Icelandair Launches Year-round Edinburgh–reykjavik Service To Boost Transatlantic Connectivity

Icelandair has officially landed at Edinburgh Airport, marking a significant expansion of its UK operations. The airline’s new Edinburgh – Reykjavik service, initially announced as a seasonal route, has now been upgraded to a year-round operation due to robust market demand.

The inaugural flight, operated with a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was celebrated at Edinburgh Airport with a reception and commemorative luggage tags, honouring 80 years of Icelandair flying to Scotland. The service will operate up to four times weekly, connecting Scotland’s capital with Iceland’s Keflavík International Airport and offering access to Iceland’s tourism assets as well as onward connections across North America.

The route is strategically important for both inbound and outbound markets, offering opportunities for increased leisure, VFR (visiting friends and relatives), and business travel. For the travel trade, it also introduces further potential for packaging Icelandic experiences or combining multi-stop itineraries via the airline’s established stopover program.

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Stephanie Wear, Chief Commercial Officer at Edinburgh Airport said: “It’s great to see Icelandair finally land at Edinburgh Airport. It’s the fruition of years of hard work from both sides, and we’re delighted to welcome this newest airline to Scotland’s capital – and to mark the inaugural flight by announcing the service will now extend year-round is fantastic news.

“Of course, it’s a new flight and a new airline, but it’s also a signal of new possibilities and opportunities. Icelandair provides fantastic onward travel connections to a range of destinations, and we’re always striving to make travel as seamless as possible.

“We continue to benefit from the strength of Edinburgh’s market and the confidence in it, and we look forward to a successful partnership with Icelandair that enhances our route network and supports our growth ambitions.”

Bogi Nils Bogason, President and CEO at Icelandair said: “We’re delighted to welcome Edinburgh to our network, especially as we celebrate 80 years of flying to Scotland. The new service opens up this remarkable Scottish city to even more travellers, and also offers the people of Edinburgh and surrounding areas the chance to explore Iceland and beyond. With a network of around 60 destinations, passengers can enhance their journey by taking advantage of our stopover program and enjoying a memorable stay in the Land of Ice and Fire while en route.”

“For generations, we’ve had the honour of connecting Scotland’s majestic landscapes with Iceland’s extraordinary natural wonders and far beyond. Introducing our new Edinburgh route is a testament to our long-standing commitment to Scottish travellers, and we look forward to welcoming both loyal and first-time passengers as we strengthen the bridge between our nations.”

Travel and hospitality professionals should note the route’s alignment with key travel trends: flexible booking windows, increased demand for northern destinations, and growth in cultural and nature-based tourism. The year-round frequency also provides more options for shoulder-season and winter tourism, which aligns well with Iceland’s positioning as a four-season destination.

The article Icelandair launches year-round Edinburgh–Reykjavik service to boost transatlantic connectivity first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.