Best Airlines That Fly to Iceland in 2026

Quick Picks:

• Best overall network: Icelandair

• Best budget option (Europe): Wizz Air (if traveling with a small bag only)

• Best US full-service options: Delta, United, American (often seasonal)

• New for summer 2026: Alaska Airlines (Seattle), Air Transat (Montreal)

• Main arrival airport: Keflavík International Airport (KEF)

Flight routes to Iceland can change with the season, so it’s always worth checking the current schedule before you book. This guide compares the main airlines flying to Iceland, where they depart from, and what to consider before choosing.

The following are examples of strong airline options, not guarantees of year-round service. Some are direct routes, while others are one-stop options through major hubs.

Your choice comes down to where you're flying from and when. From North America, Icelandair and Delta offer the most direct flights to Iceland year-round. From Europe, the options are wider in summer but thin out in winter. Budget carriers like Wizz Air cover shorter European routes but typically don't include checked bags. If you're flexible with dates, midweek departures and shoulder-season fares can significantly reduce the price.

A direct flight to Iceland from the US or Canada is usually worth it if your Iceland trip is short, you’re arriving late, or you want the least complicated travel day. Icelandair has the broadest nonstop coverage to Keflavík from North America, while other carriers add selected routes, many of them seasonal rather than year-round.

Starting in summer 2026, Alaska Airlines adds a new daily nonstop from Seattle, and Air Transat launches twice-weekly service from Montreal. That means the best option is not just “whatever is direct,” but the flight that still works once you compare baggage rules, arrival time, and the months it operates. 

Best for: Travelers on shorter trips, families, first-time visitors, and anyone who would rather pay a bit more to avoid a connection, a missed bag, or an extra airport stop.

Typical strengths:

• Saves the most time on 4 to 6 day trips, where losing half a day to a connection matters

• Lowers the risk of missed onward flights or delayed bags before you even reach Iceland

• Makes late-night or early-morning arrivals easier to manage, especially if you’re picking up a rental car in Iceland or heading straight to Reykjavík

Good to know:

• The widest choice of direct routes usually appears in summer

• From Canada, current nonstop options include Toronto and Vancouver year-round on Icelandair, plus Montreal on Air Transat starting summer 2026. More Canadian service typically appears in peak season.

• Always compare the real fare, not the lead-in fare. A slightly cheaper ticket can stop being a deal once you add a checked bag, seat selection, or a bad arrival time

Example routes: JFK–KEF, BOS–KEF, ORD–KEF, MSP–KEF.

To check what’s currently running from your city, use the KEF route map on FlightConnections.

From Europe and the UK, direct flights to Iceland are often easy to find from major cities, but the best-value option depends on how you travel. Icelandair gives you one of the broadest direct networks into Keflavík, while lower-cost carriers such as Wizz Air, easyJet, and Transavia can work well if you are traveling light and staying flexible on dates.

British Airways also serves Keflavík from London, offering a full-service alternative on a familiar carrier. If a direct fare is only slightly higher than a hub connection, choose it to save time both ways. 

Best for: Travelers booking a short Iceland break, leaving from a major European city, or anyone who wants to keep the journey short without turning a 3 to 4-hour flight into an all-day travel plan.

Typical strengths:

• Plenty of departures from major UK and European cities, especially in peak travel months 

• Better value on short trips, where a connection can waste a big share of your travel time  

• Budget options can be convenient if you are flying with only a small bag and do not care much about seat choice 

• Hub connections should still be considered when your home airport has no direct service or the timings are poor

Good to know:

• Summer usually brings the widest choice of direct routes, while some services are less frequent or seasonal outside peak months 

• Icelandair currently serves multiple UK airports, including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, so “London” is not precise enough when you are comparing flights

• British Airways also flies to Keflavík from London, and easyJet operates routes from select UK airports, so UK travelers have several carriers to compare beyond Icelandair and Wizz Air

• Wizz Air’s Iceland service is most attractive when you are flexible and packing light, because its lowest fares are built around a stripped-down base ticket rather than bundled extras  

• Check the final price before booking. On low-cost fares, cabin bags, checked baggage, seat selection, and airport choice can change the deal completely

Budget airlines are only the cheapest option if you are traveling light and can live without extras. The base fare can look appealing at first, but the savings often shrink once you add a cabin bag, a checked bag, seat selection, or priority boarding. Check the route first, then compare the final price on the airline’s site before you assume the low-cost option is the better deal. 

