Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Icelandair Launches Year-Round Service Between Edinburgh and Reykjavik, Enhancing Tourism Between Scotland and North America: What You Need to Know
Published on
September 13, 2025
Icelandair has officially inaugurated its new Edinburgh-Reykjavik flight route, marking a significant expansion in Scotland’s tourism connectivity. Initially planned as a seasonal connection, the strong demand for the service has led Icelandair to upgrade the route to year-round operations, further strengthening ties between Scotland and Iceland and facilitating easier access to North America.
Operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, the service will run three to four times weekly, offering tourists and business travelers a convenient connection between Edinburgh, Reykjavik, and Icelandair’s extensive network of eighteen North American destinations. The flight times are designed to allow smooth onward connections across Icelandair’s North American network, including key cities like New York, Boston, and Toronto, making it easier for tourists to travel between Europe and North America.
Enhancing Scotland’s Global Tourism Connectivity
The introduction of the Edinburgh-Reykjavik route marks an exciting chapter in Scotland’s tourism industry, which continues to recover and grow in the post-pandemic era. The new year-round flight provides tourists from both Scotland and Iceland with an efficient way to connect to North American destinations, boosting the region’s appeal as a global tourism hub.
By providing a direct link between Scotland and Iceland, the route also opens new opportunities for tourism operators and businesses in Edinburgh and beyond. The strong demand for Icelandair’s service demonstrates the growing interest in Scotland’s tourism, with visitors flocking to the country for its rich culture, history, and natural beauty, including Edinburgh’s iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, and the stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands.
Icelandair’s Role in Promoting Transatlantic Tourism
The launch of this year-round service reinforces Icelandair’s historical role in linking Scotland and North America. Icelandair has been operating flights between Iceland and Scotland for over 80 years, and its new route to Edinburgh is an important addition to the airline’s network. The upgraded year-round schedule aligns with Icelandair’s goal to promote transatlantic tourism by providing travelers with a seamless journey between Europe and North America via Iceland, a country known for its stunning landscapes and modern, sustainable tourism offerings.
With this new service, Icelandair continues to play a vital role in connecting Scotland’s tourism industry to a broader international market, particularly those traveling from North America. Visitors to Iceland and Scotland can now enjoy more frequent flights and a more flexible travel schedule, making it easier to explore both destinations.
Tourism Opportunities in Iceland and Scotland
For tourists traveling between Scotland and Iceland, the new route offers opportunities to experience both countries’ unique tourism offerings. Iceland, with its otherworldly landscapes, including volcanoes, hot springs, and the Northern Lights, is a top destination for nature lovers and adventure tourists. Meanwhile, Scotland continues to attract visitors for its historical sites, whisky distilleries, and cosmopolitan cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The Icelandair service helps make these destinations more accessible to tourists, with easier connections to North American cities, enabling visitors to explore the best of Europe and North America in one trip. Whether embarking on a Scotland sightseeing tour or an Icelandic adventure, travelers will now find it more convenient to visit both countries, enhancing the tourism experience.
The Future of Icelandair and Scottish Tourism
With the new Edinburgh-Reykjavik route, Icelandair has reinforced its commitment to the long-term growth of tourism in Scotland and the broader North Atlantic region. The year-round flights will serve not only to improve tourism access to Iceland but also to support Scotland’s tourism sector as it continues to recover and thrive post-pandemic. The Iceland-Scotland connection is set to become even more integral as tourists seek sustainable and flexible travel options to explore both countries’ natural beauty and cultural landmarks.
As tourism continues to evolve and grow, Icelandair’s role in linking Iceland, Scotland, and North America will be pivotal in strengthening the region’s position as a top-tier tourism destination. With new and expanded routes, the airline’s future in global tourism looks set to continue flourishing, bringing more visitors to the vibrant landscapes and rich histories of both Scotland and Iceland.
Image Credit: Icelandair
