Business travellers to the United States have an increasingly effective alternative: they can choose to fly via theReykjavik international airport in Iceland. Icelandair connects Iceland's capital with 50 destinations.
Icelandair connects 24 European cities with 15 North American cities (3 in Canada and 12 in the United States). With a striking slogan: offering the fastest flight times from Europe to North America. And vice versa.
It's true that Iceland occupies an ideal geographical position midway between continental Europe and North America. Flight times on European routes range from 2.5 hours to 4 hours.. Over North America - especially the East Coast - it is no more than 6 hours.. Montreal is just five hours from Reykjavik, New York 5 hours 40 minutes.
According to the results for the third quarter of 2022, 43% of passengers are transferring. While load factors on flights to America reached 89% and to Europe 86%.
Niche company on the North Atlantic
Also, in a recent interview with the promoters of the Routes, Icelandair CEO Bogi Nils Bogasonwishes capitalise more on the development of Europe/US links. In particular to and from secondary towns. Icelandair's decision has been confirmed by the success of its new route on Raleigh Durham. Operating four times a week since May with 160-seat Boeing 737-8 aircraft, the route has been a resounding success. Icelandair also serves other secondary destinations in the United States such as Baltimore or even Portland in Oregon.
Bogi Nils Bogason is planning other lines of this type with the launch of Boeing 737MAX. Since 2020, the carrier has received 15 of these aircraft, which are more economical than the B737-8 or 9. By 2022, Icelandair will have integrated 6 of these aircraft. The airline is due to receive a further 5 B737MAXs in 2023. All devices are equipped with a Premium classA key asset in attracting business customers too.
In Europe, the carrier will continue to expand its network. Icelandair has just confirmed that it will resume flights to Nice between June and September 2023. with two flights a week. It will also inaugurate flights to Salzburg in December.
This niche strategy in the North Atlantic is bearing fruit. In the fourth quarter, seat capacity on the company's network should reach 98%a European record.
