Bogota to Milan Iberia Flights

  About Milan

The fashion capital of the world, Milan in Italy is the place to go to if you are a party animal and can't get enough of the fashionable crowd. It's the next best destination to go to after New York and London for an extraordinary holiday. You can put on your fanciest clothes and walk the streets of Milan with a smug look on your face. The city is also popular for the Milan Fashion Week that it hosts quite frequently. It also has some reputed fashion schools that you can check out when you are in Milan. Apart from fashion, Milan is also known as the art capital and is loved for its architecture. It's a place where you can party till wee hours and shop till you drop. Although it is not a tourist destination as popular as Rome, Venice or Florence, it is still a city you must visit even if it is just for a couple of days.

Best Time to Visit Milan

Even though summer is a very popular tourist season in Milan, Spring and Fall are far more pleasant. June to August is summer in Milan, and you will see a lot of tourists in the city during this time. You might want to book your hotel in Milan well in advance if you are visiting in June since this is when the Men's Fashion Week is usually hosted. The flight tickets to Milan can get a tad expensive in summer, and you will also have to carry sunblock and moisturizer in your kit to beat the heat and the humidity. The temperature ranges from 15 to 28 degree Celsius. Since this is peak season and the number of tourists increases, most tourist attractions in the city will be quite crowded. If you are not a huge fan of crowded places, this might not be the right time to plan a visit to Milan. But you might come across a lot of sales at fashion outlets in the city since it is peak season and is also when the fashion week is hosted. But be prepared to wait in long queues at most places that you visit in the city.

Milan welcomes the Spring season in April and May, making it a pleasant time to visit the city. It's right before tourist season kicks in, so the city is already preparing for it. The temperature ranges from 7 to 22 degree Celsius. You might want to carry an extra pair of cardigans or jackets for the chilly evenings, but otherwise, the weather is quite pleasant. Not to mention, you will not have to wait in long queues at the tourist spots. You can peacefully explore the city during this time and head back home right before summer kicks in. September and October is fall, another ideal time to plan a trip to Milan. The temperature ranges from 13 to 18 degree Celsius. Though this is not a high peak season, the women's fashion week begins in September so you will come across quite a few tourists who land in the city just to catch the show. You might also have to book your accommodation and flights to Milan way in advance.

There are chances of showers in October and November so make sure you carry an umbrella if you are travelling to Milan in these months. November to March is winter in Milan. The temperature ranges from 3 to 13 degree Celsius. December to February are the coldest months in the city. While it is not exactly the most popular season to fly to Milan, the Milan Fashion Week for women takes place in February, which invites more tourists in February, too.

Places to Visit in Milan

Since Milan is one of the five fashion capitals of the world with Paris, London and New York, high-end fashion boutiques and shopping is considered to be the most prominent thing to do here. But the city is more than just the fashion capital of the world. Milan Cathedral is not only the largest cathedral in Italy, but it is also the fifth largest one in the world. It is decorated with over 2200 marble statues, and the architecture will take your breath away. The sheer tranquillity of the cathedral along with its marvellous artwork, will stun you. Sforzesco Castle was built in the 14th century and was ideally constructed as a fortress. The Sforzesco Castle is home to a lot of timeless pieces of art. It features Pietà Rondanini, which was Michelangelo's final masterpiece. You will also find Egyptian art on display here. La Scala was designed by architect Giuseppe Piermarini and is one of the best opera houses in the city with red and gold being the prominent colours.

Santa Maria Delle Grazie is another popular tourist attraction in Milan that houses Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper. And we finally get to the best and most memorable part of Milan, the Quadrilatero d'Oro. You will find a lot of exclusive and high-end designer stores here. It's an important place for all fashionistas to head to and comes to life at night. The Piazza Dei Mercanti is another great place to visit at night. You will get a glimpse of the medieval life in Milan at night, and it looks even better and lively during the Christmas holidays. While you are in Milan, make sure you also visit the art galleries here, Pinacoteca di Brera specifically. It is one of the best places for all you art lovers to visit and showcases paintings in more than 40 rooms. You can also explore the streets outside the museum and go shopping for souvenirs at the cute little shops here. Navigli Lombardi is a canal that was constructed in Milan in the 12th century. Boating or cruising at the canal here is a popular tourist activity.

Things to do in Milan

Attending the fashion weeks hosted in Milan is one of the popular activities in the city. Of course, you will have to arrange for the passes, tickets and accommodation well in advance. Not just fashion but it is also the culture, art and history that draws tourists to Milan. Visit the art museums to admire some of the best paintings by skilled, legendary artists in the world. You will come across a lot of artworks by Leonardo da Vinci showcased at museums here. Do also visit the Milan Cathedral, also called Duomo and you will be stunned at the spectacular view and architecture. Head to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for a shopping spree. You can hit the streets and try some delicious Italian food at high-end restaurants or quaint cafes. Apollo Club is a hot and happening vintage-style club that also has a games room for its guests. You can drink and dance till wee hours before you head back to the hotel. If you are not travelling during peak season, you can just take a walk on the streets of Milan and discover the city on your own. A lot of tourists also prefer to hire guides or tour packages to explore Milan.

Food and Restaurants in Milan

You will find lots of kinds of pasta, pizzas, gelato and espressos in Milan. The city has also added its touch to certain cuisine making it a speciality here. The Risotto Alla Milanese is a must-try if you want to blend in. The secret ingredient here is saffron, and it only brings out the wonderful flavour in the risotto. Ossobuco, a veal dish, is a popularly ordered food during winter. Milan is also popular for its cheeses and gin. Panzarotti is one of the most famous places to binge on Italian delicacies. Premiata Cremeria Rossi and Pizzium - Via Vigevano are some other restaurants in the city. If you want to try the street food here, you can head to Tram. You will find a lot of high-end, elite restaurants in Milan and you will also find a lot of cute cafes in the city that are worth visiting. You can blend in both during your trip to Milan for a complete experience.

How to reach Milan (Transportation)

The Malpensa International Airport in Milan is one of the largest airports in Italy. The flight connectivity from Milan to India and other international countries is excellent. Although there are no direct flights to Milan from India, you will have layovers in different cities depending on the airlines that you pick. However, if you are travelling to Milan from any other European country, you can take a train to Milan. Kuwait Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air India, Ethiopian Airlines are frequently flying to Milan from India. There are VIP lounges, restaurants, shopping areas and a lot of other facilities made available to passengers at Milan's airport. You will get a better deal on flights to Milan if you book your trip in advance. You might also get cheap flight tickets to Milan if you are travelling during the offseason. Make sure you also book your hotel in Milan in advance.

  About Iberia Airlines

Iberia, legally incorporated as Iberia, Líneas Aéreas de España, S.A. Operadora, Sociedad Unipersonal, is the national flag carrier of Spain. The airline was founded in 1927 and is recognised as one of the old European airlines prevalent. Based out of Madrid, the airline operates a slew of international routes from its base at Madrid-Barajas Airport. Iberia, along with Iberia Regional (predominantly operated by Air Nostrum, an independent carrier based in Valencia) and Iberia Express, are all part of the International Airlines Group, along with British Airways, Aer Lingus and more. Iberia group of airlines cater to the transportation of passengers as well as freight. Some of the other airline-related activities undertaken by the airline include aircraft maintenance, in-flight catering and airport handlings. Currently, Iberia group of airlines cater to about 109 destinations in the world with an additional 90 destinations that are connected, thanks to their codesharing agreements with a bunch of airlines. It is easily one of the best airlines in Spain.

With capital financing initiated by Horacio Echevarrieta and Deutsche Luft Hansa of a whopping 1.1 million pesetas, Iberia, Compañía Aérea de Transportes was formed in 1927. Flight operations for the same commenced in the same year. The company received government sponsorship the following year as they needed the airline to provide for postal transportation between Barcelona and Madrid. Under the dictatorial rule of President Miguel Primo de Rivera between 1923 to 1930, the operations of the aviation companies were combined to operate as a state-owned and controlled public entity directly. This resulted in the merger of Iberia with Compañía de Líneas Aéreas Subvencionadas S.A. with all its independent activities ceased.

Further, with the Spanish War taking place and the series of political unrest that took over the world, Iberia also played a role in providing air transport to the nation. They deployed many aircraft from their fleet. The airline has witnessed quite a flourishing history and has been a part of a major part it too. Over the years, the airline worked towards expanding their business to connect to many other international routes and further introduce newer routes to enhance its demand in the aviation industry in the European Union.

For a brief period of time, Iberia was privatised in 2001 which led to its name being listed on a handful of stock exchanges. In fact, they also introduced their own low-cost carrier, Clickair, operations of which commenced in 2006. The airline's subsidiary helped strengthen their domestic route connectivity until Vueling Airlines came into the picture to pose as a serious threat. Iberia was part of the Oneworld airline alliance. However, they soon withdrew from the airline alliance. Over the years, Iberia has witnessed several big shareholders from entering in the business and ceasing investment. In 2010, British Airways and Iberia announced that they would be signing an agreement to merge and make for combined operations. Following the merger, Iberia and British Airways became the third largest commercial airline across the globe with respect to revenue. The merger brought forth a new company, popularly known as International Airlines Group (IAG), which was established in 2011. Despite the formation of a new company, British Airways and Iberia continue to work under the original airline brands that they are recognised for.

Fleet size of Iberia

As of 2020, Iberia's fleet size stands at 84 aircraft. It is an all-Airbus fleet which has variants from the European-manufacturer's aircraft family. Part of the airline's fleet is 11 Airbus A319-100s, 14 Airbus A320-200s, six Airbus A320neos, 11 Airbus A321-200s, 12 Airbus A330-200s, eight Airbus A330-300s, 16 Airbus A340-600s and six Airbus A350-900s. They have also made a few orders such as four Airbus A321neos, 12 Airbus A320neos, eight Airbus A321XLR and 14 Airbus A350-900s. As the Airbus A340-600 is all set to retire, they will be replaced with the Airbus A350-900s that have been ordered by Iberia. Although in the past, Iberia did have a mixed fleet which comprised of Boeing aircraft along with Convair 440, de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide, Douglas DC models, Fokker F28 Fellowship, Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, McDonnell Douglass DC-10, Junkers and more. However, they opted to transform their fleet into an all-Airbus to enhance the aircraft's efficiency and better accommodation for in-flight services and cabin classes.

Baggage Allowance

Iberia maintains a baggage allowance policy that is predominantly followed by a majority of global airlines. The checked baggage that the airline accommodates is 23 kg, which can be exceeded the maximum to 32 kg. Depending on the ticket type and cabin class, the passenger will also receive bonus pieces of baggage that can be carried. Beyond 32 kg though, the airline will charge a fee of 60€ per baggage. Passengers travelling from the economy class are allowed to carry one piece of checked baggage. As for full economy and business class passengers, the number of baggage that can be carried for free is two. Business plus class passengers have the best resources as they can carry three pieces of checked baggage with them. While the checked baggage provisions are quite convenient, the airline does expect passengers to be very careful of the dimensions of their baggage. The maximum dimension of checked baggage cannot exceed 158 cm. It is very important for passengers to follow this specific clause as the airline will reject or ask the passenger to send the baggage as cargo.

In-flight services

Iberia's in-flight services are one of the best in the airline industry. Owing to the number of cabin classes, the facilities have also been upgraded. Thanks to their fleet turning all-Airbus, the aircraft has the best amenities such as better seats, excellent seating configuration, more legroom, new in-flight entertainment systems, to name a few. Further, passengers can also enjoy lip-smacking Spanish and global cuisine as it comes with their in-flight meal menu. You will be welcomed with a glass of alcoholic beverage as a smiling flight attendant will help you settle in, ahead of your journey.

Popular routes and top cities for Iberia

Iberia is one of the few airlines in the world to have phenomenal connectivity with South American destinations. The airline boasts a long list of international routes that connect to some of the biggest cities in the South American continent. Following this, Iberia also has a good presence in the European and South American market. Although the airline hasn't explored much of the Asian market yet, they do have a few codeshare agreements with airlines that directly connect with Asian countries. Airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines and Hainan Airlines have codeshare agreements with Iberia. Some of the top cities that Iberia connects with on the international route includes Algiers, Buenos Aires, Vienna, Brussels, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Bogota, San Jose, Dubrovnik, Havana, Prague, Quito, Cairo, Paris, Marseille, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Athens, Budapest, Tel Aviv, Florence, Milan, Rome, Tokyo, Kuwait City, Luxembourg City, Mexico City, Marrakech, Panama City, Oslo, Lisbon, San Juan, Stockholm, Zurich, London, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Montevideo and Caracas. Further, their domestic route is also quite strong with connectivity to about 26 destinations in Spain. These include Asturias, Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada, Madrid, Las Palmas, Palma de Mallorca, Granada and San Sebastian, to name a few.

Why travel by Iberia?

Iberia Airlines has built quite a reputation for itself as one of the top European airlines. With its rich and illustrious history, the airline has triumphed through various challenges and also become the largest airline in Spain. Ever since its merger with British Airways and the formation of International Airlines Group, Iberia's domestic route and international route connectivity has expanded. They are now able to accommodate newer routes and reach to bigger cities and destination across the world. It is not just their route expansions that have enhanced over the years. They have also worked towards bringing the best in-flight services and cater to all the travel needs of customers. Iberia's fleet has also been transformed into a kind that accommodates diverse cabin classes, is well-equipped and is more efficient in terms of fuel and engines.

With a means to make the passenger's travel diaries less cumbersome, the airline has also introduced various online benefits. These include web check-in facilities that can be found on the official website of Iberia. Travellers can book an Iberia flight ticket on their website and find the same in various other travel portals too, thanks to its presence worldwide. The airline has also installed programmes that enable passengers to get an update of their flight status as well as Iberia's flight schedule. This would further help them with their booking. Further, the airline's other perks include the fact that they have put all necessary and important details regarding the flight, the baggage allowance and in-flight services.

The airline also has a bunch of mileage programmes that passengers could consider if they are frequent flyers. Again, details can be found on the airline's official website. Their tie-ups with hotels in a few international destinations would come in handy as gives passengers discounts on their accommodation too.