IAG Cargo is set to operate Iberia’s first converted A330 ‘preighter’—a wide-body aircraft with all seats removed to make room for cargo in the passenger cabin. 

The new service will commence four times a week between Los Angeles and Madrid and provides much needed capacity ahead of the peak season.

Also read: Kalitta Air gets dibs on ‘Big Twin’ freighter with GECAS Cargo deal 

IAG says the it took the Iberia team just a week to remove the seats on the plane and just a few weeks to fully convert the aircraft.  

With the A330-300 conversion, the aircraft can now carry 200 cubic metres of cargo. Carpeting was reinstalled with lights indicating the 33 cargo positions, and cargo will be held in place with netting fastened to floor rails where the seats were anchored. 

This is the first ‘preighter’ for Iberia’s fleet, although the service is available across other IAG airlines and has been available upon request since March.