Traveling from major airports in the USA, it's now easier to book nonstop flights to Reykjavik as the demand is met by many global airlines. With Iceland's growing popularity, travelers are looking for direct flights to Reykjavik, saving them the hassle of connections and layovers.
Recent data on Reykjavik's tourism show a 29% increase in the number of travelers visiting Reykjavik. This has been due to its dramatic natural landscape, aurora displays, and volcanoes. There has been a rise in culinary, adventure, and leisure tourism, and travelers from Europe and America have found Reykjavik an ideal destination for these pursuits.
Flying from the USA to Reykjavik was once a long journey with layovers and connections. In recent years, many carriers have offered nonstop service on the route, which not only saves time but also provides a much more convenient way to travel year-round.
Airport Serving Flights to Reykjavik
For international travelers, Keflavík International Airport is the major arrival point. Data published by the Icelandic Tourist Board indicates that
Approximately 650,000 U.S. travelers fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF) annually, making the United States the largest single source of tourism for Iceland. The Icelandic Tourist Board highlights the impact of American visitors. KEF handles about 2.25-2.3 million foreign tourists per year. And the number increases during the summer season, with more than 52,000 departures for U.S. travelers only.
Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is 1.9 mi from Keflavík and 30 mi from the capital, Reykjavik.
US Cities with Nonstop Flights to Reykjavik
Flying via a direct flight to Reykjavik, you get many options with airlines flying out of major cities in the USA. Let us discuss some of the most popular flight routes you can consider to fly to Reykjavik.
New York to Reykjavik Flights
One of the busiest transatlantic leisure routes operates out of New York; around 274,336 travelers were recorded on the route from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Keflavík International Airport (KEF) annually (Isavia Passenger Statistics). Flights from NYC to KEF are in high demand largely because Reykjavik works as both a destination and a popular stopover hub to continental Europe. With 55 flights per week, travelers often prefer the route for its better connections and flight options. Flights to Reykjavik are easily available from JFK and Newark, and it is also one of the shortest European routes. If we compare flight times, New York to Reykjavik is closer than to Los Angeles or San Francisco.
- New York to Reykjavik Flight duration: 5h 35m to 5h 50m
- Airlines for nonstop NYC to KEF flights: United Airlines, Icelandair, and Delta Air Lines
- New York to Reykjavik Flight Fares: Approx $369 for low season
- New York to Reykjavik Flight Frequency: 8-9 daily nonstop flights
- Time Difference: Reykjavik is 4-5 hours ahead of New York
Boston to Reykjavik Flights
Boston to Reykjavik is another in-demand flight route that serves 354,144 annual passengers (Isavia). It is the 4th-busiest route at Iceland's main international hub. The route is mainly served by Icelandair, which is a dominant airline for reliable transfers. Another reason why travelers choose the BOS to KEF route is Boston’s proximity to Iceland. A nonstop flight takes only about 5 hours, which is shorter than flying from Boston to the U.S. West Coast. Approximately 14 to 16 nonstop weekly flights operate between Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Keflavík International Airport (KEF).
- Boston to Reykjavik Flight duration: 5h 15m to 5h 20m
- Airlines for nonstop BOS to KEF flights: Icelandair
- Boston to Reykjavik Flight Fares: Approx $370 for the low season
- Boston to Reykjavik Flight Frequency: 2-3 daily nonstop flights
- Time Difference: Reykjavik is 4-5 hours ahead of Boston
Chicago to Reykjavik Flights
With 150,000 to 180,000 annual passengers flying between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and KEF, Chicago to Reykjavik is recognized as one of the busiest routes from the Midwest gateway (U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) T-100 International Segment Data). Around 20 weekly nonstop flights operate from Chicago to Reykjavik. The number increases to 32 during the summer season to meet more demand. The short distance and frequent nonstop connections contribute to the high demand for the flight from Chicago to Reykjavik. One major benefit of flying from Chicago is that passengers can take advantage of Icelandair's Stopover Program, which helps save on Reykjavik Flight tickets and lets them make the most of mainland Europe.
