A Perfect Fit Iberia's DC-10s

摘要

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 would be the backbone of Iberia's long-haul network during the 1970s and 1980s, especially to the Caribbean and South America, when many of these routes were still a succession of stops serving a multitude of destinations.Being the second widebody aircraft introduced by Iberia, the DC-10 was somewhat overshadowed by the earlier arrival of the Boeing 747. Iberia had deposited funds to be a launch customer for the supersonic Boeing 2707 (SST) aircraft. However, with that project delayed (and finally cancelled), when Boeing gave its 747 the green light in 1967, the Spanish company decided to acquire two examples of the -100 series. A third 747 - a -200B -would be ordered in 1968. The first of these arrived in December 1970, entering service on the carrier's most prestigious route -Madrid to New York. These initial aircraftwere configured for 370 passengers, 32 in First Class and 338 in Economy Class.