Icelandair Strengthens European Connections with New Istanbul Route
Travelers seeking to explore the captivating city of Istanbul will have a new option with Icelandair. The airline’s upcoming direct flights to Istanbul, launching next September, offer a convenient and efficient way to reach this historic destination. This new route enhances Icelandair’s network and opens up exciting travel possibilities across Asia.
passengers can benefit from the extensive networks of Icelandair and Turkish Airlines. Icelandair’s stopover program offers a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Iceland, while Turkish Airlines’ global reach provides passengers with convenient connections to a wide range of destinations.
Icelandair is expanding its network with the addition of a new route to Istanbul. Beginning September 5, 2025, the airline will operate four weekly flights between Keflavik International Airport and Istanbul Airport, with a flight duration of approximately five hours and 30 minutes on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Bogi Nils Bogason, President and CEO of Icelandair, has shared his excitement about this new service.
“I look forward to adding the great destination of Istanbul to our extensive route network and to further expand the partnership with Turkish Airlines, opening convenient connections between Iceland and the east.
“In recent years, we have seen increased interest in travel between Asia and Iceland and with these new connections, we are further strengthening our sales and distribution network. We are excited to continue reinforcing our route network as well as connecting to exciting markets for our customers and tourism in Iceland.”
Istanbul, a sprawling metropolis straddling Europe and Asia, is renowned for its rich history and diverse culture. This captivating city, bisected by the Bosporus Strait, boasts iconic landmarks such as historic mosques, fascinating museums, and the world-famous Grand Bazaar.
A New Gateway to Asia
Building upon an existing codeshare partnership, Icelandair has taken a significant step by introducing direct flights to Istanbul. This strategic move will enhance connectivity between Europe and Asia, offering travelers more convenient and efficient travel options. The airline has confirmed that the flight schedule will be aligned with Turkish Airlines‘ network to minimize travel time between the East and Iceland.
Icelandair offers passengers the opportunity to explore diverse destinations across North America and Europe, including the enchanting Faroe Islands and Greenland. With its hub at Keflavik International Airport, travelers can easily connect to a variety of destinations. Additionally, Icelandair’s CEO, Bogi Nils Bogason, has announced plans to further strengthen the airline’s partnership with Turkish Airlines, opening up even more exciting travel possibilities.
“Following the announcement we will also further expand our codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines, that was announced in summer 2023. Turkish Airlines is the airline which flies to the most countries in the world, and our schedule to Istanbul will be specially coordinated to align with Turkish Airlines flights to and from Asia and the Middle East.
“The new connection will therefore significantly reduce the total travel time from the east to Iceland, benefitting travelers on the route.”