Great Icelandair Business Class Fares With Iceland Stopover

Great Icelandair Business Class Fares With Iceland Stopover

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As I recently wrote about, I’m considering a trip to see the Northern Lights, and Iceland is one of the destinations on my radar. I’ve been keeping an eye on the carrier’s fares, and noticed that the airline has just introduced an attractive fare sale, which is worth being aware of.

Let’s cover the details, though let me note that Icelandair doesn’t have a “traditional” business class (as I’ll explain in more detail below). Still, this could be a good deal, especially if you want a stopover in Iceland.

Icelandair’s great business class fares

At the moment Icelandair has a fare sale, offering roundtrip transatlantic business class fares starting at just $999 all-in:

  • You need to book by January 21, 2025
  • These fares are valid for travel this winter and spring, typically between February and May of 2025 (though exact eligible dates differ based on the city pairs)
  • There’s no minimum stay required for business class, and the maximum stay is 12 months
  • You’re allowed a stopover in Iceland for up to seven days at no additional cost (other than taxes and fees)
  • There are fare sales available from most of Icelandair’s gateways in the United States

The easiest way to see what’s available is to visit the Icelandair sale page and select your origin, and then you’ll see all the city pairs that are available, plus the pricing.

Icelandair fare sale

Fares start at just $999 roundtrip in business class. Google Flights doesn’t consistently show the right pricing for this sale, so you’ll want to use Icelandair’s website.

Icelandair fare sale

These fares aren’t just available to Continental Europe, but also to Iceland, the Faroe Islands, etc. If you want to maximize value, you can have a stopover in Iceland enroute to elsewhere.

The amazing value of a free stopover

One of the biggest selling points of cheap Icelandair fares isn’t even the cheap fares as such, but rather that Icelandair allows a free stopover in Iceland on a roundtrip ticket. This is a way to experience Iceland for several days while enroute to another city in Europe. These stopovers can be booked directly on Icelandair’s website.

Enjoy a free stopover in Iceland

Earning miles for Icelandair flights

If you’re looking to earn miles for your Icelandair flights, the best option is to credit to Alaska Mileage Plan. Since you’d be booking this ticket directly through Icelandair, you’d earn miles per the below Mileage Plan chart (and this is before elite mileage bonuses, which can be up to 150% for MVP Gold 100K members).

Alaska Mileage Plan mileage earning rates

A warning about Icelandair business class

Even though Icelandair’s premium product (“Saga Class”) is often referred to as business class, expect it to be more like premium economy on other airlines. These aren’t fully flat beds, but rather are seats similar to what you might find in domestic first class.

As a result, you’ll want to manage your expectations. Consider this deal either if you really want to earn Alaska miles, or if you want a stopover in Iceland. On the plus side, the flights to & from Iceland tend to be pretty short. Given the limited flights to Iceland, this will still be the most comfortable service to Iceland for much of the year (aside from some summer seasonal service from other airlines). Besides, there aren’t any practical ways to redeem miles for Icelandair’s premium cabin.

Icelandair’s Saga Class seats on the 757

Bottom line

Icelandair has some great business class fares between the United States and Europe at the moment, which allow a free stopover in Iceland. These fares are valid for winter and spring, so could be a great way to see the Northern Lights. I’m tempted to book one of these, but just need to figure out dates and where exactly I want to go…

Anyone plan to take advantage of these great Icelandair business class fares?

Conversations (12)
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  1. Christopher F. Guest

    I did fly last year business on their old 763 - 753 and new 7x8, between Amsterdam to Boston and return to Copenhagen. The product is pretty good, no flat bed as said in the article and if you have spare time why not discover a very interesting country but you must like it very cold and expensive. I have flown 329 airilines to 90 countries. I would rank it 10th.

  2. Simon Guest

    Lucky I know you’re into interesting flights, and speaking of Iceland Air, did you see this: https://www.icelandair.com/blog/icelandair-returns-to-antarctica/
    I just landed at PUQ almost the southern most parts of the world and saw a random Iceland Air plane chilling at the airport.

  3. Frank B Gold

    Actually, Icelandair has a very traditional business class. It's the traditions of the 1990's.

  4. Randy Diamond

    Hotels are expensive and I recommend renting a car. Airport is 25 miles out of town. Although there is a bus. Tours are expensive if you don't have a car. There is a Courtyard across from the airport (no shuttle) for a night if just want to connect. But it is still $400 a night.

    Not sure if this is worth it unless you wanted to plan a trip to Iceland.

  5. Brett Guest

    Have you tried to price it? I am getting $999 each way as lowest for Biz. I think this may be a one way fare.

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Brett -- I have tried to price it, as you'll see in the screenshot. Availability is limited, so you need to find a date that has availability to get that pricing. It's not available all days, and in some markets, availability is quite limited.

  6. Todd Guest

    @Steve. Ben won’t fly Iceland air, there business class doesn’t have doors

    1. rrapynot Guest

      Actually, it will depend on whether the plane has individual air nozzles.

    2. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      And avocado toast! And cappuccinos!

  7. Bitterprofit Guest

    There is often lounge access in US and European airports and the lounge in KEF is pretty nice.

    The seats are ok, and if you leave from the east coast, the flights to KEF are short. Saga Class from European airports to Iceland is much better than typical Euro Business Class seats.

    I’ve done the stopover in Reykjavik and enjoyed it don’t have any big urge to return. It’s a little desolate for me....

    There is often lounge access in US and European airports and the lounge in KEF is pretty nice.

    The seats are ok, and if you leave from the east coast, the flights to KEF are short. Saga Class from European airports to Iceland is much better than typical Euro Business Class seats.

    I’ve done the stopover in Reykjavik and enjoyed it don’t have any big urge to return. It’s a little desolate for me. But it’s definitely something to see. I took a Golden Circle tour with a smaller tour bus outfit and it was a very fun day.

    But these fares are an effective and comfortable way to get to Europe, especially if they are cheaper than or close to Premium Economy fares on other airlines because you get lounge access and a little nicer level of service (as the highest service level offered).

    Go for it.

  8. Steve Guest

    lol like Lucky would ever consider a non- lie flat seat.

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Steve -- Well, I have plans to fly Icelandair in the coming months, so...

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

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Ben Schlappig OMAAT

@ Steve -- Well, I have plans to fly Icelandair in the coming months, so...

3
Ben Schlappig OMAAT

And avocado toast! And cappuccinos!

2
Bitterprofit Guest

There is often lounge access in US and European airports and the lounge in KEF is pretty nice. The seats are ok, and if you leave from the east coast, the flights to KEF are short. Saga Class from European airports to Iceland is much better than typical Euro Business Class seats. I’ve done the stopover in Reykjavik and enjoyed it don’t have any big urge to return. It’s a little desolate for me. But it’s definitely something to see. I took a Golden Circle tour with a smaller tour bus outfit and it was a very fun day. But these fares are an effective and comfortable way to get to Europe, especially if they are cheaper than or close to Premium Economy fares on other airlines because you get lounge access and a little nicer level of service (as the highest service level offered). Go for it.

1
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