Cool: Atlantic Airways’ Faroe Islands To New York Flight

Cool: Atlantic Airways’ Faroe Islands To New York Flight

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Back in late March, Atlantic Airways announced plans to fly to the United States, though in a very limited capacity. The airline has now put these flights on sale, so I wanted to look at the schedule and fares.

Atlantic Airways & the Faroe Islands

First for some background, the Faroe Islands are located East of Iceland and North of the UK. The destination has been on my bucket list for a long time, and boasts incredible nature, and isn’t nearly as overrun with tourists as the major hotspots in Iceland.

One of the reasons it’s probably not as touristy is because there’s fairly limited air service. Atlantic Airways is the airline of the Faroe Islands, and only has three planes in its fleet (one A320 and two A320neos), each featuring 174 seats in a one cabin configuration. Historically the airline has operated quite a few seasonal routes to Europe, with year-round destinations including Billund, Copenhagen, Reykjavik, and Oslo.

For years, Atlantic Airways has been considering adding flights to New York. Up until now that hasn’t come to fruition, but that will finally be changing.

Atlantic Airways’ new route to New York

Atlantic Airways has announced that it will operate flights to New York in 2023:

  • The service will run from August 22 through October 4, 2023
  • The flight will operate once weekly, westbound on Tuesdays and eastbound on Wednesdays (presumably so that the crew can spend one night in New York, rather than having to stay for a week)
  • The service will operate between Vagar Airport (FAE) and Stewart Airport (SWF)
  • There will be a bus service timed for this flight to & from New York City, which passengers can buy tickets on
  • Atlantic Airways will use an Airbus A320neo for the route, featuring 174 economy seats
  • Flights are on sale as of May 17, 2023

The flight will operate westbound on Tuesdays and eastbound on Wednesdays, with the following schedule:

RC407 Vagar to Stewart departing 4:30PM arriving 6:50PM
RC408 Stewart to Vagar departing 10:45AM arriving 10:05PM

The 3,024-mile flight is blocked at 7hr20min westbound and 6hr20min eastbound.

Atlantic Airways will fly to New York

Atlantic Airways’ flight pricing to New York

Now that Atlantic Airways’ flights between the Faroe Islands and New York are on sale, what are the fares like? For the flight to New York, I see fares starting at $458 for the cheapest fare, up to $866 for the most expensive ticket.

Atlantic Airways fare from Faroe Islands to New York

For the flight to the Faroe Islands, I see fares starting at $416 for the cheapest fare, up to $828 for the most expensive ticket.

Atlantic Airways fare from New York to Faroe Islands

Below you can see what’s included with each of these fare bundles.

Atlantic Airways’ three fare bundles

My take on Atlantic Airways’ service to New York

It’s always fun to see airlines trying something new. This is a route that Atlantic Airways has been teasing for years, so it’s exciting to see that it’s finally happening this summer. Unfortunately I’m a little bit skeptical as to the viability of this route:

  • I understand the airline has a limited fleet and needs these planes for other routes in the peak summer season, but this route is operating after when most people in the United States have school holidays, so this won’t be practical for most families
  • With once weekly service, the flight operating on Tuesdays and Wednesdays won’t be convenient for most travelers looking to maximize vacation days
  • While Stewart Airport is a low cost airport that has space to accommodate Atlantic Airways, it’s probably an airport many people aren’t familiar with, and it’s also not ideal for those booking a positioning flight
  • The lack of a premium cabin on Atlantic Airways may make some rich New Yorkers with time on their hands less likely to take this flight, since they might not consider flying economy across the Atlantic

Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to see this service launching, I just think the execution here might limit the potential interest. I think once weekly midweek flights after the summer peak would perform very differently than twice weekly flights over the summer peak.

The Faroe Islands hasn’t historically seen many American visitors. For example, looking at the Faroe Islands’ 2016 annual report, Americans accounted for only around 3,300 “bed nights.” Presumably in most cases rooms have double occupancy, though I imagine most people stay for at least a few days, so that means there were likely fewer than 3,300 American tourists.

