Iceland is a gorgeous country that’s well worth a visit, but flying there typically isn’t very luxurious. Outside of seasonal flights on some carriers from the United States, there’s not much flat bed service to the country (Icelandair’s premium cabin is more comparable to domestic first class in the US).
Well, that’s finally set to change, as Air China is launching flights to Iceland… and you don’t even have to be coming from China to take the flight!
In this post:
Air China adds Copenhagen to Keflavik fifth freedom flight
Air China plans to launch flights to Iceland, making it the first Asian carrier to serve the country. The flight won’t be nonstop from China, but instead, will be a “direct” fifth freedom route. Specifically as of October 26, 2026, the airline plans to launch 3x weekly flights from Beijing (PEK) to Copenhagen (CPH) to Keflavik (KEF), with the following schedule:
CA807 Beijing to Copenhagen departing 3:30AM arriving 6:30AM
CA807 Copenhagen to Keflavik departing 8:45AM arriving 11:15AM
CA808 Keflavik to Copenhagen departing 1:45PM arriving 5:55PM
CA808 Copenhagen to Beijing departing 8:30PM arriving 12:20PM (+1 day)
Air China will use an Airbus A330-300 for the route, featuring 301 seats, including 30 business class seats and 271 economy class seats. Business class is in a 2-2-2 configuration, with flat beds.
While the entire journey between Beijing and Keflavik covers a distance of 5,820 miles, the journey between Copenhagen and Keflavik covers a distance of 1,337 miles. This is a fifth freedom flight, so Air China has both pickup and drop-off rights, meaning you can fly the airline exclusively between the two countries.
I’m actually shocked it took this long for an airline from China to fly to Iceland. During my visit late last year, I was surprised by the high percentage of visitors who seemed to be from China, given the lack of direct service.
This is the most luxurious year-round way to fly to Iceland
Typically when people think of “luxury” airlines, Air China isn’t the first carrier that comes to mind. However, I think it’s interesting to note that Air China will be the only airline to offer year-round service to Iceland on a plane with flat beds.
We see seasonal flights to Iceland with flat beds (particularly on airlines from the United States), but that’s it. I’d definitely be interested in taking this flight between Copenhagen and Keflavik in the future, especially if the fare is right, or if there’s award availability. Talk about an unexpected way to fly between those two destinations!
Bottom line
Air China is launching service to Iceland, thanks to a new Beijing to Copenhagen to Keflavik route. The new service will launch in late October 2026, and will be operated by an Airbus A330, with flat beds in business class.
It’s not surprising to finally see a link between China and Iceland, given visitor numbers. Even for the rest of us, Air China offers a nice ride between Denmark and Iceland, so I look forward to taking this flight at some point.
What do you make of Air China’s new Iceland service?
Don't get too geopolitical folks, just another airline expand their routes, and we're all in this blog cause we love flying. Now there's a chance I could redeem my Aeroplan points flying from Iceland to Beijing, wow, what an interesting route... And possibly stopover at Copenhagen for a few days... Now, that's a fun route. I am ready to fly this route come October, forget the b. S. Politics, we avid flyers are second tired of it...
Hi Lucky
Sorry - off topic - but I’ve noticed the recent addition of the new ads is very annoying.
The page constantly keeps refreshing on mobile and the ads load 20-30 seconds after I’m scrolling down which makes reading quite difficult.
There are also so many ads now :(
Hope you can look into fixing this. Thanks
Have you tried ‘dealing with it’? The man needs to pay the bills ‘round’ere. Bah!
You can fix it yourself, Alex. The remedies are not a secret. I find it astounding that there are internet users still complaining about ads in this day and age. Get with the times, man.
Pete, maybe Alex is an Old-School internet purist. Think, if this were film, he probably wants to see The Odyssey as Nolan intended, the full IMAX, not on a silly smartphone or months later on an AVOD/IFE screen, like on an aging 15-year-old Delta 737-900ER. Psh. Not a chance. Likewise, he doesn’t like ad-blockers because he wants OMAAT as Ben intended, filled with pop-ups!
The Chinese government owns the controlling interest in Air China, and this is an example of how they use it to further their diplomatic objectives. As the US tries to alienate Denmark, with irrational attempts to buy Greenland or threats to invade it, China can play the role of adult in one of NATO's rooms. Should this matter to American ticket buyers? Should they at least be reminded of it?
