Are you looking to cross the Atlantic and visit the USA? Well, we have compiled a cheat sheet of all the best airlines, best practices and best destinations to make your journey as smooth as possible, both in the air and in your wallet. ✈️💸
Iberia is the national flag carrier airline of Spain, with its main hub at Madrid-Barajas Airport. As a founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance, it has a strong global network. They are known for their extensive services connecting Europe and Latin America, but they also have a significant presence on trans-Atlantic routes to the United States.
Iberia's flight schedule from Spain to the USA can vary depending on the season, with more flights available during the busy summer travel period. However, according to recent reports, for the summer of 2025, Iberia is scheduled to operate approximately 140 weekly flights to the United States.
Iberia's modern fleet consists entirely of Airbus aircraft, including the long-haul Airbus A330 and A350 models used on its trans-Atlantic routes, which are known for their fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.
Skytrax Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
United Airlines is a major U.S. legacy carrier and a founding member of the Star Alliance, the world's largest airline alliance. United has been expanding its long-haul services to Europe, including direct flights from major Spanish cities.
The airline operates a hub-and-spoke model, with key hubs at Newark, Chicago, and Washington-Dulles, which provide numerous connection opportunities to destinations across the United States.
United operates up to nine daily flights, totalling over 60 flights per week. These flights connect major Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona to key U.S. hubs such as Newark and Washington, D.C. United is also unique in offering seasonal direct flights from smaller Spanish airports like Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, and Bilbao, solidifying its position as a major player on this transatlantic route.
United Airlines operates a massive fleet of over 1,000 mainline aircraft, making it one of the largest in the world. Its fleet includes a mix of narrow-body jets from both Airbus and Boeing for domestic and shorter international flights, while its wide-body aircraft, used for long-haul routes, are exclusively manufactured by Boeing.
Skytrax Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
As one of the world's largest airlines, American Airlines has an extensive global network that includes a strong presence in Spain. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, American operates out of several major hubs, including Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CL.T), and Philadelphia (PHL), which serve as key points of entry for flights from Spain.
American Airlines' weekly flight schedule from Spain to the USA varies by season, with a significant increase in frequency during the summer. Based on recent schedule announcements, American Airlines operates approximately 56 weekly flights from Madrid and Barcelona alone.
American is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance and has a significant joint business agreement with Iberia and British Airways. This partnership allows the airlines to coordinate schedules, share revenue, and offer a more integrated travel experience for passengers travelling between the U.S. and Europe, including seamless connections and coordinated frequent flyer programs.
American Airlines operates a fleet of nearly 1,000 mainline aircraft, making it one of the largest in the world. Its fleet is primarily composed of narrow-body Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 family jets for domestic and short-haul international flights, with a modern wide-body fleet of Boeing 777s and 787 Dreamliners for long-haul routes.
Skytrax Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
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The top airlines flying between Spain and the USA are a mix of Spanish and American carriers. Iberia, Spain's national airline, and U.S. carriers American Airlines and United Airlines are major players, all offering direct and connecting flights from key Spanish hubs like Madrid and Barcelona to major U.S. cities.
Additionally, Air Europa, another Spanish airline, provides direct service on popular routes, further expanding the options for travel between the two countries.
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Flights from Spain to the USA are frequent, with multiple airlines offering daily service on popular routes. Major carriers like Iberia, American Airlines, United, and Delta typically operate daily flights between key hubs such as Madrid (MAD) and Barcelona (BCN) to major U.S. cities like New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), and Chicago (ORD).
While some routes, particularly seasonal ones, may have less frequent service (e.g., 3-4 times a week), the overall trend is toward high frequency to meet strong travel demand, with major airlines often increasing flight capacity during the peak summer travel season.