Best for: Travelers with flexible dates, short trips, and one small bag who care more about price than seat choice, bundled baggage, or onboard extras. 

Typical strengths: 

• Lowest starting fares on some Europe–Iceland routes  

• Best value when you can travel with only a small bag  

• More useful for travelers who can shift dates to catch the cheapest departures 

Good to know: 

• A budget fare often stops being a bargain once you add both a cabin bag and a checked bag  

• Seat selection and priority boarding matter more if you are traveling as a group and want to sit together  

• Some low-cost routes are seasonal or operate only on certain days, so the cheapest fare may not line up with your trip

Example routes: LGW–KEF, LTN–KEF, AMS–KEF, BVA–KEF.

Premium cabins are worth considering if you care about space, rest, and a less tiring travel day more than the lowest fare. For an Iceland trip, that usually matters most on overnight flights, longer journeys from North America, or itineraries where you want to arrive in better shape for a drive, a tour, or a same-day transfer.  

Best for: Travelers on overnight or long-haul flights, travelers celebrating a special trip, and anyone who wants more space and fewer airport hassles built into the fare. 

Typical strengths: 

• More personal space and a better chance of arriving rested  

• Priority check-in, boarding, and sometimes lounge access, depending on the fare  

• More inclusions, such as baggage allowances or flexible change terms, on some premium tickets 

Good to know: 

• Premium cabins are not the same across every route or aircraft, so check the seat layout before booking  

• Lounge access is not automatic on every premium fare, especially on shorter routes  

• The value is usually strongest when the flight is long enough for the extra space and service to matter

Example routes: JFK–KEF, BOS–KEF, FRA–KEF, CDG–KEF.

Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is Iceland’s main international gateway, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 50 km (~31 miles) from central Reykjavík. 

If you’re looking up airlines that fly to Iceland, KEF’s official list is the best place to start. After that, check the airline’s own website for your dates, because some routes are seasonal and some do not operate every day. Below are some of the main airlines travelers are most likely to compare when flying to Iceland.

Icelandair is Iceland’s flagship airline and the country’s best-known international carrier. It connects Iceland with major cities in North America and Europe through Keflavík.

Best for: Travelers who want direct transatlantic flights, especially if they’d like to turn Iceland into a stopover rather than a layover.

Good to know: 

• Icelandair’s Stopover program lets you add time in Iceland on a transatlantic trip without extra airfare, subject to fare rules. If you decide to use the stopover option, it's easiest to build it into your booking from the start. For ideas on how to make the most of a short stay, see our layover in Iceland guide.

• Look up Icelandair’s schedule tools before booking, especially if you’re comparing multiple city pairs.

Typical routes (examples): JFK–KEF, BOS–KEF, ORD–KEF, LHR–KEF, CPH–KEF, OSL–KEF.

Wizz Air is a Hungarian ultra-low-cost airline with select routes between Iceland and Europe. It can be a good fit for travelers aiming to keep the base fare low and willing to travel light.

Best for: Budget travelers flying from Europe who can pack light and stay flexible with dates. 

Good to know:

• Bags, seat selection, and priority services can all cost extra, so compare the final checkout price, not just the advertised fare.

• Wizz Air’s Iceland service may vary, so it’s worth checking the current KEF destination list before you book.

Typical routes (examples): VNO–KEF, WAW–KEF, BUD–KEF, GDN–KEF.

Delta Air Lines is one of the largest major airlines in the United States. For trips to Iceland, it offers service from select US hubs, making it a practical option for travelers already flying within Delta’s network.

