Icelandair has officially launched a new nonstop route connecting Keflavik (KEF) and Miami International Airport (MIA), marking its first-ever regularly scheduled flights to the South Florida hub.
The airline will begin operating the route on October 25, 2025, with three weekly services through May 2, 2026 — slightly extended from its original March end date.
Flights from Keflavik to Miami (FI691) depart at 5:15 p.m. and land at 9:55 p.m. local time, while the return service (FI690) leaves Miami at 6:15 p.m. and arrives in Iceland at 5:55 a.m. the next day.
Westbound flights operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while eastbound services run on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The 3,664-mile journey takes around 8 hours and 40 minutes westbound and 7 hours and 40 minutes eastbound.
A321LR Brings Icelandair’s Newest Comforts
The route is being served by Icelandair’s newest aircraft type, the Airbus A321LR.
Configured with 187 seats, it includes 22 in Saga Class — Icelandair’s business cabin — and 165 in economy.
Saga Class, often compared to a premium economy experience, is known for offering competitive fares and added flexibility.
Passengers also benefit from the airline’s popular stopover program, which allows travelers to enjoy several days in Iceland at no additional cost.
For example, a passenger flying from Oslo to Miami can choose to spend time exploring Iceland before continuing onward.
Expanding in the U.S. Market
Miami becomes Icelandair’s 19th destination in North America and its second in Florida, joining year-round services to Orlando.
The airline previously operated flights to Tampa, though that route ended before the pandemic.
While this is Icelandair’s first time offering scheduled Miami service, the carrier has previously operated occasional charter flights from the city, primarily to Cuba, during slower winter periods.
The new Miami service fits neatly into Icelandair’s transatlantic strategy of connecting North America and Europe via its hub in Keflavik.
This “mid-Atlantic model” allows passengers to make quick transfers between the two continents, taking advantage of Iceland’s geographic location.
Why Miami, and Why Now?
According to industry observers, several factors explain the timing of Icelandair’s Miami launch.
The airline’s recent fleet expansion — particularly with the range-capable A321LR — has opened new possibilities.
While Icelandair already serves Orlando with the 737 MAX, Miami sits near the upper limit of that aircraft’s practical range, making the A321LR a better fit.
Additionally, Icelandair has historically been conservative about growth, focusing on routes with limited competition and strong niche demand.
Miami’s popularity among European winter travelers makes it an attractive market, even if demand from North America to Iceland dips during colder months.
Interestingly, this is Icelandair’s first North American route designed specifically as a winter seasonal service.
Most of its transatlantic flights either run year-round or peak in summer.
Aircraft Utilization and Strategy
Some have noted that the Miami route features unusually long ground time — about 20 hours per rotation — but this reflects Icelandair’s tight hub coordination strategy.
The airline’s schedule is built around optimizing connections between its European and North American services.
Rather than forcing a poor fit within its banked system, Icelandair prefers to keep the aircraft idle to ensure seamless transfer options for passengers.
This decision prioritizes network efficiency over utilization rates.
As one of Icelandair’s longest North American routes, the Miami service can only align properly with Iceland’s existing bank of flight departures and arrivals using this timing structure.
Looking Ahead
The launch highlights Icelandair’s gradual but steady growth in the U.S. market, supported by modern aircraft and a carefully managed route network.
Given the flight’s winter-only operation, analysts suggest Icelandair will monitor performance before deciding whether to extend it into the summer season.
The airline continues to seek opportunities that balance tourism demand, operational practicality, and aircraft availability.
For now, travelers can look forward to a new link between Iceland and South Florida — one that opens up Miami’s beaches to European visitors during the colder months and offers North Americans an easy gateway to Iceland’s dramatic landscapes.
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