Vestrahorn, often called The Horned Mountain, is a breathtaking multi-peak mountain in Southeast Iceland. Icelandair is one of the few European airlines to own a Boeing 737 MAX Flight Simulator and our experienced pilots underwent extensive training. Passengers looking to try this beer can find it on the 737 MAX 8 andand in the Icelandair Saga Lounge at Keflavik International airport for a limited time. Seat 1 A is a standard Business Class seat located at a bulkhead. At takeoff, the MAX 8 was as quiet as I was told to expect. The close attention from the flight attendants, the amenities, the food, and the drinks were closer to what you would find on those lie-flat, long haul business class products, in my experience. Qatar Airways Its pyramid is formed from basaltic strata and thought by some to be one of the energy centers of Iceland. 2x points on all other eligible purchases. Lets see why. This is true of the two flights I completed, I have added some notes about the meal on the return leg on the Boeing 757, which was also excellent when it comes to food and drink. At the mountains base is Hlmanes, a beautiful nature reserve. United Airlines is the director of content and face of TPG UK, and is also an award-winning photographer. The 'Viking lamb' broth tasted like dishwater with bits and wasn't cheap at 7 (over $9) per serving. Its an oasis of tuff boulders, meadows and blue ponds below the Dyrfjll mountains. Seat back recline might be limited. 1999-2023 Icelandair. Or is that privilege granted to miles earned guests? ", "Additionally I was had to purchase IFE headphones for an additional 3 ($4). For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. EDITOR-AT-LARGE / DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - SEATTLE, WA Francis Zera is a Seattle-based architectural, aerial, aviation, and commercial photographer, a freelance photojournalist, and a confirmed AvGeek. The beer is made with Pacific Northwest hops and European malts. I spent close to three hours there and I wish I had more time. Every seat has a personal television with audio and video OnDemand.More Information. Seat 18 D is a standard Economy Class seat. There is additional personal space due to the recline restriction of the seat in front. The proximity to the galley and lavatory area might be bothersome. The airline is planning to fly up to 80% of its 2019 capacity in the fourth . Floating on its blue surface are magnificent icebergs from Vatnajkull, the largest glacier in Europe. I was particularly impressed by the food. Dreamliner Service was also outstanding throughout the flight. Just like many domestic first class flights, there are two-seat sections on either side of the aisle for a grand total of 16 Icelandair business class seats. Icelandair becomes the latest to welcome a brand new 737 MAX Credit: Paul Jokull. Personal space might also be limited if the seat in front is reclined. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Seat 10 B is a standard Economy Class seat. Seat 3 A is a standard Business Class seat. Boo those window screens ruin the fun for photos. It also gives a midway break at Keflavik and an option to spend a few days in Iceland at no additional cost for the flights. The coathook is a nice touch, especially when youre dressed for Icelandic weather. Its fleet of 26 aircraft consists entirely of Boeing planes configured with three classes: Economy Class, Economy Comfort Class and Saga Class, which is Icelandair's branded name for Business Class. Seat 26 D is a standard Economy Class seat. Finally, we were given the food menu, which came with a designated starter and dessert, but gave each traveler the choice between two main courses. It's a big, modern space with all the amenities one would need to start a journey or during a layover. The 737 MAX also leaves a 40% smaller noise footprint than its predecessors, even though the engines are more powerful. Both the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737 MAX 9 have a maximum cruise speed of 839 km/h (521 mph) and a flight range up to 6,510 km (4,045 mi). Get alerts like this one sent to your inbox with Thrifty Traveler Premium! Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Although served cold, the steak and potato salad main course was fresh and delicious. The rest of the service sounds great and that is something Lufthansa is lacking these days. Economy Class is the lowest fare class. Icelandair has reported a loss of $68 million for the first half of 2021 but is keenly looking to the future as it sees the first signs of a turnaround. Seat 1 D is a standard Business Class seat located at a bulkhead. Safety It unfolded into a half-tray first, which was nice for my pre-departure drink. I was delayed in getting there due to some extra security screening, but was still able to board with the other Premium passengers ahead of the rest of the plane. Saga Class has 20 seats and extends from rows 1-5. In fact, it was the main reason why the flight was so enjoyable. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. Behind the buffet were refrigerators full of beers (including Iceland's own Gull), sodas, sparkling wines and other drinks. Seat 21 D is a standard Economy Class seat. From a user experience point of view, it worked great: smooth, quick and aesthetically pleasing. Seat 7 C is a standard Economy Class seat. Each seat offers 40" (101.6cm) of legroom and 20.5" (50cm) of seat width. Seat 8 F is a standard Economy Class seat. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Each screen is equipped with a USB charger and a headphone jack as well. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Seat 16 F is a standard Economy Class seat. Seat 27 E is a standard Economy Class seat. The refrigerators and this countertop replaced a traditional bar. A choice of a seat selection is offered when booking a ticket. Seat 15 B is a standard Economy Class seat. 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. Begin your search by selecting one of these departure cities. The meal was delicious. Weird. The MAX comes with a visual sign that indicates when the wifi is on (see on the right). Seat 11 C is a standard Economy Class seat. Alaska Airlines Seat 20 C is a standard Economy Class seat. After that, follow the signs for security by heading upstairs. Every row in Icelandair business class had at least one window - while row 2, where I sat, had two windows. An Icelandair business-class ticket holder gets access to the Aer Lingus lounge when departing Heathrow's Terminal 2, but the food and drink offering here was very disappointing with the only hot food option being a soup, which tasted artificial and straight out of a can. Your email address will not be published. Both perks probably saved me close to 30 minutes of check-in and security lines, helping me get to the Saga Lounge faster. This is Icelandair's first new route in more than two years, and I. All of them have Saga Premium in a 2x2 configuration, except the 767 which is 2x1x2. Access is free for Saga Class passengers. Seat 26 F is a standard Economy Class seat. Seat 2 A is a standard Business Class seat. Its a near-perfect cone-shaped peak, with reddish-orange appearance due to its rhyolite composition. 