Quantcast

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

Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Proposals for commercial planes to operate with one pilot shelved after critical EU report
Air Travel Fatalities Up 300% in 2024, According to Shocking Global Report
Boeing Halts Strike Talks Amid $36 Billion Deal & Union Dispute
FAA’s Broader Runway Safety Push Builds on EMAS Legacy
Ryanair CEO says aviation sustainability targets are 'dying a death'
US FAA funds system to prevent accidents involving runaway airplanes
Exclusive: Korean Air makes airline's biggest-ever Boeing jet order amid Trump-Lee summit
Boeing Stock Jumps on Massive Korean Air Order
FAA EMAS: Proven Safety Wins Since 1996
Air Canada flight attendants try to build on US gains on unpaid work
Cathay Pacific warns of declining fares and cargo uncertainty, shares fall
Clear intentions, cloudy path: aviation's ongoing ESG challenge
Turkish Airlines is preparing binding offer for Spain's Air Europa, executive says
Air Canada flight attendants approve strike mandate
US criticizes use of AI to personalize airline ticket prices, would investigate
Ethiopian Airlines' annual revenue rises as it draws more passengers, adds routes
Major strike action to hit 12 Spanish airports that have Ryanair flights
JetBlue, United partnership gets go-ahead from U.S. Transportation Department
United-JetBlue partnership gets US DOT approval
Air India Warned Over Crew Fatigue and Training Failures Following Fatal Crash
Heathrow Chief Defends £50–60 billion Third Runway Amid Rising Costs Debate
New UK airline with cheap US fares is ‘parked’ after just TWO flights – with people fearing it’s been scrapped for good
US carriers shamed in surprising new list of the world’s ‘cleanest’ airlines
Air Force Pilot Wasn't Alerted to Collision Course with Passenger Jet Before Scary Near Miss, Says Official
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may deny flights from Mexico over broken aviation agreement
Plane Makes Emergency Landing After ‘Unruly’ Passenger Attempts to Open Exit Door Mid-Flight
American Airlines Launches Ultra‑Long‑Haul DFW–Manila Flights
Thousands of flights canceled or delayed across America's busiest airports
Summer flight delays to be 'worst ever' this year - what to do if affected
Icelandair shifts long-haul Airbus A321LR routes away from Seattle for summer 2026
Policy
Webp boginilsbogason
Bogi Nils Bogason, CEO and President at Icelandair | Icelandair

Big changes are set for Icelandair's long-haul Airbus A321LR network as the airline adjusts its U.S. routes for the peak summer of 2026. According to a recent schedule update, Icelandair will operate the A321LR on flights to Newark, New York JFK, Orlando, and Portland. This is a shift from summer 2025, when up to three daily flights served Seattle with this aircraft type.

Icelandair currently operates four A321LRs and has announced plans to lease two more. Each aircraft accommodates 187 passengers, with 22 in business class and 165 in economy class, making it the airline’s highest-capacity narrowbody. The latest addition to the fleet arrived in May 2025.

Between June and August 2026, only four U.S. airports—Newark, New York JFK, Orlando, and Portland—are scheduled to see service from the A321LR. No Canadian destinations are included in these plans. The new aircraft will mainly replace older models such as the Boeing 757 and 767, which are either being reassigned or retired.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

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.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The 13th Annual Breast Care International Walk for the Cure took place in Kumasi, Ghana, drawing around 30,000 participants, including survivors, healthcare professionals, students, traditional leaders, and advocates.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025