Iceland has been on my travel list for a long time, but I didn’t manage to get there, until this year. And instead of a long, planned, trip, I managed to do it on a whim. Let me explain why. I booked my flights to Iceland with Icelandair during a Black Friday promotion and managed to get a return ticket for just £107, which is an excellent fare to Iceland with a full-service carrier rather than a low-cost airline. A deal like that was too good not to book, but, with the winter holidays in between and not much time left before heading off, I didn’t get to plan much. However, I still had an incredible trip and I am looking forward to travelling back to Iceland.
Recently, I’ve started reviewing airlines whenever I fly with one for the first time, because I always like to know what to expect before booking, and I know other travellers do too. So I was genuinely curious to see what Icelandair would be like and how it would compare to other airlines I’ve flown with. And this is why I am writing this Icelandair review, based on my own opinions, on a fully paid by me flight.
I was also especially excited because this would be my first proper visit to Iceland. I had technically been before on a layover, but I’d never actually stepped outside the airport to explore the country. Still, even from the plane window during landing and takeoff, the dramatic landscapes were enough to tell me I was in for something special.
Who Is Icelandair
Before booking a flight with any airline, I always like to know a bit about who I’m flying with, especially when it’s my first time choosing them. Icelandair is the national carrier of Iceland and has been operating for decades, with its roots going back to 1937. Over the years it has grown from a small regional airline into an international carrier connecting Europe and North America via Iceland.
One of the things many travellers want reassurance about is safety, and Icelandair has a strong reputation in this area. Like all major international airlines, it operates under strict aviation regulations and safety standards, and Iceland itself is known for having a very strong aviation safety record.
In terms of destinations, Icelandair specialises in transatlantic routes, linking cities across Europe and North America with a stopover in Iceland. This stopover model is actually one of their signature features, allowing passengers to explore Iceland for a few days at no extra airfare before continuing to their final destination. As well as long-haul routes, they also run direct flights to Iceland from several major European cities.
Having been in business for nearly a century, Icelandair is far from a new or experimental airline.
The Fares
One of the first things I checked when doing my research for this Icelandair review was the fare structure because price and what you actually get for it can vary widely between airlines. I flew economy, but wanted to know what else do they offer.
Icelandair offers a few different fare options, tailored to different types of travellers, from budget-conscious flyers to those who want a bit more flexibility and comfort.
Here’s a clear breakdown of the fare types and what you can expect from each.
Economy (Standard)
This is the most basic fare and the one many people choose when flying from London Gatwick to Reykjavik. It includes:
- A standard seat with one personal item and a carry-on bag
- Access to buy additional food and beverages on board
The seat itself is comfortable enough for a short flight, though it doesn’t include extras like advanced seat selection or meals. If you’re happy to travel light and keep costs down, this is a popular choice.
Economy Flex
Economy Flex is one step up from Standard, and the main benefits are flexibility and peace of mind, especially useful if you’re booking early or your plans might change. It generally includes:
- All the Standard benefits
- Free seat selection at booking
- A checked bag included
- Flexibility to change your ticket (often with lower or no change fees)
This is a great option if you want a bit more certainty without paying for a premium cabin, especially if you’re travelling with luggage or want to secure a better seat early on.
Saga Premium (Premium Economy/Business Style)
Saga Premium is Icelandair’s more premium cabin and is a nice upgrade if you want more space and service. Typically included here are:
- Priority boarding
- Larger seats with extra legroom
- A checked bag
- Complimentary meals and drinks
- Lounge access (on select flights/stations)
Icelandair’s Saga Premium isn’t quite business class on long-haul carriers, but it feels noticeably more comfortable than economy especially for longer flights or if you prefer extra space and service.
The Essentials
For this trip, I flew with Icelandair on their lowest fare, travelling with carry-on luggage only, so I paid close attention to what was actually included and how strict they were with the rules.
My ticket allowed one carry-on bag weighing up to 10 kg, and this was definitely enforced. My bag was weighed at the gate at London Gatwick Airport before boarding, which is something not all airlines consistently do. The size of the bag, however, wasn’t checked, only the weight, so as long as your suitcase fits standard cabin dimensions and doesn’t look oversized, you’ll likely be fine. Still, it’s worth double-checking measurements before travelling, just to be safe.
I was flying in economy on the basic fare, which meant the only complimentary drinks included were water, tea and coffee. There was one onboard service during the flight, and anything else like snacks, soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, was available to purchase from the menu at what I thought quite a hefty price.
