Icelandair has announced Istanbul, Turkey, as the latest addition to its growing route network, with flights scheduled to commence on September 5, 2025.
The airline will operate four weekly flights to Istanbul Airport (IST), connecting Iceland to Turkey’s historic and cultural hub with a flight time of approximately five hours and 30 minutes.
This expansion is part of Icelandair’s strategy to improve connectivity between Iceland and the East. The new Istanbul route will enhance travel options for passengers from Asia and the Middle East by aligning Icelandair’s schedule with Turkish Airlines flights, ensuring smoother connections. This partnership, initially launched in 2023, will now deepen, significantly reducing travel time for travelers journeying between the East and Iceland.
Bogi Nils Bogason, President and CEO of Icelandair, expressed excitement about the new route:
“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.”
This addition highlights Icelandair’s commitment to reinforcing its route network and providing new opportunities for customers while bolstering Iceland’s tourism industry. The collaboration with Turkish Airlines ensures passengers will benefit from seamless connections to destinations across Asia and the Middle East, underscoring Istanbul’s strategic importance as a global travel hub.