Best for: US travelers who want to earn or use SkyMiles, especially if they’re departing from a Delta hub.

Good to know:

• Delta’s Iceland routes can change by season, so it’s worth checking availability before booking.

• What’s included depends on the fare type, so check baggage, seat selection, and change or cancellation rules before you book.

• Delta’s own Reykjavik page is the quickest place to confirm current options and fares for your dates. 

Typical routes (examples): JFK–KEF, MSP–KEF, DTW–KEF.

United Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the United States. For Iceland, it offers service from select US hubs and can be a practical choice for travelers connecting from elsewhere in North America.

Best for: MileagePlus members and travelers who want easy North American connections in a single booking.

Good to know:

• Some United routes to KEF run only on certain days and shift with the seasonal schedule.

• United is adding flights from Washington D.C. to KEF in summer 2026, with service starting May 21, 2026, and running through September 2026.

• Fare rules vary by ticket type, especially in Basic Economy, so look up baggage, seat selection, and change rules before you book.

Typical routes (examples): EWR–KEF, ORD–KEF, IAD–KEF.

American Airlines is the world's largest airline by passenger traffic. It’s less of a “go-to” for Iceland than Icelandair or some other transatlantic carriers, but it can work for mileage earning, redemptions, or simpler booking through American’s network.

Best for: Travelers who already use American and want to earn or redeem AAdvantage miles on an Iceland trip.

Good to know:

• Iceland availability can vary a lot by route and date, so this is one to verify case by case rather than assume a flight is running from your nearest hub.

• Fare rules depend on ticket type, so review baggage, seat selection, and ticket change fees and restrictions before you book.

Typical routes (examples): DFW–KEF, PHL–KEF, AUS–KEF, IAH–KEF.

Alaska Airlines is launching its first transatlantic route to Iceland in summer 2026, with daily nonstop service between Seattle (SEA) and Keflavík (KEF). The route runs from May 28 to early September and is part of Alaska's broader expansion into European markets.

Best for: West Coast travelers, especially those departing from Seattle or connecting through Alaska's Pacific Northwest hub. Also useful for oneworld alliance members looking to earn or redeem Atmos Rewards points.

Good to know:

• Alaska has a codeshare agreement with Icelandair, meaning you can book onward European connections through Keflavík in a single itinerary.

• First class and Atmos Rewards Gold, Platinum, and Titanium members get access to Icelandair's Saga Lounge at KEF.

• Complimentary Wi-Fi is included on the Reykjavík route, which is a specific perk for this flight.

• This is a seasonal summer route only. If you need to fly outside that window, check Icelandair, which serves Seattle year-round.

Typical route: SEA to KEF (daily, late May to early September 2026).

Air Transat is a Canadian leisure airline launching seasonal service between Montreal (YUL) and Keflavík (KEF) for summer 2026. Flights run twice weekly from June 16 to September 27, giving Canadian travelers a second direct option alongside Icelandair.

Best for: Travelers departing from Montreal who want a direct flight to Iceland without routing through Toronto or a US hub.

Good to know:

• The route operates twice a week (not daily), so you'll need to plan your dates around the available departures.

• Air Transat is a leisure-focused carrier. Fare types and baggage inclusions vary, so check what's included before booking.

• If you're flying from elsewhere in Canada, Air Transat also offers domestic feeder flights from smaller cities into Montreal, which can simplify the connection.

Typical route: YUL to KEF (twice weekly, mid-June to late September 2026).

Lufthansa is Germany’s flagship airline and one of Europe’s main network carriers, operating since 1955. It connects Keflavík (KEF) with Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC), with onward connections across its wider European and international network.

If you're starting in Central Europe, Lufthansa is one of the most practical ways to reach Iceland. Both Frankfurt and Munich act as feeder hubs, so travelers from smaller German, Austrian, or Swiss cities can often build a same-day connection through either airport.

Rail&Fly is also worth checking if you'd rather take the train to the departure airport and include it in the same booking. 

Typical routes (examples): FRA–KEF, MUC–KEF.

