Icelandair to Launch First Airbus A321LR in Europe and North America

Icelandair is ready to turn a page in its aviation story as it prepares to debut its new Airbus A321LR fleet from Reykjavik (KEF) to destinations across Europe and North America.

This winter and beyond, the carrier will introduce its first-ever Airbus aircraft to key routes, offering a sleek new experience for travelers while marking a significant shift from Icelandair’s storied reliance on Boeing’s 757s.

Photo: Icelandair, Airbus A321neo. Courtesy of Airbus

Starting December 10, according to Ishrion Aviation, Icelandair’s first A321LR will serve Copenhagen (CPH) and Stockholm (ARN), with service to London Heathrow (LHR) and Oslo (OSL) soon following in late December.

Destinations like Dublin (DUB) and Toronto (YYZ) join the roster in early 2025, with major North American and European destinations, including Seattle (SEA), Berlin (BER), Paris (CDG), and Barcelona (BCN), welcoming the aircraft through the summer months.

Full A321LR route network:

For European routes, the new aircraft will largely complement the existing Boeing 737 MAX, 757, and 767 aircraft fleet, but Seattle’s three daily flights are set to fully transition to the A321LR by June 2025.

The transition to Airbus marks a pivotal step in Icelandair’s fleet evolution, particularly as the airline gradually phases out its aging 757s.

Icelandair’s Airbus A321LR route map. Graphic: Courtesy of greatcirclemap.com / Markus Englund

CEO Bogi Nils Bogason saw this move as an opportunity to boost Icelandair’s operational flexibility and sustainability goals. “We are happy to announce that we have now reached a conclusion regarding Icelandair’s future fleet,” Bogason said during the fleet change announcement in July 2023. “The capable and fuel-efficient Airbus aircraft, A321XLR and A321LR, will become the successors of the Boeing 757 we are gradually retiring.”

Photo: Courtesy of Enrique Perrella

This shift to Airbus also represents a strategic pivot that wasn’t made lightly. As Bogason pointed out, the 757s have been the backbone of Icelandair’s transatlantic hub strategy, connecting North America and Europe through Reykjavik for more than three decades.

In a conversation with Business Traveler, he reflected on the 757’s legacy while noting the high performance of Boeing’s 737 MAX on long routes like Denver and Orlando despite range limitations. “The 737 MAX has been overperforming,” Bogason explained, but its range still falls short of fully replacing the 757’s capabilities.

Icelandair CEO Bogi Nils Bogason / Photo: Courtesy of Icelandair

Enter the A321LR and A321XLR, each boasting impressive reach—up to 4,000 and 4,700 nautical miles, respectively—opening new doors for Icelandair’s network growth.

The aircraft’s introduction will allow Icelandair to explore new markets, including Portland (PDX) and Tenerife (TFS), set to launch in late 2025.

What to Expect?

Travelers flying on the A321LR can expect a contemporary cabin experience with a new range of hard-product upgrades.

The A321LR will offer 22 Business Class (Saga) and 165 Economy Class seats, providing an upgraded passenger experience, enhanced fuel efficiency, and longer-range capabilities.

As is standard across the airline’s fleet, the new planes will feature business class recliner seats instead of flatbed seats. These seats provide extra legroom and are complemented by Icelandair’s premium catering service.

Photo: Icelandair, Boeing 767-300ER Saga Premium. Courtesy of Enrique Perrella.

Looking forward, Icelandair’s bold move with Airbus highlights its ambition to redefine the future of transatlantic travel via its reliable connecting hub in the mid North Atlantic. This effort blends modern efficiency with Iceland’s unique geographic advantage, promising passengers a seamless journey across continents.