Icelandair Launches Non-Stop Flights Between Reykjavik and Detroit

On May 18, Icelandair launched non-stop flights between Reykjavik (KEF) and Detroit (DTW), marking the airline’s 13th service to the United States. This move pits the Icelandic carrier against Delta Air Lines, a recent entrant in this route.

Related: Why did Icelandair pick the A321XLR?

Flight FI 873, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX (TF-ICN), took off from Keflavík International Airport (KEF) at 17:07 local time, touching down at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) at 19:06 after nearly six hours of travel.

According to Aviacionline data sourced from Cirium, Icelandair will offer 41,662 seats for the 2023 northern summer season to and from the United States.

«Our new service will serve as a significant gateway in our network, stimulating tourism and trade between Detroit and our locations. We are thrilled to bridge Detroit with Europe and eagerly anticipate welcoming new passengers,» said Bogi Nils Bogason, President and CEO of Icelandair Group.

Icelandair’s Detroit Service Schedule

• Flight FI 873 Reykjavík – Detroit KEF 16:55 – DTW 19:20 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
  Flight FI 872 Detroit – Reykjavík DTW 20:30 – KEF 06:30+1 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

The route, operated by a Boeing 737-8 equipped with 160 seats in two classes (16 Saga Class/ 144 Economy), offers fares starting from USD 560 roundtrip. The service connects to over 25 destinations in Iceland, Greenland, the UK, Scandinavia, and Continental Europe.

Icelandair’s US network includes non-stop services to Boston (BOS), Baltimore (BWI), Denver (DEN), Newark (EWR), Washington – Dulles (IAD), New York (JFK), Orlando (MCO), Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Portland (PDX), Raleigh (RDU) and Seattle – Tacoma (SEA).

«We’re prepared to reintroduce the Midwest to Iceland. We trust that the non-stop service to Iceland and convenient connections to other European cities will motivate travelers to choose DTW,» said Chad Newton, Executive Director of the Wayne County Airport Authority.