"You have said the actual truth..." (November 2023). Fifth-freedom route to a trendy vacation spot? No. Fifth-dimension chess! Uh oh, CCP is not gonna like that you cracked their secret code. Wake up, sheeple!
Correct. As US soft power diminishes because of America First, the Chinese have gleefully stepped-up to fill the void. This is glaringly evident in African countries, and they're trying it on in the South Pacific too. A nation's power is not only measured in missiles and stealth bombers. The Chinese know that all to well, but the United States appears to have forgotten.
Wait, but, PeteAU, we were all (in the US) told that Daddy Trump is ‘tough on China (and Russia!)’ Now we don’t know who to believe… /s
Sorry, again, friends and former allies. Anyway, back to the mass-shootings, measles, and explosive diarrhea for us… take care Down Under!
I’m just finishing up a trip to Namibia (fantastic country!), and there was some fanfare about the president finishing up a visit to China. A lot of Chinese money in the country large (capital projects that are hard to pay back) and small (I stayed in a B&B that was owned be a Chinese national with clear Chinese influence including a book about Xi JinPing as a coffee table book).
And yes, lots of...
I’m just finishing up a trip to Namibia (fantastic country!), and there was some fanfare about the president finishing up a visit to China. A lot of Chinese money in the country large (capital projects that are hard to pay back) and small (I stayed in a B&B that was owned be a Chinese national with clear Chinese influence including a book about Xi JinPing as a coffee table book).
And yes, lots of Chinese money in the South Pacific. Living in Hawaii, know a number of Pacific Islanders from Polynesia and Micronesia and there are a bunch that own business (and therefore have money) in those countries as well.
weekendsurfer, that's great you visited Namibia! Not too far from SA; did you make it to Sossusvlei? If so, did you hike Big Daddy? Quite different from Hawaii... unless you count the sand hills on Maui...
It’s been a long time since I last visited Iceland (over 10 years), but I was very surprised to see a huge number of Chinese tourists at the Blue Lagoon when I went. Didn’t expect that!
'..play the role of adult..'
Love to hear what Pinoys, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Indians, Japanese, South Koreans think about that statement. But mostly, I'd love to hear what Tibetans would have to say..
John, let’s not leave out the Uyghurs, or have they all been re-educated into submission as of this date?
Keep quaffing the Kool Aid, my friends!
Indopithecus, I will pardon your ignorance, because I realize you’re from the Late Miocene, but… it was Flavor Aid (Jonestown), not Kool Aid (“Oh yeah!”)
What Kool-Aid is that? America's retreat from the world stage is a gift to China. Anyone but the most ideologically blinded nincompoop can see that. It's common sense - when the aid is marked "A gift from the People's Republic of China" instead of "A gift from the United States of America", or the consultants/teachers/advisers suddenly have Chinese accents instead of American accents, loyalties begin to shift. As I said, this is blindingly obvious to...
What Kool-Aid is that? America's retreat from the world stage is a gift to China. Anyone but the most ideologically blinded nincompoop can see that. It's common sense - when the aid is marked "A gift from the People's Republic of China" instead of "A gift from the United States of America", or the consultants/teachers/advisers suddenly have Chinese accents instead of American accents, loyalties begin to shift. As I said, this is blindingly obvious to anyone who has even the slightest idea what they're talking about.
PeteAU, ironically, I've seen more "From the People of Japan" overseas these days (including on a recent visit to Cambodia). Yes, humanitarian aide is a great source of soft-power. Wish we (the US) had not abandoned it.
What do all the countries you mentioned, have in common? China is their biggest trading partner. (For Taiwan, it goes back and forth between China and US.) So, what's your point?
Good point, Ross. Maybe they shouldn’t be trading with a bully after-all. Time to restart domestic manufacturing! Have some national pride. Buy local. Who needs Temu anyway! Besides, Vietnam makes most of the Nikes now anyway.
Iceland is not the same as Greenland.
Iceland is much like Greenland when it comes to Trumperialism. U.S. Ambassador to Iceland nominee Billy Long sparked a diplomatic uproar in January 2026 by joking that Iceland would become the 52nd U.S. state and he would be its governor.
