Icelandair announced plans to begin flights between Reykjavik and Istanbul on September 5, 2025, marking the airline’s latest effort to expand its network into new markets. The route will operate four times weekly, with a flight time of approximately five hours and 30 minutes.
The launch coincides with an expanded codeshare partnership between Icelandair and Turkish Airlines, established in 2023. This collaboration will allow Icelandair’s Reykjavik-Istanbul schedule to align seamlessly with Turkish Airlines flights connecting to destinations across Asia and the Middle East, enhancing connectivity for travelers.
“This new route to Istanbul not only strengthens our relationship with Turkish Airlines but also offers our passengers easier access to a wide range of global destinations,” said Icelandair CEO Bogi Nils Bogason.
In a related development, Icelandair is set to become Southwest Airlines’ first partner carrier, with the bilateral partnership scheduled to begin in 2025. The agreement will open new opportunities for passengers traveling between North America, Europe, and beyond.
The Reykjavik-Istanbul route is expected to appeal to both leisure and business travelers, providing a convenient link between Iceland and Turkey while connecting passengers to a broader global network through Istanbul, one of the world’s busiest air travel hubs.
