Icelandair is continuing to broaden its footprint in the United States by adding St. Louis, Missouri, to its growing transatlantic route map. The Midwestern metropolis, frequently referred to as America’s "Gateway to the West," will soon enjoy direct seasonal connections to Iceland and seamless onward travel options to numerous destinations across Europe.
Beginning May 14, 2027, the carrier will launch service between St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) and Keflavik International Airport (KEF), located just outside Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavík. The flights are scheduled to run through October 24, 2027, operating three to four times weekly. Travelers looking to book the route will find flights scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, offering flexible options for both weekend getaways and longer European vacations.
For this new Midwestern route, Icelandair plans to deploy a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The single-aisle plane features a two-class configuration consisting of 16 business-class recliner seats and 144 economy seats, providing a modern and comfortable cabin environment for the approximately seven-hour journey across the Atlantic.
The introduction of St. Louis as Icelandair’s 16th U.S. gateway marks a significant milestone for the airline as its first new destination on this side of the Atlantic for the 2027 season. Aviation analytics firm Cirium notes that Icelandair is steadily increasing its presence in the United States, scheduling roughly 15% more seats for the American market this year compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
A cornerstone of this new route is Icelandair’s developing partnership with Southwest Airlines, which maintains a massive operational stronghold and serves as the busiest carrier at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. By aligning their networks, the collaboration is designed to create a convenient transfer hub at STL for travelers moving between various domestic points in North America and international destinations in Iceland and Europe.
Tómas Ingason, the chief commercial officer of Icelandair, emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration in a statement regarding the route announcement. He noted that St. Louis represents an exciting and robust addition to the airline’s map, further fortified by the growing partnership with Southwest Airlines. According to Ingason, this alignment will establish smooth and convenient travel connections between communities across North America, Iceland, and the wider European continent.
For the city of St. Louis, the arrival of Icelandair introduces its third major European carrier. Transatlantic connectivity from STL has seen steady development in the years following the pandemic, led by the establishment of routes by British Airways and Lufthansa to their respective European hubs.
While the new service represents a major boost for the airport’s international offerings, it is not the first time the Midwestern city has enjoyed a direct link to Keflavik. In 2018 and 2019, the route was briefly operated by the now-defunct Icelandic long-haul, low-cost carrier WOW Air. That service was ultimately cut alongside several other secondary U.S. routes as the budget airline faced severe financial pressures before collapsing entirely. Industry observers point out that Icelandair’s entry into STL comes with a more stable network model, anchored by robust interline and partnership opportunities rather than relying solely on point-to-point low-cost traffic.
Passengers traveling on Icelandair’s new St. Louis route will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the carrier’s popular stopover program. The initiative allows travelers flying between North America and Europe to add a stop in Iceland for up to seven days at no additional airfare, encouraging visitors to explore the island nation’s natural landscapes before continuing on to their final destination.
As preparations get underway for the May 2027 launch, the new service underscores how transatlantic carriers continue to look beyond major coastal hubs, seeking out strong regional U.S. markets paired with robust domestic airline partnerships to sustain long-term international growth.
