On July 1st, 1949, Iberia’s inaugural flight between Madrid and Paris took flight. The first flight (IB162) was operated with a 66-Passenger Douglas DC-4 Skymaster.
On Monday (July 1st, 2024), Iberia celebrated the 75th anniversary of their inaugural flight between Madrid and Paris. On July 1st, 1949, Iberia flight IB162, a Douglas DC-4 Skymaster, departed Madrid at 10:30 and arrived in Paris at 14:15, before continuing on to London Heathrow. While onboard, guests enjoyed refreshments and lunch, affirming Iberia’s early commitment to customer comfort and satisfaction. In 1949, the return trip between Madrid and Paris cost 2,340 pesetas, plus 14 pesetas per kilo for excess baggage. In Celebration of the milestone anniversary, the carrier is offering Iberia Plus customers double Avios on any flight booked to Paris between July 1st and July 31, 2024.
Additionally, Iberia Plus customers will be able to enter a drawing for two three-day passes for a trip to Disneyland Paris. The drawing will take place on August 1st, 2024, and the winner will be notified shortly thereafter.
Iberia's Inaugural Flight Between Madrid and Paris Took Flight on July 1st, 2024 With a Douglas DC-4 Skymaster - Courtesy Iberia
The 66-seat Douglas DC-4 Skymaster featured a number of innovations, including integral fuel tanks in the wings, a tricycle landing gear with wheels that retracted and were housed in closed compartments, and a constant cross-section fuselage. Iberia operated the aircraft type from 1946 through 1968. Currently, Iberia operates up to 10 daily flights between Madrid and Paris with a 186-seat Airbus A320neo powered by efficient CFM LEAP-1A engines. The aircraft delivers a 15-20 percent reduction in fuel use and CO2 emissions, along with a 50 percent smaller noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft.
Source: Iberia