Onboard
Both of my flights with Icelandair were operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, and overall the onboard experience felt modern and comfortable for a short-haul journey. The cabin had a sleek, contemporary design, with black leather seats that looked smart and were actually more comfortable than I expected. One feature I particularly appreciated was the adjustable headrest, which can be bent on either side to support your head. This is a small detail, but it really helps if you want to relax or nap during the flight. The chairs also have the recline option, which again, was very welcome. I fly low cost so much that I forget this is an option anymore.
Legroom in economy is around 31 inches of seat pitch, which is fairly standard for short-haul flights. I found it perfectly adequate for the roughly three-hour journey, though taller travellers might still prefer an exit row or extra-legroom seat. To me, again, compared to the low cost airlines I usually fly with, it was plenty.
One thing I genuinely didn’t expect on such a short flight was personal entertainment screens. These are becoming increasingly rare on short-haul routes, so it was a nice surprise to have a screen built into the seat in front. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to bring your own headphones if you want to use it. Otherwise, you can buy a pair from the crew onboard, but they’re quite pricey for what you get.
The movie selection wasn’t particularly impressive, and interestingly it was different on each flight. That said, I still managed to find something watchable both times, which helped pass the time nicely on the way to Reykjavik.
Icelandair Review
One detail I absolutely loved straight away was that the aircraft had a name. Our plane was called Hornbjarg, named after the dramatic cliff that rises straight out of the ocean at the northernmost point of the Westfjords. It’s one of the most remote and wild places in Iceland, and it’s also home to the country’s only native land mammal, the Arctic fox. There was a short story about Hornbjarg printed next to the aircraft door, and I found myself reading it while waiting to board at London Gatwick Airport. It felt like a small but thoughtful detail.
Both flights were on time and actually landed a little earlier than scheduled, which is always a very welcome bonus. Boarding was smooth in both directions, with no delays or stress. In Reykjavik, the plane was parked away from the terminal, so we used buses to get to and from the aircraft rather than a jet bridge, but everything was well organised and efficient.
The flight to Reykjavik was incredibly smooth. Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, we were starting our descent. The landing was genuinely beautiful. We flew low over Iceland’s rugged landscape at sunset, with the ocean on one side and glaciers and sharp cliffs on the other. I even managed to spot the most recent lava fields near Grindavík, which felt surreal to see from the air.
The return flight was a completely different experience weather-wise. We had been lucky with calm conditions during our three days in Iceland, but a storm arrived overnight on departure day. Taking off from Reykjavik was quite shaky due to very strong winds, and you could really feel the power of the weather moving the plane.
Service on the way back was done in the dark, which surprised me a little. I asked for coffee but was given tea instead and didn’t realise until the service had finished, as I let it cool down before taking a sip. When I went to the back galley and mentioned it, the flight attendants were friendly and happy to change it for me, which I appreciated.
What I really liked:
There were a few things that genuinely stood out to me when flying with Icelandair, especially considering this was a relatively short flight.
- One of the biggest surprises was the personal TV screens. You don’t often see seatback entertainment on short-haul routes anymore, so having a screen with films and shows available felt like a real bonus and made the journey pass much faster.
- I also found the legroom noticeably generous for economy. With around 31 inches of seat pitch, it felt more comfortable than many short flights I’ve taken, and I never felt cramped or restless during the journey.
- And finally, something that always makes a difference: both flights ran on time. In fact, we even landed slightly early on both legs.
What could be better:
- The main downside for me was the value for money when it comes to what’s included in the fare. Compared to some other airlines flying similar routes at a similar or lower price point, I would have expected at least a complimentary snack or small meal to be included. While I didn’t mind purchasing extras if I wanted them, it did stand out that for what is often considered a slightly more premium fare, the inclusions were fairly minimal.
Final Words
Overall, my experience flying with Icelandair was a really positive one, especially considering it was my first time with the airline. From the smooth boarding process to the comfortable seats, generous legroom and the unexpected bonus of onboard entertainment screens, the journey felt easy and relaxed from start to finish.
Would I fly with Icelandair again? Absolutely, especially if I found another deal like that. I am actually considering them to fly further, to my beloved Canada via Iceland, because they have some really good deals to Toronto when they have sales. And now, with Play going bust, there is one less affordable airline out there to fly to Canada from Europe.
For more articles about Iceland, check out my recommendations below:
- What to eat in Iceland
- The best stops on the Golden Circle
- How to spend a layover in Iceland
- Two days in Reykjavik itinerary
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