I suspect this isn’t due to a lack of interest, though, but rather due to a lack of a practical way to travel between the US and the Faroe Islands. Maybe this new direct flight will actually create some demand, even if the schedule isn’t ideal.

Bottom line

Atlantic Airways plans to operate a flight between the Faroe Islands and New York in the late summer and early fall of 2023. The route will operate just half a dozen times between late August and early October. While this route is awesome to see, unfortunately the execution here will leave a bit to be desired for many travelers, in my opinion. If you’re interested in taking this flight, tickets are now on sale.

It’s nice to see this service finally happening. Now if only Canadian North could launch a route between the Canadian Arctic and Greenland

What do you make of Atlantic Airways’ service to New York?

Conversations (43)
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  1. Vim Guest

    I suspect the scheduling that you're questioning is deliberate and that this isn't a flight designed to entice more Americans to the Faroes but one laid on to give the Faroese (most of whom can afford it) an opportunity to go to New York.

  2. Ryan R Guest

    The best thing about this is it's a daytime eastbound Atlantic crossing

  3. Ferdinand Magellan Guest

    Been there, and enjoyed it, but it's nowhere near as beautiful as Iceland.

    Also, across the ocean in economy? Ugh.

  4. Junayed Khan Guest

    I want to come in New York City, I live in Bangladesh

  5. WW Guest

    Should try the weekly Azores SATA A321, JFK direct to Funchal (Madeira)

  6. AA70 Diamond

    DFW is going to build a sixth terminal, and remodel/expand terminal C
    https://news.dfwairport.com/dfw-airport-american-airlines-sign-10-year-use-and-lease-agreement/

  7. iamhere Guest

    People may prefer to change planes if the timing of this flight is inconvenient and if the airport in NY is not convenient. May be just easier to change planes.

  8. Bob Guest

    HGI $315 a night or 50,000 HH points a night

  9. Virginia Guest

    I’ve visited the Faroe Islands via scotland . They are stunning - I would love to return . Accommodations are not cheap however . I personally would never take a 7 hour flight in economy . I’d rather transit via Europe in a premium cabin . In addition - august through October seems a strange time for a seasonal route . June - august appears to be a more optimal time to visit because of the weather .

  10. Mike Combs Guest

    The Grind runs Jun-Aug. NY flights are Aug-Oct. curious timing

    1. Magni Guest

      Except it doesnt work like that at all, grindadráp is not a seasonal thing at all.
      It can happen at any time, yes, even in December.
      Atleast try to be correct.

  11. Franklin Guest

    I'd fly this if I didn't have to stay there for a week. I guess it could be a cool one way routing to Europe with a good connection to mainland europe on points via SAS.

  12. Tom Gioia Guest

    I believe this might be offered primarily for Faroese people to visit NYC [ hence the bus ] There is ample parking for new Yorkers to leave their car for a week at Stewart .

    For me BOS CPH VAG is easier on SAS or SAS and Atlantic

  13. Gabe Guest

    I'm surprised they're trying to go after the New York market when they don't even fly to London, which is only 2 hours away. Surely that's a much more accesible option.

    1. Hobbs Guest

      I think the Faroe Islands are taking heed of the many European countries saying no to the British traveler. Americans spend more, and are better behaved, plain and simple.

    2. Ben Guest

      This seems far fetched. While Amsterdam has an issue with boozed up young Brits jetting off for a weekend away, I doubt this would be the case for the entire continent of Europe and in particular an island nation with likely a very specific tourist in mind who loves adventure and the outdoors.

    3. Mike Guest

      Er, no. The sort of Brits who go to Spain might misbehave; the sort of Brits who are likely to go to the Faroe Islands will not. I know - I'm a Brit and I've been

  14. KingBob Guest

    Got to spend a few nights in Tórshavn in 2021, arriving there via the Smyril Line cruise ferry from northern Denmark and then flying Atlantic Airways from Vagar Airport to CPH. It's definitely a worthwhile destination for those that love outdoor adventures. The airline itself was nothing special; it wasn't bad. My trip involved several rebookings as covid restrictions kept getting extended. The airline was good about honoring the original price I booked the original...

