Iberia (Madrid) and Airbus (Toulouse) have reached an agreement over the early delivery of the A330-200s the airline ordered last year, which will now join the long-haul fleet 14 months earlier than initially planned, between December 2015, and November 2016.

The new aircraft will replace the older Airbus A340-300s.

The new twin-engine, wide-bodied aircraft, with a range of up to 13,400 km, consumes less fuel than the four-engine A340-300s they replace, and also generate less noise and air pollution.

The earlier delivery dates also speed the upgrading of Iberia’s entire long-haul fleet with the new cabins, fittings, and entertainment and communications systems, for an improved customer experience.

Iberia is currently renewing its long-haul fleet and also its long-haul cabins. In recent years the IAG parent has ordered 24 new long-haul aircraft for Iberia, the eight A330-300s delivered in 2013 and 2014; the eight A330-200s; and eight A350-900s to be delivered later.

Meanwhile, the company is retrofitting its 17 Airbus A340-600s with new long-haul cabins.

Image: Iberia. The first new Airbus A330-200 for Iberia will now arrive in December 2015.

Iberia aircraft slide show: