The Icelandic Guide

New Direct Flights to Keflavík International Airport in 2026

· 2 min read Travel News
Aircraft arriving at Keflavík International Airport in Iceland

Contents

  1. New and Expanded Routes for 2026
  2. Keflavík to Reykjavík: What to Know on Arrival
  3. Booking Advice

Air connectivity to Iceland has expanded noticeably for summer 2026, with several airlines adding new routes or increasing frequency on existing ones. For travellers planning a trip, this means more departure options, more price competition on transatlantic routes, and in some cases connections from cities that previously required a hub change.

New and Expanded Routes for 2026

Norse Atlantic Airways has increased capacity on its New York (JFK) and London Gatwick routes from May through September 2026. The carrier operates Boeing 787 aircraft and targets price-sensitive travellers on transatlantic routes where Icelandair is the incumbent. Fares from New York have been competitive at below USD 400 return in advance purchase windows.

United Airlines expanded its Newark–Keflavík service to a daily frequency for summer 2026, up from five times weekly in 2025. The route is popular with travellers who connect at Newark from other US cities.

Delta Air Lines resumed its JFK–Keflavík service after a schedule gap and operates the route through the summer season with SkyTeam frequent-flyer benefits applicable.

Ryanair added a Dublin–Keflavík route starting May 2026, operating twice weekly through September. This provides a low-cost option for Irish travellers and a potential connection point for UK travellers via Dublin.

Lufthansa increased Frankfurt–Keflavík to daily summer frequency, and KLM maintained its Amsterdam service, which remains one of the most popular European connecting hubs for flights from Asia and Oceania.

Keflavík to Reykjavík: What to Know on Arrival

Keflavík International Airport (IATA: KEF) is located approximately 50 km southwest of central Reykjavík. It is not served by rail. The main transfer options as of 2026:

  • Flybus / Reykjavík Excursions: Coaches timed to flight arrivals. Journey to the BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík takes approximately 45–55 minutes. Return fares approximately ISK 3,500–4,000 per person. Can be booked at the airport or in advance.
  • Airport Express / Strætó: A cheaper bus option that takes longer (approximately 60–75 minutes including stops) but costs approximately ISK 2,500 one way.
  • Taxi / private transfer: Approximately ISK 18,000–22,000 for the transfer, regardless of passenger count. Worthwhile for groups of three or more.
  • Car rental: All major rental companies operate at Keflavík. Picking up on arrival and driving directly to accommodation is practical, especially if your itinerary starts on the Reykjanes Peninsula or the south coast.

We cover the full range of transfer options in our Keflavík airport guide.

Booking Advice

For summer 2026 travel, the best fares have largely already been booked. If you are still planning, checking dates in late June and the first half of July tends to yield more availability than peak late July and August. September availability is currently still reasonable and prices are lower.

For the best fare overview, searching across Icelandair, Norse Atlantic, and the major carriers simultaneously using Google Flights or Skyscanner gives a clearer picture than checking airline sites individually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airports have direct flights to Iceland in 2026?
Keflavík International Airport (KEF) has direct connections from multiple North American cities including New York (JFK), Boston, Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, and Toronto via Icelandair, United, Delta, and Norse Atlantic. European connections include London (LHR and LGW), Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Paris, and several others. Routes and frequencies expand significantly for summer 2026.
How long is the flight from the US to Iceland?
From the US East Coast (New York, Boston), the flight to Keflavík is approximately 6–7 hours. From the Midwest (Chicago, Minneapolis), approximately 7–8 hours. From Denver, approximately 8–9 hours. From the US West Coast, there are no direct routes as of 2026 — connections through East Coast hubs or European cities are required.
Is Icelandair still the main carrier to Iceland?
Icelandair remains the dominant carrier and operates the most routes, including year-round services from multiple US and European cities. Norse Atlantic Airways competes on the transatlantic routes with lower-cost fares and added capacity in summer 2026. Several major European carriers — Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways — also fly direct to Keflavík.