Over the last week Icelandair announced plans to start seasonal service to three new cities in the United States in 2018. With three new routes, this means three new ways to get to Europe on miles! Although Icelandair is more of a hybrid low-cost carrier than a full-service carrier, the addition of routes is always welcome when looking to travel. Even more true during the peak season.
Currently, Icelandair partners with Alaska Airlines and Jetblue in the United States and Finnair in Europe. Only Alaska Airlines and Finnair miles can be redeemed for free flights on Icelandair. Jetblue Trueblue members can earn miles on Icelandair but not use miles for award flights.
Icelandair’s new service includes Kansas City, Baltimore, and San Francisco. New Service begins on May 25,2018 to Kansas City, marking the first time ever Kansas City will have regularly scheduled transatlantic service. Service will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays with a 757 aircraft. Baltimore service returns after an eleven year hiatus three days later (May 28, 2018) with four times weekly service on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Friday with a 757. Finally, June 1, 2018 Iceland will re-launch service to San Francisco with a 767. San Francisco will see service Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Both San Francisco and Baltimore already have nonstop service to Reykjavik via Low-cost carrier WOW.
New Routes, More Awards
The launch of the three new seasonal routes means more award options for flyers. Alaska Airlines offers flights to Europe on Iceland air for 22.5K miles each way in economy and 50K miles in business. Alaska Airline awards also allow for free stop overs, allowing you to stay in Iceland before continuing to Europe. Just note, if you are redeeming miles for an award flight, Icelandair business class is not lay flat. Icelandair business class aka “Saga Class” in more like domestic first class. Seats are just basic recliners. In economy class soda and water are complimentary but meals cost more. Be sure to know explore Icelandair’s in-flight offerings before traveling.
Finnair also allows for award flights on Icelandair, however their award chart is not as generous. One-way awards in Economy class are 67.5K and business class is 105K miles! The better deal is clearly Alaska Airline awards!
If you need help with award travel, be sure to ask for help.
Some Award Travel WIDE open!
Award tickets this summer are hard to come by, but then again as the weather warms up in Iceland tourist flock to the small island nation. However, if you wait until October, up to 4 business class awards on nearly every flight between San Francisco and Reykevich is available! Thus, making it possible for your entire family to travel together in style. Economy class award tickets throughout the summer are more common on nearly every IcelandAir route.
From Kansas City, direct award travel is must more difficult to come by without a domestic connection or two. Yet, from Baltimore summer travel offers nearly 2 business class seats as award tickets on every flight! In September that number jumps to 4!
If you’re looking for an Icelandic adventure, consider making the hop later this summer or early fall for free travel. Finally, if you have any advice for Iceland, please share it with readers below.
