We think we will be flying with Icelandic for the first time. I am just wondering if there are any tips about buying tickets, ticket types, and using the airline in general.
We see the economy seat have a 22 pound limit for the carry on. We don't know if that would work or not, so any advice would be welcome.
Get the cheapest ticket with just one connecting flight and include travel insurance. Pay to checkin the bag or make the weight limit for the carry ons. And if they charge to select a seat in advance don't do it just let the system default to choose the seat for you; checkin as soon as the 24 hour window opens online; and checkin everyone on your PNR AKA itinerary at the same time so the seats are more likely together.
A 22-lb carry-on limit doesn't strike me as unusual, it would be a full 22-inch bag. Unless you're carrying weights or books or something. Packing as light as you can, whether you check or carry on your main bag, makes for an easier trip.
We've flown Icelandair several times to Europe and plan to again this spring. They do a good job. They use narrow-body jets which aren't perhaps as comfortable as the wide-bodies others use, more comparable to domestic flights. The short layover in Reykjavik has been adequate in our experience -- it's a small compact airport, very well organized to move hundreds of people through the hub between Europe and North America in a short time window, twice a day.
Unlike the nonstop carriers, but like domestic carriers, they do charge for meals. So you may want to bring your own food on board or be prepared to buy from the airline. To me, this is an acceptable tradeoff for cheaper flights.
If you sleep well on flights (there must be some who do), the interruption to change at Reykjavik would be a disadvantage. I wish I had this problem. ;-)
WOW airline has really good prices.
(Scotland to Reykjavik $89 one way.....)
The name Icelandic was retired at least 20 years ago.
It’s a real airline, not a discount airline, except for no free food (children get free food) and no free booze.
There are a few markets where cheap seats are sold that don’t include a free bag or seat selection, but most markets don’t have these.
There are now wide body jets on some legs. This summer we will fly Stockholm to Minneapolis and both legs are 767s. I’ll bet Dick’s upcoming Seattle flight is a 767.
Have flown with IcelandAir numerous times now. You get to check a bag for free if you like, even with economy seats. You get to choose your seat for free too. Bring your own meal or you can buy their over-priced very limited menu items. No free food. Bring your own ear-phones so you don't have to buy them. Entertainment is free. Water, soft drinks, coffee, tea are free. Booze will cost you. Just one aisle, so service is quick as is deplaning. The airport is small and they do end up holding planes for other delayed planes, so don't worry if your layover is only 50 min. Use the WC on the plane before arrival so you don't have to look for them in the airport.
Personally, I find their seats to be quite comfortable, but I am only 168cm/ 5'6".
22 lb. for a carry-on is quite a lot, and that is your average sized wheeled carry on bag. I wear a messenger bag too, and it all fits just fine.
For some reason Icelandair flies two 757s a day from Seattle, not one 767, so only single aisles that market, but there are wide bodies in the fleet.
I am larger than most and I found the economy seat to be fine. I was very pleased with Icelandair last year and am taking it again this year. The only thing I dislike is that my wife insists on staying a few days in Iceland which I enjoy but is a hit to the budget. 😀😀
Minority report on KEF airport facilities: don't be surprised on needing to go up & down several stairways (including from the plane). BTW, the easiest to find WCs are in the basement (more stairs if the single elevator is slow). And expect to stand in crowded hallways (very few chairs) with folks from several other flights while waiting for your connecting airplane. Both of these may not be a big deal for many people, but could be an issue for those who are mobility-limited.
We have flown them many times and will be again this summer. The 22 pound weight carry on has never been an issue and this is the only luggage we bring for traveling plus a small backpack for an iPad or something. We also love the option of upgrading to economy comfort or Saga class. A day or two before your scheduled flight they send you an option to bid on un upgrade. So far we have always go it.
Minority report on KEF airport facilities: don't be surprised on needing to go up & down several stairways (including from the plane). BTW, the easiest to find WCs are in the basement (more stairs if the single elevator is slow). And expect to stand in crowded hallways (very few chairs) with folks from several other flights while waiting for your connecting airplane. Both of these may not be a big deal for many people, but could be an issue for those who are mobility-limited.
This is a very good point, I was also surprised by all the stairs we went up and down. And it was indeed very crowded, a lot of standing around with no seating available. As you said, probably no problem for many people but something to consider if you have mobility issues or cannot carry your bag up and down stairs.