- Chicago to Reykjavik Flight duration: 6h 5 min to 6h 15 min
- Airlines for nonstop ORD to KEF flights: Icelandair and United Airlines
- Chicago to Reykjavik Flight Fares: Approx $466 for low season
- Chicago to Reykjavik Flight Frequency: 3 to 4 daily nonstop flights
- Time Difference: Reykjavik is 5-6 hours ahead of Chicago
Minneapolis to Reykjavik Flights
One of the busiest Midwest corridors to Iceland, the Minneapolis-to- Reykjavik flight is in high demand among leisure tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. The route handles an estimated 110,000 to 130,000 annual passengers, traveling from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) to Keflavík International Airport (U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) T-100 International Segment Data). As demand peaks in summer, the flight frequency also increases from usual levels, averaging around 12 to 14 direct weekly flights. The low season sees 7 to 9 nonstop flights per week from Minneapolis to Reykjavik.
- Minneapolis to Reykjavik Flight duration: 6h 5 min
- Airlines for nonstop MSP to KEF flights: Icelandair and Delta Air Lines (seasonal)
- Minneapolis to Reykjavik Flight Fares: Approx $421 for low season
- Minneapolis to Reykjavik Flight Frequency: 1 to 2 daily nonstop flights
- Time Difference: Reykjavik is 5-6 hours ahead of Minneapolis
Baltimore to Reykjavik Flights
This is an important transatlantic gateway for the broader Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. Baltimore to Reykjavik flight doubles during the peak summer to meet the demand, which usually remains around 9 to 11 weekly nonstop connections. With 95,000 to 115,000 annual passengers, the Baltimore to Reykjavik flight is one popular flight route for leisure travelers (U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) T-100 International Segment Data). Travelers from Maryland and Northern Virginia also chose Baltimore as their departure point. The non-stop flights depart from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and are dominated by Icelandair.
- Baltimore to Reykjavik Flight duration: 5h 50 min to 5h 55min
- Airlines for nonstop BWI to KEF flights: Icelandair and United Airlines
- Baltimore to Reykjavik Flight Fares: Approx $443 for low season
- Baltimore to Reykjavik Flight Frequency: 1 to 2 daily nonstop flights
- Time Difference: Reykjavik is 4-5 hours ahead of Baltimore
Washington, DC to Reykjavik Flights
Handling an estimate of 140,000 to 170,000 annual passengers, the Washington, DC to Reykjavik flight route is one of the busiest (U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) T-100 International Segment Data). It primarily serves government officials, diplomats, and international business travelers, as well as standard leisure tourists. The route sees higher demand for business-class and premium-economy cabins.
A portion of travelers' numbers also includes connecting passengers from across the Southeastern U.S. Flights to Reykjavik operate from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), with approximately 10 to 14 direct flights per week.
- Washington, DC to Reykjavik Flight duration: 5h 55min
- Airlines for nonstop IAD to KEF flights: Icelandair
- Washington, DC to Reykjavik Flight Fares: Approx $414 for low season
- Washington, DC to Reykjavik Flight Frequency: 2 to 3 daily nonstop flights
- Time Difference: Reykjavik is 4-5 hours ahead of Washington, DC
Detroit to Reykjavik Flights
While the Detroit-to- Reykjavik route is not as busy as the one mentioned above, it is important to the automotive industry, regional travelers, and airline networks. It serves 65,000 to 85,000 passengers annually (Sabre Market Intelligence & O&D Traffic Data), offering Michigan travelers a direct link to the Nordic region. The usual season offers 4 to 7 direct weekly flights, which double during the summer peak to meet the leisure demand. The flights operate from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), serving the Delta Hub Network. Also, Icelandair serves the route, taking over the underserved market in the Great Lakes region.
