Iceland’s two largest airlines have continued their transatlantic expansion with new services to the United States.
Icelandair has added two new North American routes—its 19th and 20th destinations across the Atlantic—by launching flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Cleveland (CLE). These routes will operate from Keflavík International Airport (KEF) starting in May 2018, with a schedule of four weekly frequencies.
Low-cost carrier WOW air has also expanded its U.S. network by introducing flights to Dallas beginning in May 2018. WOW air’s Dallas service is planned to operate three times per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, offering connections from London Gatwick (LGW) and London Stansted (STN).
Earlier, in August, WOW air outlined a strategy focused on secondary U.S. markets, announcing intentions to open routes to Detroit (DTW), Cleveland (CLE), St. Louis (STL) and Cincinnati (CVG). This approach reflects the carrier’s effort to serve underserved or lower-cost U.S. cities and to provide more one-stop connectivity via Iceland.
Both carriers leverage Iceland’s geographic position as a bridge between Europe and North America, enabling convenient connections for travelers and opening new travel and trade links between the regions. The additions to Dallas and Cleveland expand options for passengers traveling to and from Iceland, the U.K., and a growing range of U.S. cities, while also contributing to increased competition on transatlantic routes.
The new services are part of a broader trend among Icelandic airlines to grow their international footprints by targeting a mix of major and secondary destinations in North America, balancing scheduled frequencies with demand and seasonal variations. Travelers considering these routes should check each airline’s published schedules and booking channels for the most current information on frequencies, connections and fares.