Planning a trip to Europe and wondering if Icelandair is worth booking? This Icelandic carrier has built a reputation around its unique Iceland stopover program and competitive transatlantic fares, but is it actually worth choosing over more established airlines? After analyzing hundreds of passenger reviews, fleet details, and service offerings, here's everything you need to know about flying Icelandair in 2025.

Quick Verdict: Is Icelandair Worth It?

The Bottom Line: Icelandair excels as a budget-friendly option for reaching Europe with the unique bonus of exploring Iceland at no extra cost. However, expect basic service, potential delays, and additional fees for most amenities. It's an excellent choice for adventurous travelers who prioritize value and don't mind trade-offs in luxury.

Best For: Budget-conscious travelers, Iceland enthusiasts, flexible itineraries
Skip If: You need reliable schedules, premium service, or extensive customer support

What Makes Icelandair Unique

The Iceland Stopover Program

Icelandair's crown jewel is undoubtedly its free stopover program. When flying between North America and Europe, you can add up to 7 days in Iceland at no additional airfare cost. This means you're essentially getting two destinations for the price of one – a compelling value proposition that few airlines can match.

The program is remarkably flexible, allowing stopovers of 1-7 days on most fares, with extended stays up to 21 days on Flex fares. You can choose to stopover either on your outbound or return journey, though many travelers report better deals when adding the stopover on the return leg.

Strategic Route Network

Icelandair serves 28 destinations across Europe and North America, with plans to add Istanbul and Edinburgh in September 2025. The airline's hub at Keflavík International Airport provides convenient connections between continents, though this also means most flights require a stop in Iceland.

While the route network isn't as extensive as major carriers, Icelandair's strategic positioning makes it an excellent option for those looking to find cheap flights to Europe while adding Iceland to their itinerary.

The Fleet: Modern but Transitioning

Icelandair operates a mixed fleet of Boeing aircraft, including 737 MAX, 757, and 767 models, with the airline recently taking delivery of its first Airbus A321LR in December 2024. The airline has ordered 13 A321XLR aircraft to replace aging Boeing 757s by 2027.

Current Fleet Highlights:

• 17 Boeing 737 MAX 8 (average age: 4.1 years)
• 4 Boeing 737 MAX 9 (average age: 3.4 years)
• 18 Boeing 757-200s (workhorses of the transatlantic fleet)
• 2 Boeing 757-300s (the stretched "flying pencil")
• 5 Boeing 767-300ERs (widebodies for high-capacity routes)

All aircraft feature in-flight Wi-Fi except the smaller Dash 8s used for domestic routes.

Icelandair Service Classes and Experience

Economy Class: The Good and The Not-So-Good

The Positives:
Multiple passenger reviews praised Icelandair's generous legroom and spacious economy seating, particularly when compared to American Airlines or United. The seats are reasonably comfortable for transatlantic flights, and the aircraft are generally clean and well-maintained.

The Reality Check:
Many passengers complain about having "less legroom than any airline they've ever seen", suggesting experiences vary significantly by aircraft type. The inflight service is basic – expect to pay extra for beverages, meals, snacks, and even earphones.

Saga Class (Business Class): Disappointing Value

Passengers consistently express disappointment with Icelandair's business class, citing poor value for money and amenities that don't justify the higher ticket price. The new A321LR features 22 lie-flat Business Class seats, which may improve the experience on newer aircraft.

Icelandair Customer Reviews: What Passengers Really Say

The Praise

• Value for Money: Icelandair consistently offers some of the cheapest transatlantic fares with checked luggage included
• Professional Crew: Travelers frequently note polite and attentive cabin crew
• Modern Aircraft: Clean, well-maintained planes with contemporary amenities
• Punctuality: Generally good departure punctuality on transatlantic flights

The Common Complaints

Delays and Cancellations: Multiple passengers report that they've "flown Icelandair 6 times and only once was it on time". Stories of extensive delays, poor communication, and last-minute cancellations are common.

