Icelandair
Iceland's flag carrier and the main gateway to Keflavik. Known for the stopover programme, the Saga Premium cabin, and a network that quietly connects Europe and North America through Reykjavik.
Cabin Classes
What You Get on Icelandair
Icelandair runs three cabin products. Economy Light is the base fare - hand luggage only, no flexibility, and you'll pay for everything. Economy Comfort adds a checked bag, seat selection, and a meal. Saga Premium is their business class - a wider seat in a 2-2 configuration, lounge access at KEF, and a proper meal service.
Economy Light
Pitch
31"
Config
3-3
Meal
Buy on board
Baggage
Hand only
The base fare. Fine for 3 hours if you pack light.
Economy Comfort
Pitch
32"
Config
3-3
Meal
Included
Baggage
1 x 23kg
The sweet spot for most travellers. Meal and bag included.
Saga Premium
ReviewedPitch
40"
Config
2-2
Meal
Full service
Baggage
2 x 32kg
Wider seat, lounge access, decent food. Not lie-flat.
Stopover Programme
The Iceland Stopover
Icelandair's stopover programme is genuinely one of the best deals in aviation. On any transatlantic route through Keflavik, you can stop in Iceland for up to seven nights at no extra airfare. You still pay for accommodation and activities, but the flight pricing treats it as a connection rather than two separate tickets.
This is how I'd recommend first-timers visit Iceland: book a transatlantic flight that routes through KEF, add a three or four night stopover, rent a car, and drive the Golden Circle and south coast. You get Iceland without paying for a dedicated round trip.
Route Network
Where Icelandair Flies
Icelandair connects around 50 destinations through its Keflavik hub. European routes cover most major cities including London (LHR), Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Berlin, and several Nordic capitals. North American routes include New York (JFK), Boston, Washington, Toronto, Seattle, and Denver. All routes transit through KEF, making the stopover programme possible on every connection.
Icelandair route map - all routes via Keflavik
Booking Tips
How to Get the Best Deal
Icelandair's fare structure has three Economy tiers (Light, Standard, Comfort) plus Saga Premium. Light is hand-luggage only and non-refundable - fine if you're sure of your dates and pack small. Comfort adds a checked bag and is usually £30-50 more, which is almost always worth it.
For Saga Premium, the Class Up bidding system is the way in. Book Economy, then bid the minimum for an upgrade. I've been successful about half the time. Bids open a few weeks before departure and you'll hear back within days. If accepted, you get the full Saga experience including the Keflavik lounge.
Price-wise, Icelandair is mid-range. They're rarely the cheapest option from the UK (Play and Wizz undercut them on base fares) but the overall experience, the stopover option, and the lounge access on Saga make them the better value proposition for most travellers.