Hello Travelers, I've checked in w/luggage to Iceland Air at CDG in the past and the way its organized is something I would like to avoid. I know that they have some kiosks for getting boarding passes, does anyone remember if I only have a carry on bag do I still have to go through that crazy line to get to a check in counter or will the kiosk be good enough? Thanks, Tom.
You will know if they allow you to checkin online 24hours before the flight.
Usually when flying back to the USA there is additional screening that prohibits the use of kiosks and online check-in. It is all security related.
I believe that the one and only time I flew on Icelandair from CDG a few years ago that Icelandair didn't show up on the kiosk and we had to wait until a desk opened up and a line formed. But I don't remember whether on-line check-in wasn't available, or whether I just didn't have on-line access the day before.
I've flown home from CDG on Iceland Air with just a carry on. The check-in counters at CDG don't open early. When I first got there, it looked like I'd have to stand in the line with everyone checking bags. Off to one side, however, are some kiosks that aren't very conspicuous where you can get your boarding pass. I think I got in line for a minute before noticing the kiosks nearby. It was hard to tell if they were for Iceland Air but I figured it was worth a shot - and they were. That was October 2017 or June 2018 (both round trips were on Iceland Air but one went through Orly), they may have changed since then.
I've also taken a couple round trips with WOW Air, when they were still operating. Both of those went into CDG. I did have to stand in line, behind those checking luggage, on at least one of those return flights for a boarding pass.
I believe the reason you can use kiosks for your boarding pass is your flight is to Iceland, another Schengen country, so it's treated like a domestic flight. For whatever reason, I didn't end up waiting in line behind everyone checking their bags. They may have called me up at the gate to check my bag and/or passport. It's happened often but I can't recall if Iceland Air did or not.
Passport check in Iceland is a great reason to use Iceland Air. On your way to Europe it takes, at most, a couple minutes to have your passport stamped in Iceland before catching your connecting flight. If you have only a carry on, you get off the plane in any Schengen country and go straight to ground transportation.
On the way home, I've been happy with Mobile Passport. They have a pay option now that saves your passport information. I don't see any good reason to pay, you can just photo your passport again on your next trip. If you don't already have Global Entry, try using the Mobile Passport app.