SAS is the main network airline of Scandinavia, serving Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. On Iceland routes, it flies to Reykjavík from or via Copenhagen (CPH), Oslo (OSL), and Stockholm (ARN).

For anyone already in Scandinavia, SAS is often the simplest path to Iceland. Most routes run year-round, and connections through Copenhagen, Oslo, or Stockholm are short enough that a layover doesn't turn into a lost day.

SAS sells Reykjavík flights through all three hubs. If you're traveling with children, SAS offers discounts, where infants can travel free or at up to 90% off, and children aged 2 to 11 can receive up to 25% off on eligible bookings.

Typical routes (examples): CPH–KEF, OSL–KEF, ARN–KEF.

Air France is France’s flag carrier and one of the country’s main international airlines since 1933. It connects Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) with Keflavík (KEF), making it a practical option for travelers starting in France or connecting through Paris.

Flying Blue members can redeem miles on eligible flights, which is useful if you already collect points with Air France or KLM. Depending on the fare, Premium Economy or Business cabins may be available, which can be a better fit on this route if you want more comfort than a basic economy seat. Baggage allowance depends on the fare and cabin, so check what's included before you book.

Typical routes (examples): CDG–KEF.

Other Airlines Serving KEF

This guide covers the airlines travelers ask about most, but it is not exhaustive. Other carriers currently operating routes to Keflavík include British Airways, easyJet, Finnair, Norwegian, Jet2, Transavia, Eurowings, Edelweiss, and several more. For the full and current list, check KEF’s official list mentioned above.

Direct flights to Iceland are not fixed year-round. Some routes operate all year, while others run only in summer or on a few days each week. 

If you’re searching for direct flights to Reykjavík, start by looking for KEF, the code for Keflavík International Airport. Most international flights arrive there, not at Reykjavík Airport in the city. 

To check current routes, start with your home airport, airline, or KEF’s destination list. Then confirm the exact dates on the airline’s booking page.

If you’re looking for direct flights to Iceland from the US, the list of departure cities changes by season.

Common departure cities (seasonal variations apply):

• New York (JFK and Newark/EWR)
• Boston 
• Chicago 
• Washington, D.C. 
• Minneapolis 
• Seattle (new for summer 2026 on Alaska Airlines)

Summer usually brings the widest choice. If you’re checking what airlines fly to Iceland from the US, always confirm on the airline’s own schedule.

Canada has several cities with direct flights to Iceland, though not all routes run year-round. For summer 2026, Air Transat is launching twice-weekly service from Montreal to Keflavík, joining Icelandair's existing Canadian routes.

Common departure cities (seasonal variations apply):

• Toronto
• Montreal
• Vancouver

WestJet has also announced service from Edmonton for summer 2026. If you're flying from Ottawa, expect a connection, usually via Toronto or Montreal, rather than a direct route.

The UK is one of the easiest places to find direct flights to Iceland, especially from London. Check the airport code carefully, since “London” can mean more than one airport. Several carriers serve this market, including Icelandair, easyJet, British Airways, Wizz Air, and Jet2.

Common departure cities (seasonal variations apply):

• London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, and Stansted, depending on the airline)
• Manchester 
• Glasgow 
• Edinburgh 
• Birmingham

Mainland Europe offers the widest range of direct flights to Iceland. If your city does not have one, a nearby hub often does. Airlines operating direct routes include Icelandair, Lufthansa, SAS, Air France, Finnair, Transavia, Eurowings, Wizz Air, Norwegian, and others.

Major direct routes operate from:

• Paris 
• Amsterdam 
• Frankfurt 
• Copenhagen 
• Oslo 
• Stockholm 
• Zurich 
• Milan 
• Rome 
• Warsaw

For almost all international trips, you’ll fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF), not Reykjavík Airport. KEF is Iceland’s main international airport, while Reykjavík Airport (RKV) mainly handles domestic flights within Iceland, along with a few regional routes.

The confusion usually comes down to the name Reykjavík. RKV is the city airport and is used mostly for domestic flights. If you are booking flights to Iceland from abroad, check that your ticket says KEF.