Ross, agreed; it's shameful, it's short-sighted, it's a strategic blunder the way this current administration is treating our (former?) allies in North America, Europe, and around the world. It could take literal generations to repair, if ever. Not sure where you're based, but sorry, regardless. Obviously, not all Americans are in-favor of this; no country is a monolith. Many are doing what we can to reclaim the ideals and promises of our country. We have...
Ross, agreed; it's shameful, it's short-sighted, it's a strategic blunder the way this current administration is treating our (former?) allies in North America, Europe, and around the world. It could take literal generations to repair, if ever. Not sure where you're based, but sorry, regardless. Obviously, not all Americans are in-favor of this; no country is a monolith. Many are doing what we can to reclaim the ideals and promises of our country. We have our next major elections in about 101 days (Midterms). Even so, may take at least 2 more years before any real change. Buckle up.
@1990 Yes, elections in three months and then in two years. Does the party with the most votes, win control of Congress? Often, not. Does the candidate with the most votes win the Presidency? Often, not. If you want to find democracy, look for it in a dictionary, not in the US.
Yeah, Jesse, can we do a country name-swap, please. Like, start calling Greenland 'Ice-land' and Iceland 'Green-land' (or Volcano-land, or Fire-land, etc.)
I happened to notice the other day that there doesn’t seem to be any non-stop service between KEF & MAD. Iceland Air flies to a few Spanish cities, but only Med coast and Canaries.
That's probably because normal Icelandic people are trying to avoid holy inquisition freaks and everything else Madrid has to offer, including extreme heat and thiefs.
Well said, Johanna. "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"
Johanna you are meant to ingest your medication, not snort it up your boomer and deformed nostrils.
Dr. Lemd, at this rate, why not recommend a suppository... *shivers*
Iberia Express has a redeye several times a week.
I fully expect J awards will be available on that route. That 3-hour flight in a flat-bed will cost you 22,500 Aeroplan points, which is a much better deal than what UA would charge (45,000 UA miles).
The Air Canada points angle would be brilliant, if true.
It’s not that premium really. And the times are rubbish going West.
One more thought: Isn't this a bit of a weird timing to launch KEF? Who in their right mind wants to go to Iceland in October (I've made that mistake once myself)? I'd expect this to be a seasonal summer route.
They may be doing this year-round (like, not just seasonal), and it's just starting it then.
Something that would be interesting is if United offered J bookable using United MileagePlus miles for KEF-CPH. Like, if you already had a trip to Iceland planned and wanted to continue to Europe. Or, if you're based in Europe (like LH Miles & More redemptions, too) and visiting Iceland, etc.
I have been to Iceland multiple times in October and November. It's lovely, less crowded, and absolutely gorgeous in the north.
Well, as we visited Iceland this year in June, I can tell you that temp varied between 2c and 10c, with rain, some vertical, and snow one day. But that's why god invented waterproof jackets an thermal pants.
Weather didn't dampen our experiences, the friendliness of the people, the cold, stark, landscape, or the food.
alan, so glad the weather didn't stop you for an amazing time!
I was in Iceland last week, I spent 2 weeks there, all around the country. I was shocked, often astonished, and frequently depressed at how crowded and over-touristed the place was. Yes, the scenery is often beautiful and dramatic (also bleak and desolate for vast stretches). But all the major tourist spots are incredibly crowded.
There are plenty of Chinese tourists there already, they are quite visible. Add this is the mix...and it's going to...
I was in Iceland last week, I spent 2 weeks there, all around the country. I was shocked, often astonished, and frequently depressed at how crowded and over-touristed the place was. Yes, the scenery is often beautiful and dramatic (also bleak and desolate for vast stretches). But all the major tourist spots are incredibly crowded.
There are plenty of Chinese tourists there already, they are quite visible. Add this is the mix...and it's going to be awful. A perfect and sad example of how too many tourists can ruin what was 9until recently) a great place to visit.
In my experience, Iceland's pretty chill. There is a lot of overtourism but it's very similar to the rest of Europe in that it seems to concentrate to a small number places everyone goes too (gold circle etc) and as long as you avoid those tourist traps, there's a ton of stunning places available where you're almost alone. Plus, if I go in the summer, I make use of the polar day and concentrate my activities between 20:00 and 6:00 which helps even further.
