The Icelandic Guide

Edelweiss Air Launches Zurich–Akureyri Direct Flights for Summer 2026

· 2 min read Travel News
Akureyri harbour and colourful buildings set against snow-capped mountains in North Iceland

Contents

  1. Why This Route Matters
  2. Who It’s For
  3. Practical Details
  4. The Bigger Picture for North Iceland

Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss Air is operating a direct seasonal route between Zurich and Akureyri (AEY) in North Iceland for summer 2026, offering eleven departures between June and August. The route gives Swiss and connecting European travellers direct access to North Iceland for the first time, bypassing Keflavik and the standard Reykjavik entry point.

Why This Route Matters

Akureyri is Iceland’s second city and the gateway to some of the country’s most compelling destinations: Lake Mývatn, the whale-watching town of Húsavík, Goðafoss waterfall, and the Highlands access routes. Travellers who arrive directly into Akureyri can build a North Iceland itinerary without spending time or money routing through Reykjavik first.

Previously, reaching Akureyri from continental Europe typically required a connection through Reykjavik (either overland — a four-hour drive — or via Icelandair’s domestic service). The Edelweiss route removes that step entirely.

Who It’s For

The route is aimed primarily at Swiss travellers and those connecting through Zurich Airport (ZRH) from other European cities. Zurich is a major hub for connections from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, France, and beyond. For travellers originating in central Europe who want to focus their Iceland trip on the north rather than the southwest, this is the most efficient routing available.

Edelweiss positions Akureyri as pairable with Reykjavik/Keflavik for a round-trip Iceland experience: fly in to Akureyri, travel south through the country’s interior, and fly home from Keflavik — or vice versa.

Practical Details

Edelweiss Air is a subsidiary of Swiss International Air Lines, part of the Lufthansa Group. Bookings are made through flyedelweiss.com. Eleven departures run across the June–August window, making this a weekly or near-weekly frequency rather than daily service — specific dates and seat availability should be confirmed at the time of booking.

Akureyri Airport is compact and efficient; car rental desks are available on arrival and the city centre is a short drive. For everything to do in the region, see our Akureyri guide.

The Bigger Picture for North Iceland

The Edelweiss route is part of a broader pattern of airlines adding direct Iceland services in 2026. Alaska Airlines launched Seattle–Keflavik nonstop service in May, WestJet added Edmonton–Keflavik from late June, and Icelandair expanded its European network with new routes to Lisbon, Venice, and Edinburgh. For a full overview of current direct connections, see our flights to Iceland guide.

The Akureyri route specifically addresses a gap that has existed for years: North Iceland’s tourism infrastructure has grown substantially, but international access has lagged behind the southwest’s connectivity. Direct European service to Akureyri — even at weekly frequency — will make it meaningfully easier for European travellers to commit to a North Iceland-focused trip.