Iberia flew one of its Airbus A350 aircraft to Australia on Friday, carrying family, friends and sponsors of Spain's women's national football team to attend the FIFA Women's World Cup. The aircraft departed from the airline's hub in Madrid and arrived in Sydney after a journey of more than 20 hours, with a stop in Doha.

The plane's arrival reportedly marks the first time the carrier had operated a flight to Sydney in a few years. Iberia does not offer regular service from Madrid to Sydney but did so as the game is crucial for the team.

Accompanying the players

The special flight was operated by EC-NIS, as IB2812, allowing friends and family of the players to join them in support, according to the airline.

“And, so that family, friends and team sponsors can cheer on and accompany the players in this decisive match against England, Iberia today operates a charter IB2812 Madrid-Doha-Sydney, which has just taken off from Adolfo Suárez - Madrid Barajas Airport. The coach of the Spanish Men's Soccer Team, Luis de la Fuente, has joined this expedition.”

Flight details

EC-NIS departed from Madrid on Friday at 12:00, according to data from Flightradar24.com. At a cruising altitude of 39,000 feet, the A350 flew for nearly seven hours to Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha for a stopover. The plane arrived at 19:58 and sat on the ground for about two hours.

Photo: Iberia

At around 22:00, EC-NIS took off from DOH and flew the much longer portion of its journey. In the first two hours of the almost 14-hour flight, the aircraft flew at 37,000 feet for its cruise. It then climbed to 39,000 feet and remained at that level for another two hours, according to Flightradar24.com. For the rest of the flight, the jet cruised at 40,000 feet and then reached near its service ceiling of 41,000 feet. At 19:07 AEST on Saturday, EC-NIS landed at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD).

According to freelance aviation reporter Richard Schuurman, the jet's arrival at SYD was the first time Iberia had been at the airport in four years.

A special aircraft for a special occasion

More than 100 people were onboard the aircraft, which was also the perfect jet for the occasion since it is named Talento a Bordo, a tribute to the Spanish women's football team.

"The company has programmed for this flight on which 130 passengers are traveling today, its most advanced and sustainable aircraft, the Airbus A350 and, specifically, the one with the registration EC-NIS and the name Talento a Bordo, in homage to the Selection Spanish Women's Soccer," the airline said.

Talent on Board is also the name of Iberia's sponsorship project to integrate the Royal Spanish Football Federation, which includes the travel responsibilities of the men's and women's teams until 2026.

The airline said EC-NIS will depart from Sydney on Sunday after the match and expects it to arrive in Spain on Monday.

"After Sunday's game, this same plane will return to Spain with 250 passengers, including the players and the entire team of the Spanish Women's Soccer Team, and it will cover the same route [...]: Sydney-Doha-Madrid, with arrival Monday to our country," the carrier explained.

Source: Flightradar24.com