TLDR - Only I should be entitled to visit beautiful places. Other people should stay at home and close their eyes
Indy, I'd've gone with... *punch* "No ticket!"
Awesome. Great way to try an exotic airline, especially since I'm avoiding them for trips to Asia (safety concerns over using Russian airspace). I hope the fares will be decent enough.
Not sure I follow your rationale re. Russian airspace. Why would the Russian shoot a Chinese plane?
My own take is the reverse: Chinese airlines may be the safest airlines right now (in that aspect at least) cause no one is stupid enough to shoot a Chinese plane down and hope to get away with it...
@Celbrian - I'm not talking about intentional shootdkwn, or even a shootdown in general. But there may always be a divert etc and I have no intention of finding myself under Russian jurisdiction in any circumstances.
Samo, if you do proceed with CA, the most 'exotic' thing may be that all Chinese commercial airlines routinely have in-flight security officers. Unlike 'Western' air marshals who typically travel incognito (plainclothes), the security personnel on Chinese carriers are usually visibly identifiable. They typically wear a variation of the airline uniform (darker colored) and use body-worn or chest-mounted video cameras to monitor cabin activity during boarding and throughout the flight. Flights usually feature an automated...
Samo, if you do proceed with CA, the most 'exotic' thing may be that all Chinese commercial airlines routinely have in-flight security officers. Unlike 'Western' air marshals who typically travel incognito (plainclothes), the security personnel on Chinese carriers are usually visibly identifiable. They typically wear a variation of the airline uniform (darker colored) and use body-worn or chest-mounted video cameras to monitor cabin activity during boarding and throughout the flight. Flights usually feature an automated pre-recorded security announcement, after the safety demonstration, informing passengers of the presence of an on-board security officer.
Air China's Beijing – Bucharest – Zagreb flight also seems fun.
https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/260702-casep26eu
I’m sure most passengers will originate in Denmark / Europe. Not sure of the volume ex China l. Will be quite bizarre to lol. And at least covered by ec261.
Yes!! EC261! Woohoo!
If starting out of CPH airport, this flight will require dealing with whatever long, slow nightmare there is at Schengen exit passport control line at Copenhagen airport plus Schengen entry passport control in Iceland?
Yes, like any other fifth freedom flight in Schengen does. Not really an issue for EU citizens.
But a big problem for non-EU/non-EEA citizens — even for those third-country nationals exempted from EES at Schengen passport control.
And if those passengers stuck at passport control have checked-in bags at CPH, it may involve a delay to the flight since the airline is required to offload loaded bags for passengers who are not on board the plane and get classified as “voluntary separations” even when its passport control-related.
Good point both Denmark and Iceland are in Schengen
Does this mean all passengers need to clear immagration in Copenhagen or how does this work?
@Lepetitbelge: All existing flights that operate this way are essentially considered extra-territorial, and operate as non-Schengen flights, incl. arriving and departing from relevant parts of the airport. Customers on these flights must therefore indeed clear immigration at both ends. These flights are also not accessible to people who are in Schengen on a single visit visa.
@samo thank you for the clarification
I know that you absolutely hate CPH - but why don’t you connect in other airports then?
The passport thing is Schengen wide and a non-issue for EU passport holder
For US passport holder my tears are very dry indeed. Keeping in mind how many hours I have spend in inefficient US immigration lines - and lost several connections. Tide is reversing
I suspect there's not even a need to carry a passport as the relevant national identity cards are sufficient for entering/exiting the Schengen zone
Yes, ID cards are okay for EU(+) citizens.
A lot of Swede’s drivers licenses are not national ID for purposes of Schengen passport control even though many incorrectly assume they are national ID for this purpose too. And given about third to a half of Sweden’s entire population has originated or terminated a trip at CPH airport, will be interesting to see how this goes for those who assume NPU applies for a flight that they don’t realize involves passport control.
This has nothing to do with loving or hating CPH.
The CPH passport control mess is causing EU citizens problems too. When third country nationals with checked luggage are stuck at passport control, the flights from CPH are at increased risk of being delayed waiting for stuck passengers or for offloading passenger bags.
Danish-owned SAS isn’t happy about the situation at CPH passport control.
This is why the Taiwan needs Greenland : China Air is encroaching .
Ah, yes, "the" Taiwan. (That's what Xi said.)