Looking to plan your next step after landing? It helps to know what’s near Keflavík town and how the wider air network works in our guide to Iceland’s airports.

The trip to and from Keflavik usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes, though hotel drop-offs can take longer than direct terminal-to-city transfers.

Main ways to get to Reykjavík:

• Airport bus: Flybus is the standard shared airport transfer between KEF and Reykjavík. Buses depart 40 minutes after each flight lands, with more frequent service during rush hours. Flybus also offers hotel drop-off on many Reykjavík routes.

• Rental car: A practical choice to start a road trip as soon as you land. See our car rental guide for tips on providers, insurance, and pricing.

• Private transfer: The easiest door-to-door option, especially if you’re arriving late, traveling with a group, or carrying a lot of luggage.

• Taxi: The most flexible option, but usually the most expensive.

For a full breakdown of getting around Iceland beyond the airport transfer, including buses, taxis, and domestic flights, see our transport guide.

Once you’ve arrived and settled in Reykjavík, most trips head in one of three directions:

• Day tours from Reykjavík: a simple way to start exploring right away, especially if you're on a shorter trip. Browse our Reykjavík pickup tours for guided departures from the city.

• Self-drive trips: a good fit if you're planning a longer Iceland trip and want flexibility. Check our self-drive tours for packages that include a rental car, accommodation, and itinerary. For tips on the road, see our guide to driving in Iceland.

• Northern Lights tours: a popular winter choice for an evening dedicated to aurora hunting.

If you're thinking about spending several days on the road, our Ring Road itinerary guide breaks down how to plan a 5 to 10-day loop around the country.

Icelandair has the broadest route network to Keflavík and is the most common choice for travelers flying direct from both North America and Europe. It also offers a stopover program for transatlantic itineraries. The best pick still depends on your departure city, budget, and baggage needs.

Many routes are seasonal. Summer usually offers the widest choice of direct flights, especially from North America, while winter schedules are thinner on some city pairs. For a broader look at how timing changes the trip, see our guide to the best time to visit Iceland.

November is often one of the cheapest months to fly to Keflavík. January can also offer competitive fares, while holiday periods usually push prices up. For tips on making the most of a lower-cost trip, see our guide to Iceland on a budget.

Nearly all international flights use Keflavík International Airport (KEF). Reykjavík Airport (RKV) mainly handles domestic flights and a small number of regional routes.

Yes. If you’re flying transatlantic with Icelandair, you can add a stopover in Iceland for up to seven days at no additional airfare. The total trip cost can still vary depending on your dates and fare conditions, so compare the full itinerary before you book. For ideas on what to do with a short stay, see our layover in Iceland guide.

No, Icelandair is not a Star Alliance member. It does have its own airline partnerships, including codeshare agreements and loyalty partnerships with other carriers.

Delta, United, and American Airlines all sell flights to Keflavík. Alaska Airlines joins them in summer 2026 with daily nonstop service from Seattle. Exact routes vary by season, so check each airline's schedule for your dates.

Not as a general rule. American Airlines sells flights to Iceland, but nonstop service is not something to assume as a standard option. Some American-booked Reykjavík fares may include connections, so treat nonstop availability as route-specific rather than guaranteed.

Flight times depend on your departure city and wind direction. From Boston, a direct eastbound flight takes about 5 to 5.5 hours. From New York, expect around 5.5 to 6 hours. From Seattle (on Alaska Airlines, starting summer 2026), the eastbound flight is roughly 7 to 7.5 hours.

For summer travel, booking about 3 to 6 months ahead is a sensible target. Shoulder seasons usually give you a bit more flexibility, but prices can still move quickly on popular direct routes.

Use a live route map first. FlightConnections’ KEF route map is a good starting point, then confirm the route on the airline’s own booking page before you book.

Yes. PLAY Airlines ceased operations on September 29, 2025, and its flights were canceled after the shutdown. Any current route comparison should focus on other airlines instead.