Iberia has today announced that it is restoring its full in-flight meal service while implementing comprehensive safety measures. The food will focus on Mediterranean dishes using quality ingredients. The airline is also reopening its premium lounge in Madrid Airport’s T4, which will offer all-new gourmet cuisine.

Iberia’s new in-flight catering service

Today, Iberia announced the resumption of its in-flight dining service to ensure its passengers have a great flying experience. The Spanish flag carrier has teamed up with a new catering company, DO&CO, which it says will adhere to the “strictest health and safety protocols” to ensure maximum hygiene and safety for its customers.

The new menu features Mediterranean cuisine and focuses where possible on using local and seasonal ingredients. The food’s exquisite presentation is enhanced with new linen and tableware on all USA flights. This equipment will then be gradually rolled out for all other destinations.

Stay informed: Sign up for our daily aviation news digest.

Long-haul flights

On long-haul Iberia flights, business class passengers will be served a meal that includes a cold starter, followed by a choice of three hot dishes, including a vegetarian option, a dessert, and a Spanish cheese plate. Depending on the destination and time of day, there will be a second service before landing. This will be either a breakfast or afternoon snack. An additional service between meals will be offered on the longest flights, with salads, fruit, and snacks.

Economy passengers can choose from two hot dishes and a dessert. The breakfast or afternoon snack second service is accompanied by a selection of hot drinks and juices. The additional service on longer flights will offer tapas boxes, sandwiches, snacks, juices, and water.

Business class short and medium-haul flights

Business-class passengers on short- and medium-haul services departing before 10:30 will be offered a hot breakfast with croissants, fruit, yogurt, tea, coffee, and fruit juice. On longer routes, a plate of cold cuts and cheese is included.

On flights within Spain or between Spain and Portugal after 10:30, a gourmet cold snack and main meal are offered along with fresh fruit. Flights of more than one and a half hours leaving after 10:30, business-class passengers are offered a hot lunch or dinner followed by dessert. An additional appetizer of cheese is included.

For economy-class passengers on medium-haul flights with a duration of over four and a half hours, Iberia is introducing a choice of wraps with a sweet treat and hot and cold drinks.

Premium Lounge Dalí

Iberia has also reopened the Premium Lounge Dalí in its T4 hub at Madrid-Barajas Airport. Rigorous protocols have been implemented for the safety of customers and staff. These include reduced seating capacity, barriers, separated traffic flows, enhanced cleaning and disinfection routines, and the deployment of hand sanitizer dispensers.

The new gourmet menu featuring hot and cold dishes changes throughout the day. The food will be served in individual portions or containers from two large food islands. Four tea and coffee corners are also available.

To help stop the spread of the coronavirus during the pandemic, airlines either stopped or greatly reduced in-flight services, and airport lounges were closed. Now, with improvements to airlines’ cleaning protocols and superior hygiene, we can once again begin enjoying food service as part of the flight experience.

What do you think of Iberia's resumption of in-flight meals?