Icelandair is becoming an increasingly popular choice for Norwegians looking to travel. The company serves Oslo and Bergen daily to Reykjavik and to various destinations in North America. In August, the airline carried 547,000 passengers, and a total of 3 million people have flown so far in 2024. This represents an increase of 21% compared to the same period last year .
– A lot of thought has gone into our product, and it is designed to ensure that those who fly Icelandair have the best possible experience of Iceland. As soon as you get on the plane, the smell should be special, there should be Icelandic music playing and you should be able to “see” the Northern Lights on board. The Icelandic experience starts there, says Bjørn Tore Larsen, sales director at Icelandair.
Islandair has been voted one of the best airlines in the world
According to passengers, Icelandair is one of the best airlines in the world. This was confirmed in late September when Icelandair was named a major five-star airline in 2024 at the APEX Global EXPO in Long Beach, California. The award is given to airlines that have excelled in a comprehensive passenger survey on the overall travel experience. For the 2024 award, APEX has documented nearly a million flights with passenger reviews on approximately 600 airlines around the world. Icelandair received the award in the Major Five Star Airline category alongside nine other airlines.
All Icelandair flights are named after Icelandic attractions
Icelandair has a large fleet of over 40 aircraft. This includes several variants of the Boeing 757, the Boeing 737 MAX and even a few variants of the De Havilland Canada Dash 8. The airline also has several Airbus A321s on order. But what’s special about each of Icelandair’s planes is that they are named after specific Icelandic attractions. Some of these names are Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe, and Þingvellir, a national park where the Icelandic parliament was founded.
The design of the plane is inspired by Icelandic nature
In addition to the unique aircraft names, Icelandair’s fleet also has a distinctive color. The aircraft livery, updated in 2022, includes new colors inspired by Icelandic nature. The new planes have a base color of midnight blue and white. However, each plane has a secondary color: boreal blue, magenta, bright blue, golden yellow, or green. These colors are inspired by the Northern Lights, which can often be seen in Iceland.
Northern lights in the plane cabin
The interior lighting of some aircraft is also partly inspired by the Northern Lights. Mood lighting in the cabin varies from blue LED lighting that mimics ice caves to moving lights that create the illusion of the Northern Lights. This is how we find the Icelandic atmosphere as soon as we cross.
Unique Icelandic food offerings
On longer flights, Icelandair serves a meal inspired by Icelandic tradition and with Icelandic ingredients. This includes žávánágsséla, an oatcake covered in jam, Icelandic chocolate and locally distilled spirits.
Icelandic treats
Additional treats are served on board on special Icelandic days. For example, buns are served on board planes that take place in Bolludagur, which is Bun Day in Iceland.
Special soundtracks on board
During the boarding process, Icelandair plays soft music. But not all travelers may know that the music played is composed and performed by local Icelandic artists. Additionally, Icelandair sponsors the popular Iceland Airwaves music festival to further support Icelandic artists.
Icelandic entertainment on board
Would you like to learn more about Iceland and perhaps watch a documentary about the country’s shopping experiences, activities, health and wellness offerings or culinary experiences? Another unique offering on board Icelandair flights is the entertainment selection. In addition to broadcasting regular TV shows and movies, the In Flight Entertainment system also offers several Icelandic films and documentaries.
“We speak Icelandic”
The Icelandic language is unique and is also clearly reflected in Icelandair’s branding. You’ll hear Icelandic throughout your journey with Icelandair – and not just in on-board announcements, but also on the cups and napkins handed out on flights that have various Icelandic phrases on them. But fear not; Of course, the staff also speaks English. And maybe they even understand a little Norwegian?
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