Iceland has become a top destination for travelers, and Icelandair makes visiting easy with its Stopover Buddy program. With the airline’s Stopover option you can stay in Iceland for up to seven days at no extra airfare. The Stopover Buddy Service, available free to Stopover passengers through spring 2017, pairs you with a local Stopover Buddy who acts as your personal host for up to a full day. These local experts help plan tailored experiences—whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or planning a proposal—and create memorable, authentic moments across the country.
Stopover Buddies can introduce you to Icelandic customs and seasonal events. Examples of cultural highlights include the Yule Lads activities during the Christmas season, Pearls of Icelandic Song (Dec. 27, 2016–Jan. 6, 2017), the Dark Music Days Festival (Jan. 28–30, 2017), the Winter Lights Festival (Feb. 1, 2017), and the annual Food & Fun Festival (March 1–5, 2017). These kinds of local festivals and traditions give travelers a deeper sense of Iceland’s culture and community life.
Hekla Aurora Interior
Onboard, Icelandair’s Hekla Aurora aircraft brings a touch of the Northern Lights to your flight. Mood lighting across the cabin ceiling mirrors the flow of the Aurora Borealis, and the aircraft’s exterior livery continues the theme. The Hekla Aurora operates on selected trans-Atlantic schedules; details and flight times are available through the airline.
Long-haul flights offer a wide range of in-flight entertainment, including a curated selection of Icelandic artists such as Sigur Rós, Vök and Seabear. Onboard WiFi keeps you connected, and meals are presented in environmentally friendly packaging that highlights facts about Iceland’s flora and fauna. Seasonal menu items showcase local flavors: one option is a hearty Harvest Salad featuring roasted sweet potatoes, pickled red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, rucola, pumpkin seeds and iceberg lettuce, accompanied by chili vinaigrette and chicken in mango salsa. For dessert, you can try Hjónabandssæla, a traditional jam-filled cake whose name translates to “wedded bliss.” Typically filled with rhubarb or mixed berry jam, it’s a classic Icelandic sweet that passengers often enjoy on flights.