As Iceland’s flag carrier is planning to introduce its new Airbus A321LRs
on routes to the US, more destinations could be added to its network in the coming months. Icelandair
previously announced it would fly the long-range aircraft to Seattle, and is now rumored to be scheduled on four additional routes in 2026.
Growing the network?
Simple Flying previously reported that the carrier will fly to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) up to three times daily with the A321LR this summer. Tómas Ingason, Chief Commercial Officer at Icelandair, revealed the Seattle route has been performing “tremendously well” due in part to the carrier’s relationship with home carrier Alaska Airlines
.
AeroRoutes reported on Tuesday that Icelandair plans to deploy the A321LR to Miami, Newark, New York-JFK, Orlando, and Portland beginning this Fall and in early 2026. However, Simple Flying has verified that the airline has yet to confirm the routes. In a statement, a spokesperson explained that the carrier is working to add the aircraft to more destinations, but a list of destinations has not been completed.
“Our initial plan is to utilize the LR on shorter European routes for familiarization flights. In the coming months we plan to introduce the LR on North American destinations, initially replacing the 757‘s on routes like for example SEA for summer 2025.”
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According to AeroRoutes’ report, the flight to and from Miami will run three times weekly, operating westbound on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and eastbound on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at the following times:
|
Flight Number |
Departure |
Arrival |
|---|---|---|
|
FI 691 |
Reykjavík–Keflavík – 17:15 |
Miami – 20:55 |
|
FI 690 |
Miami – 17:15 |
Reykjavík–Keflavík – 05:55 (the following morning) |
Photo: GCmap
Interestingly, the plane would have to remain overnight in Miami and then spend additional time at the airport for almost an entire day. While not ideal in terms of aircraft utilization, the timing would allow passengers from Florida to connect at Reykjavík’s Keflavik International Airport
(KEF) onward across Icelandair’s European network to destinations such as Lisbon and Greenland.
Should Icelandair fly to Miami, it would be the carrier’s first time. Elsewhere in Florida, the airline briefly served Tampa before the pandemic, while service to Orlando has continued to operate year-round.
Where else is the A321LR flying?
Speaking of Orlando International Airport
, AeroRoutes also indicated that Icelandair has plans to begin flying its newest aircraft to the gateway to the Happiest Place on Earth in December of this year. Based on scheduling data from Cirium (which only extends to the end of this year), the plane might not be the regular equipment on the route. However, current data shows it will operate at least one flight on December 19th.
To Portland International Airport
(PDX) in Oregon, the A321LR is rumored to operate seasonally four times a week from October to January 2026. The addition does not come as a surprise, given the route is currently operated by the Boeing 757.
Photo: Icelandair
Following the City of Roses will be the Big Apple – receiving two sets of A321LR flights to Iceland, according to AeroRoutes. Icelandair is rumored to operate its first flight with the type on its route to John F. Kennedy International Airport
(JFK) on January 5, 2026. The following day, service to Newark Liberty International Airport
(EWR) is expected to commence.Icelandair took delivery of its first Airbus aircraft in 87 years of operating on December 3rd. The A321LR aircraft is the first of three scheduled for delivery before summer 2025 and seats 187 passengers, 22 in Saga Premium and 165 in economy class. The planes are replacements for Icelandair’s 757s, which have been the backbone of the airline’s fleet for decades.
Photo: Dillon Shah | Simple Flying
The airline is also expecting to take delivery of 13 Airbus A321XLRs beginning in 2029. The aircraft will allow Icelandair to expand its network even further, with destinations in California and Texas belived to be the top contenders.
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The news comes as Icelandair wraps up a record-breaking 2024. The carrier flew 4.7 million passengers, up 9% from 2023. It began service to four new destinations (Innsbruck, Faroe Islands, Pittsburgh, and Lisbon, plus a return to Halifax), and announced two new destinations for 2025 (Nashville and Istanbul, plus a return to Gothenburg).
The carrier also signed historic codeshare partnerships with global airlines such as Emirates, TAP Portugal, Air Greenland, Atlantic Airways, and ITA Airways.
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