Tomorrow, for the third consecutive year, the Espacio Iberia opens its doors and this time it does so in the main commercial artery of Madrid, on Gran Vía 48. A 1,100sqm space, distributed over two floors, where the airline's customers and the general public will be able to enjoy everything that Iberia offers, try unique experiences through virtual reality, feel like one of the airline's first passengers thanks to the recreation of one of its first planes, and discover the services offered on board the new generation A350 in its three cabin types: Business, Premium Economy and Economy.
In addition, visitors will be able to participate in different tastings of wine, beer, coffee, and other products from the destinations to which the airline flies, and attend activities and meetings of the Talento a Bordo programme.
The Espacio Iberia thus becomes an essential tourist attraction in the main commercial artery of Madrid, where all the content is offered in three languages: Spanish, English and Japanese, since Iberia will begin flying to Tokyo directly from 27 October.
All activities are free and can be enjoyed from 12 noon to 9pm from Monday to Sunday, holidays included.
A Space for Innovation
This new edition of the Espacio Iberia is the most innovative of all. Visitors will be able to try the new virtual reality experience with the Apple Vision Pro, which will provide them with a visit to an exhibition in which the physical and the virtual are mixed, and which will allow them, among other things, to learn what an airplane engine is like and how it is disassembled piece by piece.
By using Meta’s Oculus Quest VR glasses, visitors will access the first Espacio Iberia to take place in the metaverse, a place where they can learn more about the airline, as well as experiencing, for example, new immersive travel on Iberia's A350s.
Visitors will also be able to learn about two of the airline's most recent launches: My Iberia, the new private area where customers can self-manage and personalise their travel experience in the simplest way, and the biometric boarding service. Those who wish to will be able to register for this new service that will allow them to board just by showing their face, without having to show any document at the security check or at the boarding gate.
Commitment to Sustainability
Through information panels, visitors will be able to learn about the actions that Iberia is carrying out in the field of sustainability, with the incorporation of new generation A350 and A320 aircraft that reduce flight emissions by 35%, using sustainable fuels as part of the commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and improving the travel experience by making it more sustainable, thanks to on-board waste management, digitalization and the circular economy.
Likewise, the Espacio Iberia uses 100% renewable energy, 5G connectivity and video analysis for people counting and heat maps.
A Trip to the Past
Another of the great novelties of the Espacio Iberia is the recreation of the first airplane with which the airline began its commercial activity in 1927, the Rohrbach Roland. Visitors will be able to access the inside of their cabin and take a trip back in time that will show them the way people travelled on those early airplanes. To make the experience more authentic, visitors can dress in period costumes and take home a video souvenir of this historic trip.
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Whoever wishes to can also feel like a pilot for a day thanks to the flight simulator that will offer visitors the possibility of taking off and landing at some of the key airports in the Iberia network, such as Madrid, London, Paris, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Bogotá, and Doha. They will enjoy a 10-minute flight accompanied by an instructor.
Business Experience in the Middle of the Gran Vía
As in the two previous editions of the Espacio Iberia, the cabin of a New Generation A350 aircraft has been recreated with Business, Premium Economy, and Economy seats, which will allow customers, and the general public, to enjoy the complete experience offered during Iberia’s flights but without having to take off from the ground.
They will have the opportunity to sample the cuisine offered at 30,000 feet above sea level, while enjoying the comfort of the seats. They will be able to taste the in-flight meals, prepared daily by DO&CO in their kitchens and based on the richness of the Mediterranean diet, with high quality raw materials and local seasonal products.
Showcooking, Wine, Bear and Coffee Tastings and Products from Iberia’s Destinations
One of Iberia's big features is the extensive list of wines selected from the best Spanish denominations of origin that it offers on board its flights. Over the next few weeks, the Espacio Iberia will host various tastings in which a sommelier will share the secrets of each wine. Those who prefer beer can participate in tastings led by an expert brewer from Mahou. Coffee lovers will also have the opportunity to taste this product with the help of a Lavazza coffee expert.
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This year, additionally, visitors will also be able to participate in tastings related to some of the airline’s destinations, such as Puerto Rican rum, to celebrate the 75 years that Iberia has been flying to this country.
Along with all this, Iberia's catering provider, DO&CO, will carry out different showcooking sessions to share the experience of preparing menus on board an airplane.
All these activities must be booked in advance on the espacioiberia.com website, since capacity is limited.
Premium Lounge
Iberia Plus Platinum, Infinita and Infinita Prime customers, and those who have a reservation in a long-haul Business cabin on the opening dates of the Espacio Iberia, will be able to access the Premium Lounge, a special room created for them, with panoramic views of the Gran Vía of Madrid. A room where they can rest, as well as enjoy an aperitif or some tapas, accompanied by wine, beer, coffee, and a range of cocktails.
And those who are not yet Iberia Plus customers can register in the Iberia Space and participate in a draw with prizes of up to 30,000 Avios.
In addition, an area has been set up for purchasing tickets and managing reservations with exclusive discounts.
The Espacio Iberia Store
Visitors to the Espacio Iberia will be able to purchase some of the airline's most iconic products, such as aircraft models, historical posters, the Las Meninas salt and pepper shakers offered in the Business onboard service, and a version of the red bag from the uniform designed by Teresa Helbig, among other products.
Talent on Board
Iberia's Talento a Bordo programme also has a space here, with a permanent exhibition and other temporary ones in which the people taking part in this project will be announced. Talento a Bordo aims to support and disseminate Spanish talent, in Spanish, throughout the world. In addition, the Espacio Iberia will host numerous events over the next few months, such as the meeting between Joaquín Reyes and Ernesto Sevilla under the title “Learn to Laugh in Public: A Workshop to Improve your Social Life”, a conversation between Isa Calderón and Lucía Lijtmaer (the creators of the “Deforme Semanal” podcast), a talk between Cristina Mañana and María Escote, and a discussion with the team of the C. Tangana music production company, among many other events.
Information on all the activities can be found on the website Espacio Iberia.com
