Following Spain's decision to allow fully vaccinated tourists to enter the country from June 7, Spanish flag carrier Iberia is restoring its United States network. Before the COVID-19 pandemic raised its ugly head in Europe last spring, Spain had the distinction of being the world's second most visited country.As the number of COVID-19 cases continued to pile up, Spain, like other countries worldwide, went into lockdown, only allowing people to travel for essential reasons. Due to the virus, tourism in Spain plunged by 80%, leaving the countries hotels, beaches, and attractions almost deserted.

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Spain is opening back up

Spain was one of the worst-hit countries in Europe, with 3.6 million cases and 78,000 deaths due to COVID-19. As Spain continues to vaccinate its population, the number of COVID-19 cases has declined rapidly, allowing regions to scrap curfews and restrictions.

Before the pandemic, tourism in Spain accounted for 12% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and was responsible for 2.6 million jobs. Now Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hopes that the return of tourists will be the key driver of Spain's post-COVID-19 recovery.

When speaking to reporters at the recent Madrid FITUR international tourism trade fair newswire service Reuters quotes Sanchez saying when asked about allowing vaccinated tourists to visit:

"They're welcome - more than welcome - without restrictions nor health controls."

Americans are welcome in Spain from June 7

With fully vaccinated American tourists allowed to visit Spain from June 7, Iberia is increasing its number of flights between Spain and the United States. Up until now, Iberia only offered daily flights to New York and Miami, but starting from today, Chicago will be added to the network. The reach of Iberia will expand even further next month, with the airline flying to Boston and Los Angeles from July 1.

The airline's schedule for the summer to the US looks as follows:

• Daily flight from Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
• Daily flight from Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) to Miami International Airport (MIA).
• Three flights a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) from June 1, 2021. During July and August, there will be an additional flight on a Sunday.
• Three flights a week from Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) starting from June 30, 2021.
• Three flights a week from Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) starting from June 30, 2021.

Iberia is offering cheap fares

To mark the increase in flights and appeal to tourists heading both ways across the Atlantic, Iberia offers each-way fares for less than 300€ ($366). On its flight between the United States and Spain, Iberia uses two types of aircraft a two-class configured 278 seat Airbus A330-300 and a three-class configured Airbus A350-900.

While other parts of Europe are still under some restrictions, Spain, for the most part, is fully open and eager to welcome back tourists. Bars and restaurants are getting back to how they were pre-COVID-19, and Spain's wonderful beaches are clean and inviting.

Are you planning on visiting Spain this summer? If so, please tell us what you are looking forward to the most in the comments.

**In its statement regarding the restoration of its United States network, Iberia failed to say what days the Boston and Los Angeles flights will be on. Simple Flying has reached out to them and will add the days to this post once we have confirmation.**