A Catalonian-themed VIP inauguration was held in Miami this past Wednesday, March 30, to mark Iberia Airlines’ first ever direct flight from Miami to Barcelona. Spain’s number one airline will begin to offer three direct flights per week from Miami International Airport, a breakthrough for the international travel and tourism industry. Attendees at the ceremony included Mayor Tomas Regalado, Emmy Award-winning journalist Marian de la Fuente, and top Iberia executives Manuel Lopez Aguilar, Executive VP Commercial and Clients, and Jose Maria Alvarado, Country Manager for Iberia USA and Canada.

The event, which was held at Mandarin Oriental hotel in downtown Miami, featured Catalonian-themed food and entertainment, complete with signature Catalan dishes prepared by Michelin Star award-winning Chef Carles Gaig and world renowned Chef Nandu Jubany, and signature cocktails prepared by Portuguese Master Bartender and Mixologist, Paulo Ramos. In addition to providing nonstop flights from Miami to Barcelona, the airline has also recently begun offering nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Madrid three days a week, another first that was started by Iberia.

The 254-seat airplane that will be transporting people from Miami to Spain will have a 36-seat Business Plus section that was newly renovated to ensure each passenger can comfortably lounge in a spacious seat that unfolds into a bed. As an incentive to passengers, Iberia is awarding triple frequent flyer points for tickets purchased through their website at www.Iberia.com now through May 31.

To view more photos from this event, visit Haute Living’s Event Gallery.

Like Haute Living South Florida? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @HauteLivingFL. Want Haute Living South Florida delivered to your inbox once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.