- Detroit to Reykjavik Flight duration: 5h 41 min to 5h 50 min
- Airlines for nonstop DTW to KEF flights: Icelandair and Delta Air Lines (seasonal)
- Detroit to Reykjavik Flight Fares: Approx $465 for low season
- Detroit to Reykjavik Flight Frequency: 1 to 2 daily nonstop flights
- Time Difference: Reykjavik is 4-5 hours ahead of Detroit
Seattle to Reykjavik Flights (seasonal)
The Seattle to Reykjavik flights operate on a seasonal basis, targeting only the summer crowd for direct connectivity. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Keflavík International Airport (KEF) route handles 200,000 to 220,000 passengers with 21 to 28 direct weekly flights (U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)). While Icelandair is the dominant carrier, Alaska has also stepped in to serve the SEA to KEF flight route.
- Seattle to Reykjavik Flight duration: 7h 25 min to 7h 35 min
- Airlines for nonstop SEA to KEF flights: Icelandair and Alaska Airlines (seasonal)
- Seattle to Reykjavik Flight Fares: Approx $420 for low season
- Seattle to Reykjavik Flight Frequency: 2 to 4 daily nonstop flights (seasonal)
- Time Difference: Reykjavik is 7-8 hours ahead of Seattle
Note: Ranges reflect the shift between U.S. standard time and daylight saving time; Iceland does not observe DST.
Best Time to Book Cheap Reykjavik Flights
Low-season travel is always the cheapest, offering travelers affordable flight options. While Reykjavik is a leisure destination, travelers usually prefer to book flights to Reykjavik for the summer months. Here are some tips on how and when to book cheap Reykjavik flights:
- The Shoulder Season Window: The cheapest times to visit are from November to February, excluding the holidays. While flights remain expensive for Christmas and New Year's, the rest of the months are in the low season, with cheap flights to Reykjavik. You can also plan for March, April, and October when Reykjavik flight tickets remain affordable.
- Advance flight booking: Booking Reykjavik flights 3 to 4 months in advance can help you save on fares. Last-minute flights are more expensive compared to those booked at least 3 months in advance.
- Book Tuesday afternoons: Many airlines release fare sales early in the week, so checking prices Tuesday and Wednesday can help you book cheap Reykjavik flights before weekend demand pushes them back up. While a fare drop is not guaranteed, it is best to compare before booking.
- Compare and book: Fare alerts, alternative airports, and stopovers can help you save on Reykjavik Flight tickets.
Reykjavik Travel Tips for U.S. Travelers
- U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter Iceland.
- Iceland is part of the Schengen Area, and U.S. passport holders can stay up to 90 days within any 180 days for tourism without a visa.
- Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay. At least 6 months' validity is recommended.
- Iceland uses the Icelandic Króna (ISK); however, credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- Flybus and airport shuttles connect Keflavík International Airport (KEF) with downtown Reykjavik. Also, public buses (Strætó) serve the city and nearby towns.
- You can purchase prepaid SIM cards at Keflavík Airport, convenience stores, supermarkets, and mobile shops.
Flights to Reykjavik from US FAQ
Which US cities have nonstop flights to Reykjavik?
New York, Washington DC, Boston, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Baltimore, and Seattle are some top cities with nonstop flights to Reykjavik.
How long is a nonstop flight to Iceland?
The duration depends on the city you are departing from. It usually takes 5 to 8 hours to reach Reykjavik.
What is the cheapest month to fly?
November to February are considered the best months to book cheap flights to Reykjavik.
Which airlines fly nonstop?
Icelandair is one of the dominant carriers that operate nonstop flights to Reykjavik.
Is Reykjavik expensive?
Yes, Reykjavik is considered one of the most expensive cities for US travelers. A one-night stay at a decent hotel may cost between $200 and $350.
Which airport should I fly into?
Keflavík Airport (KEF) is the main airport serving all international and domestic flights.
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