St. Louis travelers will soon have a new nonstop option to Iceland, opening easier connections to Europe through the airline’s Reykjavik hub. Icelandair plans to begin service from St. Louis Lambert International Airport to Keflavik International Airport on May 14, 2027, and continue through October 24 of that year. The move marks the carrier’s 16th U.S. gateway and its first new destination on this side of the Atlantic for 2027. ([1])
Route Schedule and Aircraft
Flights will operate three to four times each week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Icelandair will deploy its Boeing 737 MAX 8 on the route, configured with 16 business-class recliner seats and 144 economy seats. The seasonal schedule aligns with peak summer travel demand while giving passengers flexibility across spring and fall shoulder periods. This frequency supports both leisure visitors heading to Iceland and business travelers seeking onward European connections. The aircraft choice reflects Icelandair’s standard narrowbody fleet for transatlantic routes of this length. Service will mark the first sustained European link at STL since earlier attempts by other carriers.
Strengthened Ties With Southwest Airlines
The new route builds directly on Icelandair’s growing partnership with Southwest Airlines, the dominant carrier at St. Louis. Passengers from both airlines will gain a convenient transfer point for journeys between North American cities and destinations in Iceland or Europe. Southwest’s extensive domestic network at STL positions the airport as a natural feeder for Icelandair’s transatlantic flights. Tómas Ingason, Icelandair’s chief commercial officer, noted that the addition is further strengthened by the partnership, which will create convenient connections across North America, Iceland, and Europe. The collaboration allows travelers to book itineraries that combine Southwest’s U.S. routes with Icelandair’s European reach without separate tickets in many cases. This integration reduces friction for Midwest passengers who previously relied on connections through larger coastal hubs.
Context Among Other European Services
Icelandair becomes the third European airline to serve St. Louis after British Airways and Lufthansa launched flights in the years following the pandemic. The city already benefits from those established links, yet the Icelandair route adds a distinct northern gateway with its own stopover options. Earlier service to Keflavik existed briefly when WOW Air operated the route in 2018 and 2019 before the carrier ceased operations. Icelandair itself plans to fly 15 percent more seats to the United States this year than it did in 2019, according to schedule data. The St. Louis addition fits into that broader capacity growth and reflects sustained demand for secondary U.S. cities with strong connecting traffic. Local travelers gain an alternative that avoids the need to drive or connect through Chicago or other larger airports for European trips.
Practical Advantages for Passengers
Travelers on the new service can use Icelandair’s free stopover program, allowing up to a seven-day stay in Iceland at no extra airfare cost. This feature turns a simple transit into an opportunity to explore Reykjavik or the surrounding countryside before continuing to Europe. The seasonal timing also aligns well with summer vacations and fall foliage travel patterns popular among Midwest residents. The route’s launch underscores how secondary airports continue to attract international carriers seeking partnerships with dominant domestic airlines. For St. Louis specifically, the addition expands options without requiring major infrastructure changes at the airport. Passengers should monitor booking availability as the 2027 schedule approaches, particularly those already enrolled in either airline’s loyalty program.