    Got to spend a few nights in Tórshavn in 2021, arriving there via the Smyril Line cruise ferry from northern Denmark and then flying Atlantic Airways from Vagar Airport to CPH. It's definitely a worthwhile destination for those that love outdoor adventures. The airline itself was nothing special; it wasn't bad. My trip involved several rebookings as covid restrictions kept getting extended. The airline was good about honoring the original price I booked the original res at.

  15. Janet Guest

    I went hiking in the Faroes a few Aprils ago, 2018 I think. Beautiful country, even if I got hypothermia While hiking in pouring rain!

  16. ConcordeBoy Diamond

    I'm sorta surprised that this hasn't been met with more resistance/condemnation by the ecology types, with images of the islands' famous Grindadrap (and an entire bay full of blood and animal fat) having become quite widespread in the Americas over the last decade or so.

    WARNING, GRAPHIC IMAGE... click at your own risk:
    https://www.lifegate.com/app/uploads/grindagrap-red-sea.jpg

    1. Heathrow_LHR Guest

      Damn. I'm not squeamish, but what gets me is that some of them are smiling. I get that it's food to them at all, and their culture or whatever, but taking joy out of that is just plain messed up.

    2. Loretta Jackson Guest

      If you don't like the local traditions, don't come. The Faroes will be plenty fine without loud Americans ruining the place.

      Don't get me started on how America treats, well, everything and everyone.

    3. Daniel Guest

      Oh poor you, perhaps you should go to a chicken farm or a ranch to see that animals actually bleed when they die? - but i guess closed doors is preferable...

    4. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      @Daniel,
      I realize that reading comprehension may not be your strong suit, or that you just may not be all that intelligent of an individual; but I've love to see you point to where I said (or even implied) that I personally have a problem with any of that. Because I didn't. So......

    5. RobASFO Guest

      Well...it's actually NOT ok that they carry on this tradition, both for the whales and for the Faroese.
      Pilot whale meat and blubber is extremely high in Mercury content.
      For those interested in the science:
      Sci Total Environ
      . 1996 Jul 16;186(1-2):141-8. doi: 10.1016/0048-9697(96)05094-2.
      Health implications for Faroe islanders of heavy metals and PCBs from pilot whales
      P Weihe 1 , P Grandjean, F Debes, R White
      Comparing...

      Well...it's actually NOT ok that they carry on this tradition, both for the whales and for the Faroese.
      Pilot whale meat and blubber is extremely high in Mercury content.
      For those interested in the science:
      Sci Total Environ
      . 1996 Jul 16;186(1-2):141-8. doi: 10.1016/0048-9697(96)05094-2.
      Health implications for Faroe islanders of heavy metals and PCBs from pilot whales
      P Weihe 1 , P Grandjean, F Debes, R White
      Comparing this to livestock practices in the US HAS NO MERIT.
      For their own sake, it's time to evolve from this practice.
      Until then, a visit would be a hard pass for me.

  17. Anon Guest

    The seasonality of the flights is a really really bad idea. Faroe has a VERY short tourist season due to the weather in the North Atlantic.... these are small islands in the middle of the ocean. Reykjavik has indoor things to do on a rainy day - Faroe is rather more limited. August is OK, but by the beginning of September, the weather is definitely starting to turn. Anyone booking as a tourist to visit...

    The seasonality of the flights is a really really bad idea. Faroe has a VERY short tourist season due to the weather in the North Atlantic.... these are small islands in the middle of the ocean. Reykjavik has indoor things to do on a rainy day - Faroe is rather more limited. August is OK, but by the beginning of September, the weather is definitely starting to turn. Anyone booking as a tourist to visit Faroe in October has to like cold wet cloudy weather
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%B3rshavn#Climate

    1. Will Guest

      Eh. I went to the Faroes in late October. It was a perfectly fine time to go.

  18. Bob Guest

    The lack of a premium cabin is a nothing burger. No one cares except bloggers who want to expense the trip and write a review to call it "work."

    1. Heathrow_LHR Guest

      ...and that's an indisputable fact everyone, because random internet yokel "Bob" said so!

