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RT Seattle to Stockholm - fly through U.S. or Canada in September?

Posted by on

I am about to make my 3rd work trip to Stockholm from my home base in Seattle and am wondering if anyone has advice about which U.S. or Canadian city I should fly through. On the first trip I flew Seattle>Amsterdam>Stockholm>Frankfurt>Vancouver, B.C. >Seattle. It wasn't bad, but going through 2 different country custom check points on the way home meant I needed at least 3 hours to make my connecting flight from Vancouver, B.C. to Seattle (yes, I could have drove home faster!).

On the 2nd trip I returned through La Guardia, NY and thought I was going to lose my mind from the incredible chaos there. Any suggestions for a quieter return trip? I would rather have a longer trip home through a less hectic airport than a faster return through NYC or Chicago, for example.

I'm traveling in mid-September 2015. Thanks for any insights!

Posted by
4100 posts

Why don't you return through Amsterdam? I don't see a big price difference in this one stop return flight.

Posted by
2980 posts

Have you considered Iceland Air? Believe they offer a one-stop flt from Seattle to Stockholm and return with a short stop in Reykjavik. Might be a cost-effective, not to mention more relaxing, alternative to going via a US or Canadian gateway city.

Posted by
2 posts

I checked flights through Reykjavik and found some great deals. Thanks for the suggestions!

Posted by
740 posts

7 hours and 15 minutes on a 757 from Seattle to Reykjavik? No thanks.

Posted by
2679 posts

Why not look at Norwegian Air? You can go Seattle to LAX, Oakland, Las Vegas or Fort Lauderdale and then nonstop into Stockholm. They fly the 787 Dreamliner, I believe. Their prices are fabulous and maybe so low that your employer might spring for Premium Econ! I just did Immigration at LAX and they have the new computer scanners you stop at first and it was very very quick - I mean less than 15 minutes. I don't know for Oakland - it's a small airport but I don't know how much Customs and Immigration staff they have.

Posted by
491 posts

"7 hours and 15 minutes on a 757 from Seattle to Reykjavik? No thanks."

Feeling so glad I bought tickets on Icelandair for my first trip abroad now. :P

-- Mike

Posted by
2980 posts

For info, Economy class seat dimensions in Iceland Air's 757's are virtually identical to those of the other major carriers to Europe, so there's not much difference to be had there unless you spring for premium economy. What is different is the comfort, convenience and quality of the experience as rated by frequent travelers on sites like Travelocity - Icelandair routinely rates an "Excellent" for most its flights across the pond.
Also, the flight via Reykjavik only takes about 11 hours - a saving of several hours versus the other major carriers.

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