Fuente: Iberia

  • It received the “Gold Award for Best Cabin Interior Concept” for the A321XLR and the award for “Best Short-Haul Economy Meal” at the Onboard Hospitality Award.
  • And at the Pax International Awards, it won the award for “Best In-Flight Food Service 2025” for the second consecutive year

Iberia won three of the most prestigious international awards for its onboard service at the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo, which is held this week in Hamburg, Germany.

For the second consecutive year, the airline won the award for “Best Onboard Service in Europe 2025” at the PAX International Awards, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to providing the best in-flight dining to all customers. It also won two other accolades at the Onboard Hospitality Awards: “Gold Prize for Best Cabin Interior Concept” for the A321XLR and “Best Short-Haul Economy Meal” for its cuttlefish and shrimp rice dish.

Onboard Hospitality Awards

Iberia won two of the most important international awards at the Onboard Hospitality Awards. These recognise excellence and innovation in onboard service and are organised annually by Onboard Hospitality magazine.

Specifically, the airline won the Gold Award for Best Cabin Interior Concept for the A321XLR, which Iberia launched globally last November. The jury praised “the concept of this new cabin, which integrates sustainability, comfort, technology, and exceptional service in an aircraft that represents a transformative step and strengthens its long-haul network.”

Paula Lafora, Iberia’s Director of Customer Experience, said, “Receiving these awards highlights our ongoing commitment to customer service. In November 2024, we were the first airline in the world to operate the A321XLR, a new narrow-body aircraft model with the range to perform transoceanic flights. Creating the best onboard experience for our customers was a real challenge, and this award recognises the tremendous work done by all the airline’s teams to make it possible.”

The second award went to Best Short-Range Economy Meal for the creamy cuttlefish and shrimp rice dish created by DO&CO, which airline customers can enjoy through the gastrobar service.

“We are extremely proud of the recognition of the quality of our meals, which are based on the rich, globally acclaimed Spanish cuisine,” Lafora added.

These awards are voted for by Onboard Hospitality magazine readers and judged in person by a panel of distinguished industry experts.

Award for Best Onboard Service in Europe 2025

Like last year, Iberia won the award for “Best Onboard Service in Europe 2025” at the PAX International Awards, the annual awards organised by the specialised magazine PAX International, which recognise excellence in the air services industry, including categories such as in-flight meals, catering, in-flight entertainment and cabin innovation, among others.

The magazine’s readers, including 15,500 aviation industry professionals, are responsible for voting for and choosing the best in-flight service offered by an airline. In the award given to Iberia, the jury took into account the high quality of the raw materials used in the airline’s menus, which focus on Spanish cuisine with local and seasonal ingredients. Since 2020, DO&CO has been Iberia’s catering provider for both ground and lounge services and onboard services.

“The PAX International Awards are an excellent platform to recognise the dedication and innovation that drive the industry forward,” said Aijaz Khan, editor of PAX International. “From catering and technology to onboard services, these awards highlight advancements that enhance the passenger experience.”

“We are also very proud that the quality of our food and service on board has been recognised by PAX International for the second consecutive year. It would not be possible for Iberia to win these awards without the collaboration of all the teams involved, which are many, and, of course, all the passengers who choose to fly with Iberia,” Lafora added.