Icelandair shifts long-haul Airbus A321LR routes away from Seattle for summer 2026

Flights to New York JFK using the A321LR will begin January 6, 2026. Portland will see regular service starting March 6; Orlando follows on March 26; and Newark on May 21. Icelandair’s submission to Cirium Diio shows that this is the first time it will use the LR variant on routes to JFK or Orlando.

For reference:

- Newark: Daily departures with all flights operated by A321LRs; previously served by Boeing 757-200 and 767-300ER.

- New York JFK: Two daily departures entirely on A321LRs; previously operated by Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 767-300ER.

- Orlando: Five weekly departures using only A321LRs; previously flown with Boeing 757-200.

- Portland: Six weekly departures exclusively on A321LRs; previously operated by Boeing 757-200.

In comparison, during June-August of 2025, Seattle was the only U.S. airport receiving regular A321LR service from Icelandair. That service is scheduled to end after May 20, 2026; after that date, all Seattle flights will be operated with the lower-capacity Boeing 737 MAX 8.

The change comes as Alaska Airlines prepares to launch its own Seattle-Keflavik route using a MAX 8 starting May 28, making it Alaska’s longest flight with that aircraft type. Both airlines codeshare on this route. With Alaska entering the market, there will be four daily MAX 8 flights between Seattle and Keflavik next summer—a roughly ten percent increase in seat availability compared to last year. If Icelandair continued operating three daily A321LR flights alongside Alaska’s entry, total capacity would likely exceed demand.

As a result of shifting both JFK and Newark services fully onto the smaller-capacity A321LR during peak summer next year, available seats between Icelandair and Greater New York City will drop by about sixteen percent compared to last year—the lowest since summer of 2014 outside pandemic years.

According to Icelandair: "Passengers will have the airline's latest hard product, while it'll benefit from stronger pricing and loads, which will be good for its performance in the highly competitive market."

The carrier referenced lessons learned from former competitor PLAY Airlines’ experience before ceasing operations in October.