Customer Service Issues: Terrible customer service appears to be a recurring theme, with passengers reporting long wait times, unhelpful representatives, and difficulty resolving issues.

Hidden Fees: Passengers frequently mention unexpected charges for luggage, seat selection, and other services that were supposedly included.

Food and Beverage: The onboard food receives particularly harsh criticism, with one passenger describing their "steak sandwich" as potentially having only "umami flavoring that maybe made it seem like it had steak".

Maximizing Value with Icelandair

Booking Strategy

1. Embrace the Stopover: Stopovers often cost the same or even less than direct roundtrip flights
2. Consider Return Stopovers: Many travelers report better deals when adding stopovers on the return journey
3. Book Direct: Use Icelandair's website for the best stopover options and pricing

Loyalty Programs and Miles Earning

Icelandair's Saga Club allows you to earn points, but Alaska Airlines and JetBlue are the only partner airlines for earning. You can credit flights to JetBlue's TrueBlue program, which may offer better value than Icelandair's own program.

For travelers focused on maximizing rewards, consider pairing your Icelandair flights with travel credit cards that offer bonus points on airline purchases.

The Competition

How Icelandair Compares to Other Airlines

Versus Budget Airlines: Icelandair offers more legroom and generally better service than ultra-low-cost carriers, though with similar à la carte pricing for amenities.

Versus Legacy Carriers: While British Airways or Air France may offer better food and service, Icelandair typically undercuts their prices significantly.

Versus Other Stopover Programs: Competitor PLAY also offers Iceland stopovers (called "Stayovers") for up to 10 days, but with a smaller route network.

Recent Developments

Fleet Modernization

The addition of Airbus A321XLR aircraft represents Icelandair's first-ever Airbus order and will replace the aging Boeing 757 fleet by 2029. This should improve fuel efficiency and passenger comfort on many routes.

Route Expansion

New destinations for 2025 include Miami, Nashville, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Halifax in North America, plus Istanbul and Edinburgh in Europe.

When to Choose Icelandair vs Alternatives

Choose Icelandair If:

• You're budget-conscious and prioritize savings over luxury
• Iceland is on your bucket list (the stopover program is unmatched)
• You have flexible travel dates and can handle potential delays
• You don't mind paying extra for meals and amenities
• You're comfortable with basic service levels

Skip Icelandair If:

• You need reliable, on-time performance for business travel
• Premium service and amenities are important to you
• You require responsive customer service
• You're traveling with checked bags and want everything included upfront

For travelers seeking more premium experiences, consider reading our analysis of top travel credit cards with airport perks that can enhance any airline experience.

Pro Tips for Your Iceland Stopover

Whether you have 24 hours or a full week, Iceland offers incredible experiences from whale watching to geothermal bathing, northern lights viewing to exploring dramatic landscapes. The country truly offers something magical regardless of season.

Essential Stopover Tips:

• Book accommodations separately for maximum flexibility
• Consider renting a car for exploring beyond Reykjavík
• Check weather conditions and plan activities accordingly
• Pre-book popular attractions like the Blue Lagoon
• Consider comprehensive travel insurance for international adventures

Final Thoughts: Is Icelandair Worth Booking?

Icelandair isn't perfect, but it serves a specific niche brilliantly. If you can embrace the adventure mindset – accepting that you might face delays, will pay extra for amenities, and need to manage expectations around service – the airline offers exceptional value. The Iceland stopover program alone makes it worth considering for many European trips.

The key is understanding what you're signing up for: a budget-friendly way to reach Europe with the incredible bonus of exploring one of the world's most stunning countries. Just pack your patience along with your sense of adventure.

Our Rating: 3.5/5 stars - Good value for the right traveler, but significant room for improvement in reliability and service.

Planning your Iceland adventure? Remember to check visa requirements, pack for variable weather, and always consider travel protection for international journeys.