It’s a new era for Icelandair, as the airline will soon no longer exclusively be operating Boeing jets…
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Icelandair is acquiring four Airbus A321LRs
In 2023, Icelandair placed an order for 13 Airbus A321XLRs, which is Airbus’ new long range, narrow body jet. The plane makes sense for Icelandair, which needs the range to operate some of its longer flights, as it eventually retires its Boeing 757s. While Icelandair is otherwise relying on the Boeing 737 MAX for fleet renewal, the aircraft doesn’t quite have the same range.
The catch with the Airbus A321XLR is that Icelandair will only take delivery of its first of these aircraft in 2029. In the interim, Icelandair intends to lease four Airbus A321LRs, which are a slightly shorter range version of that aircraft.
Anyway, we knew that Icelandair planned to start flying the A321LR as of late 2024, and that indeed appears to be happening. Ishrion Aviation reports on how Icelandair has now loaded the A321LR into the schedule (of course subject to change):
- The A321LR will first fly from Keflavik (KEF) to Copenhagen (CPH) and Stockholm (ARN), as of December 10, 2024
- The first North America destination will be Toronto (YYZ) as of May 1, 2025, while the first United States destination will be Seattle (SEA) as of May 7, 2025
What to expect onboard Icelandair’s Airbus A321LR
Icelandair’s Airbus A321LRs will be equipped with 187 seats, including 22 business class seats and 165 economy class seats. Icelandair’s business class is more like domestic first class within the United States (or premium economy on international flights), and that isn’t changing with the A321LR.
Icelandair’s A321LR business class is expected to have the Geven Comoda seat, with a respectable 42-43″ of pitch, 8″ of recline, and leg and foot rests. So this does represent a nice improvement over what you’ll find on the carrier’s current fleet.
Economy will be in the typical 3-3 configuration, and I haven’t heard much more yet about what to expect. Presumably there will be seat back entertainment and Wi-Fi throughout the cabin.
Bottom line
In the coming weeks, Icelandair will start operating Airbus aircraft, as the airline takes delivery of its first of four Airbus A321LRs. They’ll initially fly to Copenhagen and Stockholm, before making their North America debut in the spring of 2025.
Don’t expect a radically different experience onboard the A321LR compared to Icelandair’s existing 737 MAX aircraft. However, business class should be a bit more spacious, which is nice.
What do you make of Icelandair adding the Airbus A321LR to its fleet?
Is it really accurate to describe Icelandair's Saga Premium as business class?
The airline is pretty careful about never describing it that way anymore, preferring to use their branded name; as I recall, United and Delta sell their domestic F seats as premium economy on similar narrowbody routes and it seems like more and more the name "Saga Premium" is meant to suggest that it's a premium economy product as well.
The good thing is that it's coded as premium economy for Alaska award tickets, so you do save a lot of the miles.
I would say that it's more like short haul business class in other countries like Canada or intra-Asia on narrowbody. You get the lounge access, better food/service, and a basic recliner seat.
The problem is that these seats are ok for short 2 to 4 hour flights. KEF flights are closer to 5 to 7 hours for most routes, and it starts to become lacking.
Icelandair do market this as a business class service. Per fare conditions KEF-CPH for random date off itamatrix: '2ND LEVEL BUSINESS OW EXCURSION FARES J
FOR ONE WAY FARES'
It's a bona fide business class product- you get lounge access, separate check in, a generous luggage allowance and so on. The fact that the seats aren't as good as what you'd get when flying e.g. Qantas from Europe to PER is neither here nor...
Icelandair do market this as a business class service. Per fare conditions KEF-CPH for random date off itamatrix: '2ND LEVEL BUSINESS OW EXCURSION FARES J
FOR ONE WAY FARES'
It's a bona fide business class product- you get lounge access, separate check in, a generous luggage allowance and so on. The fact that the seats aren't as good as what you'd get when flying e.g. Qantas from Europe to PER is neither here nor there- this isn't really a long-haul product, most flights aren't long enough for a good night's sleep.
'Domestic F' is a much more misleading description.
I have booked my first Icelandair (Detroit - Manchester UK thru Reykjavik) in Nov. What can I expect? I am not expecting lay down comfort but it is only a 6 hour flight and I think I can put up with that. Beats the $2300 Delta wants RT.
Hello, I flew Icelander in both coach and saga class a few years ago. Here are my tips: set your expectations around southwest airlines and you will be fine. If in coach try to upgrade to a seat with extra leg room as it will be tight. If in Saga class you will get a big recliner, no lay down seat. In coach you get nothing included, suggest you preorder a meal on line in...
Hello, I flew Icelander in both coach and saga class a few years ago. Here are my tips: set your expectations around southwest airlines and you will be fine. If in coach try to upgrade to a seat with extra leg room as it will be tight. If in Saga class you will get a big recliner, no lay down seat. In coach you get nothing included, suggest you preorder a meal on line in advance or bring your own. In Saga you get a full meal but not a lot of choice and free alcohol. Other than saga class boarding is a free for all. Their was no way to enter a TSA pre check number on line, you have to call in advance. The customer service line and check in staff is all outsourced and not very good so be prepared. They are very STRICT on bag size, weight and carry on allowance so research it all or you will PAY! You have to clear immigration in Iceland and most planes land around the same time so it can get busy. Get off the plane, get through customs and then use the bathroom, get food etc. hope this helps. Kit
I wonder if having the A321LR will enable them to do KEF-SFO?
Overall it seems fine, really nothing to get excited about.
SEA to KEF is still a 7 to 8 hour flight, I wouldn't personally enjoy sitting in a basic recliner for so long. But Icelandair is for the budget travelers, so it's honestly a serviceable product, but I'd probably fly something like Condor to Europe if I was looking into lower cost carriers.
Westbound it would be fine... as for eastbound, I think it all depends. If you find it hard to sleep on planes regardless, it's not the biggest deal.
I just think for practical purposes, it's not ideal. Icelandair focuses a lot on EU connections. I personally wouldn't love flying in a domestic recliner for 7.5 hours, 2 to 3 hour layover connection, then another 3 to 5 hour flight to Europe in another domestic recliner.
I would still end up paying the premium for most of the nonstop Europe points or short 1 stop US domestic connections and have a proper widebody business...
I just think for practical purposes, it's not ideal. Icelandair focuses a lot on EU connections. I personally wouldn't love flying in a domestic recliner for 7.5 hours, 2 to 3 hour layover connection, then another 3 to 5 hour flight to Europe in another domestic recliner.
I would still end up paying the premium for most of the nonstop Europe points or short 1 stop US domestic connections and have a proper widebody business class.
For budget travelers that don't mind, Icelandair is very cheap in comparison and good value.