Iberia Airlines is the national carrier airline of Spain, which was founded in 1927. It is officially known as Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España and operates both domestic and international flights to countries all across the world. Iberia Airlines is part of the International Consolidated Airlines Group, an Irish, British, and Spanish conglomerate.
The visual identity of the airline in the form of its logo has undergone many changes since its inception. The logo represents the key attributes of the airline, that is, stability, quality, and safety. The article traces the evolution of the Iberia Airlines logo over the years.
The Genesis of the Iberia Airlines Logo (1927–1939)
When Iberia took to the skies for the first time in 1927, its debut logo was very concise. It consisted of only the word “Iberia” written in a legible sans-serif typeface and in black capital letters. The focus was on readability, with a minimalist approach to the brand name.
(1939–1941)
During this period, Iberia Airlines began to use a yellow winged symbol that directly reflected its aviation business. The logo incorporated a visual element to complement the text. At the centre of the logo was a roundel with a Spanish flag. And alongside the roundel were two stylized wings spread on either side. Inside the roundel, the brand name “Iberia” was written in an arched style and was placed under the flag.
(1941–1954)
In 1941, the designers changed the logo again, with the brand name rendered in bright red lowercase letters that resembled a handwritten text. This version, placed a little diagonally, had a more personal and approachable feel compared to the previous iterations. Interestingly, the final letter “a” had a protruding tail that appeared like an underline to the wordmark.
(1954–1963)
This era marked the introduction of the blue-and-black globe symbol to represent the corporate identity of Iberia Airline. The globe was located to the left of the word “Iberia” and symbolised the global reach and connectivity of the airline. The globe was enveloped by a ribbon protruding from the letter “I” of the brand name, written in a custom bold red colour with a black outline. Below the logo was written the tagline “Líneas Aéreas de España” in capitals and in a black sans-serif typeface.
(1963–1967)
After the logo redesign in 1963, the logo received a large uppercase font, a slightly flattened globe, and a ribbon in Spanish colours (yellow and red) enveloping the globe. The addition of the ribbon added a sense of elegance and prestige to the brand. The globe symbol was positioned above the brand name and the tagline. Here, the brand name was rendered in solid red with uppercase letters and a slanted sans-serif typeface. The tagline, too, was slanted and enlarged in size compared to the previous iteration.
(1967–1977)
In 1967, the logo featured an abbreviated version of the airline’s name, “IB,” in red, set against the yellow background of a globe with a thick yellow outline. This simplified version emphasised the initials of the brand and maintained the globe symbol. Above the bold letters “IB,” there was a thin horizontal line in black, forming the silhouette of a plane in flight.
(1977–1992)
During this period, the designers removed the globe and enlarged the “IB” symbol. And underneath the symbol was placed the full name “Iberia” in italicised red capitals and the tagline in italicised yellow. Here, the focus shifted to the initials “IB” as the primary visual identifier. Additionally, there was a yellow crown placed on the top segment of the letter “I.”
(1992–2013)
The verbal and graphic signs changed places in this version, with the full name “IBERIA” in red and an italicised sans-serif typeface becoming the main design, and the abbreviated “IB” version moved to the end. This change emphasised the complete name of the airline and allowed for a more prominent display of its visual identity.
(2013–Present)
The modern emblem of Iberia was introduced in 2013 and is minimalist in design. Here, the word “Iberia” is written in a simple, thin typeface, with the “IB” symbol depicted as two leaf-like strokes to the right. This contemporary logo reflects the airline’s commitment to quality, stability, and safety.
The Elements of the Iberia Airlines Logo
Font
The distinctive uppercase wordmark of the airline features a bespoke, contemporary typeface. While it may draw inspiration from fonts like Makro XM Extra Bold, Ansage Semi Bold XP, or Nuber Next Heavy Extended, the design has been uniquely tailored with modified, arched, and softened lines.
Colour
The colour scheme of the logo combines deep red and yellow hues to create a striking and memorable visual identity. Resembling the colours of the Spanish flag, this palette conveys strength, resolve, and a forward-thinking attitude. It ensures the brand stands out in the competitive aviation industry.
The History of Iberia Airlines
Iberia Airlines was established on June 28, 1927, through a collaboration between financier Horacio Echeberrieta and the German airline Lufthansa. The inaugural flight of the airline took place six months later and initially focused on delivering postal services between Madrid and Barcelona. In 1944, Iberia was nationalized. The first post-war passenger flight of the airline, from Madrid to Buenos Aires, took place in 1946. Moreover, the airline saw a significant increase in transatlantic flights following the removal of visa requirements for U.S. citizens.
Iberia celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1977 by surpassing 10 million passengers for the first time. The company was privatised in 2001, and by 2002, it had served a cumulative total of 500 million passengers. Since 1999, Iberia has been a member of the Oneworld airline alliance. As part of the Iberia Group, the company provides passenger and cargo air transport services, as well as aircraft maintenance.
Currently, Iberia Airlines serves 115 cities across 39 countries. The codeshare agreements with other airlines have helped the airline extend its reach to an additional 90 destinations. The airline’s fleet comprises over 80 aircraft, including state-of-the-art Airbus A350s. The Iberia Group operates more than 140 aircraft in total. Recognised as one of Europe’s most reliable airlines, Iberia was awarded for being the most punctual airline in the world in 2016.
Interesting Facts About Iberia Airlines
- It is the national airline of Spain and is based in Madrid.
- First European airline to fly to Central America in 1974.
- Entered into a partnership with British Airways in 2011 to create a bigger group of airlines called IAG.
- It is a member of the global OneWorld Alliance and connects more than 1000 destinations all across the world.
- The airline’s loyalty programme for frequent flyers is called Iberia Plus.
- The airline uses advanced technology, such as facial recognition, to facilitate boarding.
- The airline has won several awards for its quality, in-flight experience, and service.
- It operates a low-cost budget airline called Iberia Express. It provides short- and medium-haul flights within Europe.
- The airline has partnerships with other airlines to enable better flexibility for travel itineraries.
- The airline has invested in more fuel-efficient aircraft to reduce its carbon impact.
- The airline offers in-flight entertainment options, such as games, movies, and music.
- The airline has a strong presence in South America due to its strategic partnerships and historical ties.
- The airline has a full-fledged cargo division.
- The airline offers several travel services, namely hotel bookings, car rentals, and travel insurance.
- The airline supports arts, education, and sustainable development initiatives.
Finally
Over its 90+ year history, the Iberia logo has evolved from a simple text-based design to a more complex symbol that incorporates global elements and eventually returned to a minimalist approach. The visual identity of the brand has adapted to reflect the changing times. Besides, the airline is committed to its Spanish roots and aviation heritage.