In perhaps what might not come as a big surprise, Spanish national flag carrier Iberia has added the Azores to its list of summer 2021 destinations. In a statement released earlier in the week, the Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD)-based carrier says that it is committed to reactivating tourism this summer by offering an ambitious list of leisure destinations.

In April, Iberia launched a social media campaign asking its followers on Facebook and Twitter to pick the airline's 113th summer destination. On the list of choices were the Azores, Bastia, Fez, Ljubljana, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, and Zante. Somewhat surprisingly, when the winner was announced, it was the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana that had won.

Two flights a week from Madrid

The Azores, however, came a close second, which is why starting July 3, 2021, Ponta Delgada in the Azores Islands will become the airline's 114th summer destination. Iberia will offer two non-stop flights per week to João Paulo II Airport (PDL) in Ponta Delgada from Madrid-Barajas Airport on Wednesdays and Saturdays during July and August. All flights between Spain and the Azores will be aboard one of Iberias' 22 Airbus A320 aircraft.

Madrid to Ponta Delgada

Flights will depart MAD on Wednesday at 07:25 and arrive in PDL at 08:50

Flights will depart MAD on Saturday at 11:25 and arrive in PDL at 12:50

Ponta Delgada to Madrid

Flights will depart PDL on Wednesday at 09:40 and arrive in MAD at 15:00

Flights will depart PDL on Saturday at 13:40 and arrive in MAD at 19:00

(Madrid is two hours ahead of the Azores)

About the Azores

Located around halfway between Europe and the United States in the mid-Atlantic, the Azores are nine inhabited volcanic islands. Discovered and settled by the Portuguese in the early 15th century, the Azores offer visitors spectacular scenery, delicious food, and some of the world's best sport fishing.

If you're visiting the Azores for the first time, the best place to stay is on the Island of Sao Miguel, famous for its crater lakes and hot springs. Aside from the island's natural beauty, the Azores capital city Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel is where you will find restaurants and nightlife that the other islands can't match.

Because of its location near the Gulf Stream, the Azores enjoy mild year-round temperatures of between 15°C and 30°C (60°F and 86°F). The best months to visit are between June and August when the weather is warm, and you have less chance of rain. Being one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal, the Azores uses the euro as its currency and does not require a visa for citizens on the European Union.

Iberia is betting big on Portugal

After having imposed one of Europes toughest COVID-19 lockdowns that included closing its land border with Spain, Portugal now has a grip on the pandemic and is deemed a safe country to travel to. With this in mind, Iberia is betting big on its neighbor offering scheduled flights to six cities.

• The Portuguese capital Lisbon will have 22 flights from June to September
• Starting in June, the northern city of Porto will have 11 frequencies a week, increasing to 14 through July to October
• Starting June 2, Funchal on the island of Maderia will see three flights per week, increasing to five flights per week during July and August
• The Portuguese Algarve city of Faro will have three flights per week starting from June 4, increasing to five flights per week from July
• Porto Santo Island will have a weekly charter flight from Lisbon and Porto organized by the Viajes Abreu travel agency
• The Azores will have two flights per week from July 3

What do you think about Iberia flying to the Azores this summer? Please tell us your thoughts in the comments.