{"id":395826,"date":"2025-09-03T23:56:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T23:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/395826\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T23:56:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T23:56:12","slug":"icelandair-introduces-new-flights-to-istanbul-and-edinburgh-set-to-boost-tourism-in-turkey-and-scotland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/395826\/","title":{"rendered":"Icelandair Introduces New Flights to Istanbul and Edinburgh Set to Boost Tourism in Turkey and Scotland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Home<\/a> \u00bb AIRLINE NEWS<\/a> \u00bb Icelandair Introduces New Flights to Istanbul and Edinburgh Set to Boost Tourism in Turkey and Scotland <\/p>\n

Published on
\nSeptember 4, 2025<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Icelandair\u2019<\/a>s new flights to Istanbul and Edinburgh mark an exciting expansion in the airline\u2019s network, designed to boost tourism between Iceland, Turkey and Scotland. Starting in September 2025, the airline will offer direct connectivity to Istanbul, its easternmost destination and Edinburgh, a city never previously served by Icelandair. These new routes will provide travellers with seamless connections to and from Iceland, enhancing travel options not only within Europe but also to and from Asia and the Middle East. With strategic timing and strong partnerships, especially with Turkish Airlines, Icelandair aims to create an efficient, well-connected network that caters to a growing demand for travel to Iceland and beyond. These developments demonstrate the airline\u2019s commitment to broadening its horizons and providing more convenient routes to passengers travelling between Iceland, Turkey and Scotland.<\/p>\n

Icelandair<\/a> Adds Istanbul to Its Growing Network<\/p>\n

On September 5, 2025, Icelandair will launch its Keflavik (KEF)<\/strong> to Istanbul (IST)<\/strong> route, marking its first-ever service to Istanbul. This addition to the Icelandair network is especially significant, as it represents the airline\u2019s longest 737 operation, with a 5-hour 30-minute eastbound flight and 5-hour 55-minute westbound flight. The new route will be operated by Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with a seating capacity of 160 seats, including 16 business class and 144 economy class seats.<\/p>\n

The route will operate four times a week, with FI900 departing from Keflavik at 3:25 PM and arriving in Istanbul at 11:55 PM. The return flight, FI901, will leave Istanbul at 7:05 AM and arrive in Keflavik at 10:00 AM. The flights will run on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for the eastbound leg, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays for the westbound leg.<\/p>\n

Icelandair\u2019s expansion into Istanbul is the result of the growing demand for travel between Iceland and Asia, as well as the Middle East. The new service will also provide greater connectivity to Turkey, offering one-stop flights from Istanbul to numerous destinations across Asia and the Middle East.<\/p>\n

This route is a significant step for Icelandair as it moves away from its traditionally North American-focused services and begins to cater to Eastern European and Asian travellers. It will serve as a key connection for those travelling from Asia and the Middle East to Iceland, as well as for travellers connecting through Iceland to North America.<\/p>\n

This new route is complemented by an expanded partnership between Icelandair and Turkish Airlines. Originally announced in summer 2023, the partnership aims to enhance connectivity for passengers travelling to Iceland via Istanbul. The new flights from Keflavik to Istanbul will be strategically timed to align with Turkish Airlines\u2019 extensive network, which spans more countries than any other airline in the world.<\/p>\n

The partnership will allow Icelandair passengers to seamlessly connect with Turkish Airlines\u2019 flights to destinations in Asia and the Middle East. The alignment of schedules will enable passengers to reduce their total travel time significantly, making travel between Asia and Iceland more efficient than ever before.<\/p>\n

Bogi Nils Bogason, the CEO of Icelandair, commented on the significance of the new route, expressing excitement about adding Istanbul to their network. He mentioned that the expanded partnership with Turkish Airlines would provide more convenient connections between Iceland and the East, while further strengthening their sales and distribution network.<\/p>\n

Icelandair Brings Direct Service to Edinburgh<\/a><\/p>\n

Alongside its expansion into Istanbul, Icelandair is also introducing new flights to Edinburgh, Scotland, for the first time ever. This service will operate year-round between Keflavik and Edinburgh Airport (EDI), starting on September 12, 2025<\/strong>. The new route will be operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, featuring both economy and premium cabins, with flights running up to four times a week from September to April.<\/p>\n

The flight schedule for the Edinburgh service is as follows:<\/p>\n