As we are busy preparing for Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) and the arrival of Santa Claus, Spanish national flag carrier Iberia has announced some special treats for customers this holiday season. In a statement issued yesterday, the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)-based airline said that passengers would notice special holiday touches at the airport and while onboard.

Iberia says that throughout 2021 it has been committed to rebuilding its network both in Spain and abroad to help keep people connected. Iberia says that it will help facilitate reunions with loved ones and build bridges to connect customers during the Christmas holidays.

Iberia aircraft will have special Christmas headrests

As passengers pass through Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), they will notice that all the check-in desks and information screens are sporting a unique Christmas motif. While onboard Iberia aircraft, passengers will see that various elements of the cabin have been decorated, including headrests with the message:

"For a Christmas full of reunions, Merry Christmas ."

To help make the holidays special for the little ones, all children flying with Iberia over the holidays will receive a toy. Iberia's premium lounges in Madrid Airports Terminal 4 have been decorated in the Christmas spirit, and the chefs are hard at work putting together a traditional Spanish Christmas menu.

Special Christmas menu

One of the menu highlights is oven-roasted turkey accompanied by a plum and raisin sauce, with potato pie, broccolini, grilled artichokes, and roasted cherry tomato as a garnish.

For a sweet dish, customers can have a chocolate brownie with salty toffee and nuts or a nougat mousse. There will also be a selection of traditional Spanish desserts such as soft almond nougat and polvorones.

While onboard the aircraft, the inflight menu will also be Christmas-themed delights such as traditional roast turkey with cranberry sauce accompanied by a garnish of potatoes and green asparagus. Passengers will also be able to choose from a selection of wines from some of Spain's best-known wineries.

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New Year's Eve celebrations

Many Spaniards celebrate New Year's Eve by eating 12 grapes as the clock in the Puerta del Sol strikes midnight. The grapes are eaten to bring good health and prosperity in the coming year. Following this, the corks on the cava bottles pop to toast the event.

To celebrate the arrival of the New Year, all Iberia transatlantic flights that are in the air at midnight on December 31 will serve passengers 12 grapes and a glass of cava.

Unlike many other western countries, the big day for children in Spain is January 6. Spanish children receive their main Christmas presents to celebrate the Three King's arrival and their gifts for the baby Jesus.

They also celebrate the day with a round crown-shaped cake adorned with colorful dried fruit to resemble gems. Called a Roscones de Reyes, the cake contains a tiny figurine hidden inside. Whoever finds it gets to wear a paper crown during dinner but must also provide the cake for the following year's celebrations. Rather than hiding a figurine in the cake, Iberia has hidden 80 prizes worth around 230,000 Avios.

The Avios will only be hidden in cakes on flights that take off from Madrid and are on offers in all classes of service. As a special treat for small children, you can sign up to receive a special video message from the Three King's by visiting www.reyesmagos.iberia.com.