The airline that started as a brand but never had a plane
In short: For years, Level existed as a low-cost long-haul brand without its own independent operating certificate. While it sold over 147,000 seats in its first month and flew to global hubs like Los Angeles and Buenos Aires, the actual planes were technically owned and operated by other airlines.
Launched by the International Airlines Group (IAG) in 2017, Level was designed as a response to growing competition in the low-cost long-haul market. However, it began its life as a brand rather than an independent carrier. From its inception until December 2024, Level flights were operated by other IAG subsidiaries: Iberia handled the long-haul routes from Barcelona, while OpenSkies managed services from Paris Orly. Even when expansion began in Vienna under 'Level Europe,' it was operated by a separate subsidiary called Anisec Luftfahrt.
The brand's early growth was explosive, with Willie Walsh reporting that 52,000 seats were sold within two days of establishment. Yet, the lack of an independent Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) created a complex operational web. This structure faced significant turbulence during the COVID-19 pandemic. While Level Europe entered insolvency in June 2020 and OpenSkies was shut down in July 2020, the Barcelona-based flights operated by Iberia remained unaffected, highlighting how the brand's stability depended on which partner airline was providing the hardware.
A major shift occurred in late 2023 when IAG announced Level would finally receive its own AOC. The airline officially obtained this certificate in December 2024, allowing it to operate independently for the first time. To meet EU ownership requirements, Iberia assumed a 50.1% stake in March 2025. Looking ahead, the fleet is transitioning from older Airbus A330-200s toward a mix of Boeing 787-10s and Airbus A330-900s, with IAG allocating 21 firm orders and 13 options for the latter to Level as part of a massive multi-airline aircraft order.
Today, Level is headquartered in Viladecans, Spain. It has evolved from a marketing layer over existing fleets into a standalone entity with its own identity, moving toward a future where it controls both the brand and the physical aircraft that carry its passengers.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Level (airline)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/places-level-airline.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Cities · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics
