Iberia compensation: how to claim
Iberia is registered in Spain, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Registered in
- Spain (EU carrier)
- Main bases
- Madrid (MAD)
- Typical first response
- About 45 days
- Time limit where it is based
- 5 years (Spain)
Iberia is registered in Spain, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Arriving in the EU from outside Europe: covered by EU261, because Iberia is an EU carrier.
- Arriving in the UK from outside Europe: covered by UK261, which also protects arrivals on EU carriers.
How Iberia handles claims
Spain allows five years to bring a claim, and AESA — the Spanish aviation safety agency — is unusually willing to issue a formal opinion on individual passenger complaints. That opinion carries weight if the matter goes further.
Madrid is the main European hub for Latin America, so Iberia claims are frequently missed connections on long-haul itineraries where the €600 band applies.
Iberia and Iberia Express are different operating carriers. Check which one is on your booking before you address the letter.
Their first response is often a form letter. AESA’s complaint route is the practical next step.
What a delay on Iberia is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid (MAD) → Paris (CDG) | 1,064 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Madrid (MAD) → Barcelona (BCN) | 483 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Madrid (MAD) → Rome (FCO) | 1,330 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Madrid (MAD) → Amsterdam (AMS) | 1,461 km | EU261 | €250 |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from Iberia, by what happened
- Iberia: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- Iberia: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- Iberia: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- Iberia: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your Iberia flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to Iberia yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
Iberia: common questions
How much compensation can I get from Iberia?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. Iberia is registered in Spain, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
Does Iberia have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against Iberia?
In Spain, where Iberia is based, the limit is 5 years, counted from the date of the flight. You can usually also claim where your flight departed or arrived, which may give you longer — for example six years in England and Wales.
Where do I send a claim to Iberia?
Iberia takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España S.A., Servicio de Atención al Cliente, Calle Martínez Villergas 49, 28027 Madrid, Spain. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old Iberia flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.