Icelandair is set to expand its network further east next summer with the introduction of a new route to Istanbul. Commencing on Sept. 5, 2025, the airline will be operating four flights per week between Reykjavik Keflavik Airport (KEF) and Istanbul Airport (IST) utilizing Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The flight duration is estimated to be around 5 hours and 30 minutes. Istanbul will become Icelandair’s easternmost destination due to the temporary suspension of its Tel Aviv service, which has been on hold since October 2023 following the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In addition to the new route, Icelandair has also announced an expansion of its codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines, which was initially revealed in the summer of 2023. The schedules for the new route to IST have been strategically coordinated to align with Turkish Airlines’ flights to and from Asia and the Middle East. Icelandair’s President and CEO, Bogi Nils Bogason, expressed that the airline has observed a growing interest in travel between Asia and Iceland, and these new connections will enhance their sales and distribution network.
Currently, there are no direct flights between Iceland and Turkey based on data from OAG Schedules Analyser. However, Icelandic low-cost carrier Play is planning to introduce a weekly service between KEF and Antalya during the summer of 2025. This move aligns with Icelandair’s expansion plans as the airline prepares to introduce its first Airbus A321LR aircraft. The inaugural flights using this aircraft type will commence on Dec. 10, with services to Copenhagen Airport and Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
Following the initial launch, A321LR service to London Heathrow Airport is scheduled to begin on Dec. 23, with flights to Oslo Airport starting the next day. The carrier’s first North American flights utilizing the A321LR are anticipated to start in May 2025, with operations to Seattle and Toronto. This expansion signifies Icelandair’s commitment to enhancing its route network and providing passengers with more travel options to various destinations.