Icelandair Set to Welcome Airbus A321LR, Expanding Route Network

Icelandair is preparing for a significant transition in its fleet with the upcoming delivery of its first Airbus A321LR, scheduled for November 2024. This arrival marks a notable shift for the Reykjavik-based airline, which has traditionally favored Boeing aircraft.

The first A321LR is one of four on order from Airbus, intended to replace parts of Icelandair’s existing Boeing 757-200 fleet. The airline has already initiated the replacement process, having released initial images of the aircraft in September 2024, although it still retains its Airbus test registration, D-AZXZ, until it receives its Icelandic registration, TF-IAA.

The new aircraft features a distinctive magenta-tinged version of Icelandair’s traditional white and navy livery and is set to enter service by summer 2025, operating out of Reykjavik-Keflavik Airport (KEF). Starting December 10, 2024, the A321LR will debut on routes to Copenhagen (CPH) and Stockholm (ARN). Further deployments will include flights to London-Heathrow (LHR) on December 23, 2024, and Oslo (OSL) on December 24, 2024.

Icelandair will also introduce limited A321LR services to Manchester (MAN) in April 2025 and Glasgow (GLA) in May 2025, with additional flights planned for Amsterdam (AMS) and Brussels (BRU). Once fully integrated into the fleet, the A321LR will expand Icelandair’s long-haul offerings, including new routes to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) starting May 7, 2025, and to Rome (FCO), Berlin (BER), and Paris (CDG) in June 2025.

The A321LR will be configured with 22 lie-flat business class seats and 165 economy class seats, featuring a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km). This extended range allows the airline to efficiently serve its current network while providing a slight increase in capacity compared to the Boeing 757-200s (187 versus 183 seats).

Icelandair’s current fleet consists of 42 aircraft, including 17 Boeing 737 MAX 8, four MAX 9, 11 Boeing 757-200s, and three Boeing 757-300s, operating 63 routes to 62 destinations across Europe, the US, and seasonal flights to Canada. In addition to the four A321LRs, Icelandair has an outstanding order for 13 A321XLR variants, which are expected to further enhance its long-haul capabilities and open new routes from Iceland.

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