REYKJAVÍK- Icelandair (FI) extends its network to include Istanbul, marking the airline’s first venture into Türkiye. Passengers can board flights to Istanbul International Airport (IST) starting September 5, 2025.
The service operates four times weekly, connecting travelers between the two cities in 5H 30M. This expansion breaks from Icelandair’s traditional route strategy, which previously focused on connecting North America and Europe through its Reykjavik hub.
Icelandair New Flights to Istanbul
Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft will operate the 2,562-mile route between Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport (KEF) and Istanbul International Airport (IST). The plane provides 160 seats, divided into 16 business class and 144 economy class seats.
The Schedule for the Icelandair (FI) New Flights to Istanbul is as follows:
| Flight No. | Departure | Arrival | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FI900 | Keflavik (KEF) | Istanbul (IST) | 3:25 PM | 11:55 PM | Sun, Tue, Thu, Fri |
| FI901 | Istanbul (IST) | Keflavik (KEF) | 7:05 AM | 10:00 AM | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat |
Eastbound flights take 5 hours and 30 minutes, departing on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Westbound flights last 5 hours and 55 minutes, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The expanded codeshare partnership between Icelandair (FI) and Turkish Airlines (TK) creates faster connections for travelers.
Turkish Airlines, which flies to more countries than any other airline, aligns its Asia and Middle East flights with Icelandair’s Istanbul schedule. This coordination reduces total travel time for passengers heading to Iceland from eastern destinations.
Icelandair and Turkish Airlines Codeshare
The partnership announcement between Icelandair and Turkish Airlines in the summer of 2023 raises strategic questions about route connectivity. Neither airline operated flights between their hubs at that time, limiting the partnership’s initial value to travelers, OMAAT flagged.
The launch of Icelandair’s Istanbul route shifts from the airline’s North American focus to target Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
Icelandair schedules align with Turkish Airlines’ major flight bank, creating efficient connections for travelers.
Turkish Airlines’ extensive global network opens new one-stop routes to Iceland. The choice of Icelandair to operate this route stands out, given Turkish Airlines’ rapid expansion and position as the carrier serving most countries worldwide.
The route planning shows a strategic shift in connecting Iceland to eastern markets through Istanbul’s hub.
The partnership now delivers practical benefits through coordinated flight schedules and expanded destination options for travelers.
The CEO of Icelandair, Bogi Nils Bogason, announces Istanbul’s addition to expand market reach. The partnership with Turkish Airlines creates direct connections between Iceland and eastern destinations.
Rising travel demand between Asia and Iceland drives this network expansion. The new route strengthens Icelandair’s sales and distribution capabilities.
The connection opens tourism opportunities for Iceland and provides customers access to new markets through Istanbul’s hub.
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. We are excited to continue reinforcing our route network as well as connecting to exciting markets for our customers and tourism in Iceland.
Bogi Nils Bogason, CEO, Icelandair
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News.