    2. Andrew Reiser Guest

      I care. I tend to choose locations based on business class availability and cost. Rather be comfortable on vacation. Doesn't make you wrong either, but people have different priorities.

  19. pstm91 Diamond

    For anyone in the Westchester, Fairfield, Dutchess etc. counties area, Stewart is the greatest little airport. It doesn't get the crowding issue that HPN has, parking is extremely convenient and cheap, and it's a very easy drive to get there. Some of my favorite flights were on Norwegian from SWF, even though the planes themselves were not remotely comfortable. I'll be very intrigued by this route and interested to see how they price it.

  20. Flyer Guest

    Adding a price would have been nice!

  21. DENDAVE Member

    Connecting through KEF really isn't a bad experience. Coming from anywhere except NY may actually be easier if you have to transfer airports at Stewart. We visited the Faroes for a week and added a few days on either in Iceland though we could have timed same day connections if we had wanted.

  22. Bob Guest

    It's not difficult to get to Faroe right now. Fly to Reykjavik and then fly to Faroe.

  23. Ann Guest

    Place went downhill since the Hilton opened. Attracts too many Americans

    1. Heathrow_LHR Guest

      'cause lord knows every unique venue would rather have a whole bunch of drunken chavs + chicks who don't shave their underarms, right Annie?

    2. Jordan Guest

      That's true about the Hilton attracting too many Americans. I was there last September and went hiking around Gjogv and Saksun, two of the most popular villages for tourists. Combined between the two trips, I saw seven ENTIRE hikers! SEVEN!!! I'm not sure if they were American or not, because I couldn't quite tell if they were drinking out of red solo cups. I'm assuming they were, though.

  24. Mark Guest

    Seems twice a week would fare much better

  25. Kanaka Gold

    Great news. The Faroe Islands are gorgeous, and I look forward to going back. Hopefully Atlantic Airways expand their calendar and destinations.

  26. GUWonder Guest

    The way to fly between the US and this semi-autonomous part of the Danish kingdom has primarily involved going to Iceland and changing airports there or going from the US to CPH to Vaga(r).

    1. Jay Guest

      Flying from the Faroes via Iceland from the US didn't involve a change in airports, at least for me. Depending on pricing of this direct flight, unsure why anyone would choose not to take advantage of the free stopover in Iceland. Such a wonderful place to visit.

  27. GUWonder Guest

    What cargo do they plan to fly in and out with this service? Whale and dolphin meat won’t do.

    As the islands have a lop-sided gender balance — due to young women being more likely to ship off more permanently to the EU/Schengen countries — and a very seasonal work flow, maybe this service is sort of like one of those shore leave vacations for the (mostly) men in the offshore ONG field but...

    What cargo do they plan to fly in and out with this service? Whale and dolphin meat won’t do.

    As the islands have a lop-sided gender balance — due to young women being more likely to ship off more permanently to the EU/Schengen countries — and a very seasonal work flow, maybe this service is sort of like one of those shore leave vacations for the (mostly) men in the offshore ONG field but needing to fill up the flight otherwise.

    Hopefully, Atlantic Airways is already a US Visa Waiver Program participating carrier or there could be some disrupted vacation plans if this service comes available for sale without that.

    Is the airline being subsidized by the airport for these flights?

    1. Daniel Guest

      The lax, clams and scampi from the Faroe Islands are of the highest quality and is very popular at top restaurants.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

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ConcordeBoy Diamond

I'm sorta surprised that this hasn't been met with more resistance/condemnation by the ecology types, with images of the islands' famous Grindadrap (and an entire bay full of blood and animal fat) having become quite widespread in the Americas over the last decade or so. WARNING, GRAPHIC IMAGE... click at your own risk: https://www.lifegate.com/app/uploads/grindagrap-red-sea.jpg

3
Heathrow_LHR Guest

...and that's an indisputable fact everyone, because random internet yokel "Bob" said so!

2
Daniel Guest

Oh poor you, perhaps you should go to a chicken farm or a ranch to see that animals actually bleed when they die? - but i guess closed doors is preferable...

1
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