Iberia

is the flag carrier of Spain, founded in 1927 and based in Madrid. It was the first Spanish airline and began operations carrying passengers and mail between Madrid and Barcelona. After the Spanish Civil War the carrier was reorganized and brought under state control, becoming a government-owned national airline. Through the mid-twentieth century Iberia expanded steadily, developing extensive services to Latin America in particular, where its cultural and linguistic ties made it a leading carrier between Europe and the Spanish-speaking Americas.

Iberia joined the oneworld alliance in 1999 and was privatized over the following years as the Spanish state reduced its holding. In April 2010 Iberia and British Airways agreed to merge, and in January 2011 the two carriers combined to form International Airlines Group (IAG), a holding company in which both airlines retained their separate brands and identities. Based at Madrid-Barajas Airport, Iberia remains Spain's principal flag carrier and a key link between Europe and Latin America within the IAG group.