Icelandair is Iceland’s national carrier, connecting Europe and North America via Iceland with service to over 60 destinations. The airline also flies domestically within Iceland and to nearby Greenland. Of course, many passengers make Iceland their final destination rather than a layover spot, too!
Seats and legroom on Icelandair
Icelandair offers flights in Saga Premium and economy classes. The exception is De Havilland Canada (DHC) aircraft , which the airline uses only on domestic flights and flights to Greenland, as they do not have Saga Premium seats. These are all-economy aircraft. But for medium-haul and long-haul international flights, Saga Premium is an option.
Saga Premium is the Icelandair top cabin, but it’s more akin to domestic first class rather than international business class. The seats offer 40 to 42 inches of pitch with extra recline (though they’re not lie-flat beds), arranged in a 2-2 or 2-1-2 layout so every seat is either an aisle or a window.
Your Saga Premium ticket includes:
Saga Lounge access at Keflavik (note: recent policy changes mean non-Keflavik lounge access is no longer included for new Saga Premium tickets, though Saga Premium Flex remains unaffected)
Two checked bags (up to 70 pounds / 23 kg each)
Complimentary meals and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
Free Wi-Fi for two devices (where available)
Economy passengers can purchase all these perks except lounge access.
Most of the Icelandair fleet has an economy class with a 3-3 layout. The exceptions are domestic flights and flights to Greenland on DHC aircraft which have a 2-2 layout, and the Boeing 767 which has a 2-3-2 layout.
The seats have 31 to 32 inches of pitch on jet aircraft (or 30 to 31 inches on DHC aircraft). On certain aircraft, you can select extra legroom seats that have 34 inches of pitch or more. You’ll usually find these seats in the front of the economy cabin or in the exit rows.
Fare classes on Icelandair
Icelandair planes are usually split into two cabin classes, but those are split further into various fare classes, each with different benefits for different prices. The cheaper fares come with fewer perks, while the more expensive fares have the most, including the potential for full refunds.
Saga Premium
There are two types of Saga Premium fares: Saga Premium and Saga Premium Flex. The only real differences are that the Flex fare is refundable, it waives change fees (though you’ll still pay any fare difference), and it includes two carry-on bags instead of one. For these benefits, you’ll pay a higher fare.
Economy
The economy cabin has three fare classes: Economy Light, Economy Standard, and Economy Flex. Economy Light is akin to basic economy on other airlines. It includes a carry-on and non-alcoholic beverages, but seat selection and meals cost extra, and you can’t change these fares.
Economy Standard adds a checked bag (up to 50 pounds) and free seat selection in the rear section of the plane. Economy Flex gives you all of that plus seat selection anywhere in economy, waived change fees and possible refunds. I’m really impressed by the included checked bags, as this is fairly rare.
Amenities and entertainment
Most Icelandair planes have in-flight entertainment systems, though the selection is somewhat limited. You’ll find new releases and classic films, but I found myself gravitating towards Icelandic films and shows. Bring your own headphones since onboard ones cost extra for economy passengers (Saga Premium gets them free).
Saga Premium passengers on North American routes get an amenity kit featuring an on-demand selection system. You can choose from items including a sleeping mask, ear plugs, socks, a dental kit with bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm and hand cream from Verso Skincare. European routes don’t include these kits since the flights tend to be shorter.
Wi-Fi connection
The Icelandair Airbus A321 and Boeing 757, 767, and 737 aircraft are Wi-Fi enabled, though domestic and Greenland flights don’t have this service. Wi-Fi is free for Saga Premium passengers, while economy passengers can purchase a pass. When I bid for and received an upgrade to Saga Premium, my upgrade didn’t include free Wi-Fi, though your experience may vary. Overall, I find the network to be a little hit-or-miss, depending on where you’re flying.
Bidding on upgrades
If you want to score an upgrade at a discounted rate, you can bid on one through the Class Up programme, depending on availability. About 10 days before your flight, Icelandair might email you with an option to place a bid for a Saga Premium seat. You’ll be notified of an upgrade at least 26 hours before your flight. In my case, I was notified nearly a week before my flight.
How to check in
Icelandair offers a few ways to check in for your flight. The easiest is to check in online starting 24 hours before departure, which you can do via the mobile app or the website. You can also check in at the airport at either the check-in desk or a self-service kiosk where they’re available.
The airline splits check-in lines between premium and economy desks. The premium line is for those flying in Saga Premium or travellers who hold certain Icelandair co-branded credit cards. I’ve found the lines are fairly short at most airports, since there’s usually only one Icelandair flight departing at a time. But at Keflavik Airport (KEF) in Iceland, the lines can get much longer since it’s the airline’s hub. For priority check-in at KEF, head to Icelandair desks 40-42.
At Keflavik Airport, I’ve been able to check my bag the night before an early morning flight, which is a game-changer for skipping the morning rush. The availability and hours can change, so it’s always smart to confirm with the airline before you head to the airport.
Boarding zones
I find the Icelandair boarding process can vary depending on the airport. Saga Premium passengers will always board first, and after that, the process can differ. Your best bet is to listen closely to the boarding announcements.
Loyalty program and miles
The Icelandair loyalty programme is called Saga Club. If you sign up for a free membership, you’ll earn Saga Points for spending money on things like airfare, onboard meals, partner deals, or an Icelandair credit card. You can redeem those points for Icelandair flights, upgrades to Saga Premium via Class Up bids, or through hotel and car rental partners.
Saga Club has three tiers: Blue, Silver and Gold, with the bigger perks kicking in at Silver and Gold. As a Saga Silver member, you’ll get lounge access, an additional baggage allowance, priority check-in, and one free upgrade to Saga Premium per year. Saga Gold members get those benefits plus upgrades to the next available class every time you fly (subject to availability), fast track at eligible airports and free parking at Keflavik Airport.
Saga Club is really only worth it if you fly Icelandair regularly (generally, that’s people who live in Iceland). Otherwise, credit your Icelandair flights to partner programmes like Alaska Airlines or JetBlue. Just select these options when booking, or ask an airline representative for help.
Credit cards
Icelandair offers multiple co-branded credit cards through Icelandic banks including Arion, Íslandsbanki, Landsbankinn, and Kvika. Each of these cards earns Saga Points with every purchase, and some cards grant access to the Saga Lounge at Keflavik Airport and Saga Premium check-in. As with the Saga Club, these cards are only practical for folks who fly Icelandair all the time.
Stopover programme
If you’re flying between North America and Europe, Icelandair lets you extend your layover in Iceland for up to a week without extra airfare charges. You can book activities independently or use Icelandair’s partnerships.
Even a one-day extension can be worthwhile. Book an airport hotel for a good night’s sleep, potentially catch the northern lights or visit the Blue Lagoon. If you’re really lucky, you might spot humpback whales.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
