europe. While the timing of this is odd, it will provide better connecting opportunities when heading both directions via DFW and Madrid. I would love to know the rationale behind these timings because American operates the route on what many would consider to be a normal schedule.
Summary
Iberia is drastically shifting its flight times on the route between Madrid and Dallas/Ft. Worth. The new timings will improve connectivity on both ends and holding the title of the only overnight, westbound, transatlantic flight between Europe and the United States.