Icelandair is the national airline of Iceland. It offers both domestic and international flights. The airline operates a fleet of modern planes. Icelandair is known for connecting North America and Europe, with a layover option in Iceland. It has been serving passengers for decades and has a good reputation for reliability.
I aim to explore whether Icelandair qualifies as a budget airline. It will look at the airline’s pricing, services, and policies. The goal is to give you a clear understanding of what to expect when flying with Icelandair. We’ll compare it to other budget and full-service airlines to see how it stacks up.
Table of Contents
What Defines a Budget Airline
A budget airline is focused on offering low-cost flights. These airlines cut extra features to keep ticket prices low. You pay only for the seat. Everything else, like meals, checked luggage, or choosing your seat, usually costs extra.
Budget airlines often use smaller airports to save on fees. They also try to keep planes in the air as much as possible with short turnaround times. This helps them fly more often and reduce costs. Planes are usually packed with more seats, so there’s less legroom compared to full-service airlines.
In-flight services are very limited. There are usually no free snacks, drinks, or entertainment systems. If you want food or drinks, you’ll need to buy them. Staff numbers are kept low, and there’s less focus on comfort and luxury.
These airlines are best for short trips or travelers who don’t mind skipping extras. If saving money is your top goal, a budget airline can be a good choice.
Icelandair’s Pricing and Fare Structure
Icelandair Fare Choices and Average Ticket Costs
Icelandair has several ticket options designed for different types of travelers. While it may not be as cheap as typical low-cost airlines, it does provide budget-friendly fares with limited services. The most basic ticket, called Economy Light, usually costs between $200 and $250 for a one-way trip from the U.S. to Iceland. This fare includes just a carry-on bag and does not cover checked luggage, seat choice, or meals.
If you prefer more flexibility, the Economy Standard fare ranges from $250 to $300, and includes a checked bag and free seat selection in specific areas. Economy Flex tickets are priced higher, around $400 to $450, and allow you to make flight changes with fewer restrictions. For a more comfortable flight, Saga Premium offers extra space, meals, and lounge access, usually costing between $1,100 and $2,000 round-trip.
Details by Fare Level
- Economy Light: Best for light travelers. Includes one small carry-on and in-flight entertainment, but no food or checked bags.
- Economy Standard: Adds a free checked bag and limited seat selection.
- Economy Flex: Offers flexible changes, a checked bag, and wider seat choices.
- Saga Premium: Ideal for travelers seeking comfort. Comes with two checked bags, priority check-in, airport lounge use, meals, drinks, and more legroom.
Cabin Classes and Onboard Services
Types of Cabin Classes
Icelandair has four cabin classes: Economy Light, Economy Standard, Economy Flex, and Saga Premium. Economy Light is the lowest fare and includes just a carry-on bag. You don’t get seat selection or meals. Economy Standard adds a checked bag and basic seat choice. Economy Flex offers more comfort and flexibility. You can make changes to your flight and choose better seats. Saga Premium is the top option with lounge access, more legroom, and faster check-in at the airport.
Seat Comfort and Space
Seats in Economy Light and Standard have limited legroom. They are basic and meant for short to medium trips. Economy Flex gives slightly better seating options. Saga Premium offers wider seats that recline more. These seats are more relaxing, especially for long flights. But even in Saga Premium, you won’t get lie-flat seats like some luxury airlines.
Food and Drink Options
Meals are not included in Economy Light or Standard. If you want food or drinks, you can buy them during the flight. Economy Flex includes some light refreshments at no extra cost. Saga Premium offers full meal service with drinks and snacks, all included in your ticket price.
In-Flight Entertainment and Wi-Fi
All passengers get a personal screen with movies, shows, and games. This is available in every seat, no matter the class. Wi-Fi is also available onboard. If you’re flying in economy, you can buy Wi-Fi. Saga Premium passengers get free Wi-Fi for up to two devices during the flight.
Baggage Policies and Fees
Carry-On Baggage Rules
All passengers on Icelandair are allowed one small carry-on bag and one personal item, like a purse or laptop bag. The carry-on should not be larger than 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 inches (55 x 40 x 20 cm) and should weigh under 10 kg (22 lbs). This rule applies across all economy fare types. In Saga Premium, you’re allowed a bit more, up to two carry-on bags with a higher weight limit.
Checked Baggage Allowance
The number of checked bags you can bring depends on your ticket type. Economy Light does not include any checked baggage. If you choose Economy Standard or Flex, you get one checked bag for free, up to 23 kg (50 lbs). Saga Premium allows two checked bags, each up to 32 kg (70 lbs), which is helpful for longer trips.
Extra Fees for Luggage
If you want to check a bag with an Economy Light ticket, you’ll have to pay extra. The fee depends on your route, but it usually starts around $50 to $100 per bag. Oversized or overweight bags also come with additional charges. It’s cheaper to add luggage online before your flight than to pay at the airport.
Special Items and Sports Equipment
Icelandair allows passengers to check sports gear and musical instruments, but fees apply based on size and weight. Items like skis, golf bags, or guitars can be included as part of your checked baggage if they meet size limits. If not, extra fees will apply. Always check the rules for special items before flying.
Is Icelandair Worth the Price
Icelandair offers a good value for travelers looking for budget-friendly flights with extra perks. While not as cheap as ultra-low-cost carriers, it provides a decent flying experience. With its Economy Light and Standard fares, it’s a solid option for those who don’t mind paying a bit more for a comfortable journey, especially considering that a stopover in Iceland is included in many international routes. This unique feature allows travelers to explore Iceland for up to a week without extra charges, which is a great bonus.
However, Icelandair’s lower-tier cabins, like Economy Light, may not feel as all-inclusive as traditional airlines. Economy Light tickets come with only a carry-on bag, and passengers have to pay extra for checked luggage, seat selection, and meals. For those who value these extras, the cost can add up quickly, making it feel less like a bargain.
For passengers willing to upgrade, Economy Flex and Saga Premium offer more comfortable options with additional services like meals, lounge access, and greater seat comfort. These upgrades make Icelandair more competitive with full-service carriers, especially on long-haul flights, but the prices can be higher than many budget airlines.
Conclusion
Icelandair offers affordable flights with decent services, making it a good choice for budget-conscious travelers. It provides options like a free stopover in Iceland, which can add value to your trip. However, its basic Economy Light fare doesn’t include many extras, which can make it feel like a budget airline.
For those willing to pay more, higher cabin classes offer better comfort and services. Overall, Icelandair strikes a balance between affordability and service, but whether it’s a budget airline depends on your travel preferences and how much you’re willing to spend.