2018/09/10 for Seat Row 5 6 and 7. All rights reserved. Technical Specification Length: 39,5 m (129'6") Wingspan: 35,9 m (117'10") Cruising speed: 839 km/h (521 mph) Maximum range: 6,510 km (4,045 mi) Maximum take-off weight: 82,200 kg (181,200 lb) Engine: 2 x CFM International LEAP-1B Boeing 737 MAX - Seatmap and seat info There were some downsides: Icelandair flies this aircraft on journeys of five hours and more, and for a longer flight the seat would have become uncomfortable with its poor recline and lack of foot or leg rests in Row 1. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year. Since I flew both legs of my trip to Iceland on Icelandair Saga Premium business class, I had the chance to experience also the Saga Lounge at Keflavik, Icelandairs hub airport. The proximity to the galley and lavatory area might be bothersome. Passengers flying Saga Class enjoy good working space and Icelandair lounge access in Iceland and other countries. The private seating areas were incredibly quiet and extra comfy. Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. The service was particularly excellent. The hand soaps were Blue Lagoon-branded, as the famous Icelandic tourist attraction has also turned itself into a beauty and soaps brand, too. Seat 24 D is a standard Economy Class seat. Seat 4 F is a standard Business Class seat. Its most likely there to reduce thermal gain in the warmer months, but it makes for lousy photos out the windows. The entertainment system had a decent list of offerings for the flight. Seat 12 A is a standard Economy Class seat located in an Exit Row. You, certainly, wont get bored on your Icelandair flight. Seat 28 B is a standard Economy Class seat located in the last row of the aircraft. The seawater has carved three large holes through the rock, sculpting and shaping it into this striking form. Seat 19 A is a standard Economy Class seat. And while it might not measure up to other international business class offerings, you can book these seats for much cheaper. Each Icelandair business class seat came prepared with a pillow, blanket, and a leather amenities kit on top. The proximity to the galley and lavatory area might be bothersome. The best seats in the house, however, were these green recliners. I tried out Saga business class, while Liam Spencer, TPG U.K.'s senior social media manager, headed to the back of the plane and compared my experience to Icelandair's economy class. In the first row in Saga, your IFE screen is on the bulkhead, and the USB charger port and headphone port are both on the bottom edge of the frame. Seat 5 F is a standard Economy Class seat located at the bulkhead. There is no floor storage for use during take-off and landing. At security, stay to the left in the Fast Lane, which was also significantly shorter than the standard security checkpoint lane. Related: The 7 most extreme ways to see the northern lights. And, of course, there are expansive views of the ramps to keep the AvGeeks happy. If you're flying over to Iceland, I'd recommend choosing a seat on the left side of the plane for potential Northern Lights viewing. Aircraft: Boeing 737-9 MAX. 2) The business class lounge. I flew in economy, in seat 25A. Its always comforting to watch your bag being loaded onto the same plane youre flying in. We are flying Premium Saga. - Icelandair - Reykjavik Airport - 102 Reykjavik. It is a substantial improvement on the old Air Canada Business Class Seat in the narrow body Airbus Series aircraft, featuring a more comfortable seat, along with a more functional space that surrounds it. Icelandair has no lie flat beds, which kind of makes sense when you consider most of its flights are less than 5h long (most of the European ones are even shorter). Every row in Icelandair business class had at least one window while row 2, where I sat, had two windows. How does the airline accommodate with all the stairs? The proximity to the galley and lavatory area might be bothersome. There were no fellow travelers waiting in line when I arrived and I was helped right away. Tons of lava-style rocks were strewn about the space. Seat 17 F is a standard Economy Class seat. economy This is pretty standard for . Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. I was wondering why Iceland air prices were half the price I would pay for a Lufthansa Business Class seat but seeing the seats this is what Lufthansa has now as Premium Eco and needs of course a lot less space in the plane so this is the main reason for these cheaper prices. Livery of the Week My only complaint is that the airport consistently uses metal screens between the panes of exterior glass. On this flight, the course options were the beer-braised short ribs or the citrus arctic char. If youve flown on a 737NG with the Boeing Sky Interior, youve seen these bins. Seat back recline might be limited. Each seat came with its own power outlet, too. The seatback screens pulled out a little bit to improve viewing angles, which was handy especially when the seat in front of me reclined. 2023 Thrifty Traveler. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. The seat is closer to what you'd find in domestic first class on any U.S. carrier like American, Delta, or United. But the service in Icelandair's Saga Premium cabin is what set it apart. That arrangement is typical of what you'll find on any Icelandair flight, though some other planes may have more Saga seats total. There are two classes offered. (Screenshot courtesy of Ookla) Connectivity is also available on the 767, but it's far slower, when it works at all. Seat 15 D is a standard Economy Class seat. Photo: Icelandair Economy Class is the lowest fare class. Seat 2 C is a standard Business Class seat. No special amenities here for Saga Premium Class passengers. I didnt use the IFE system for much other than tracking our progress, but I did note a reasonably wide selection of stuff to watch. First Flight Seat 13 A is a standard Economy Class seat located in an Exit Row and features additional legroom. It is not the bank advertisers responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. Icelandairs MAX 8 seat map there are 144 standard seats and 16 in Saga Premium. But I do wish the bathrooms werent quite so tiny. The crew is also able to prepare some excellent cocktails, like the one I tried, Espresso Martini (see the return trip notes further down for pics). A stink of kerosene in the cabin or any din are not present. The scallops with a barley and shrimp salad was doused in a tremendous sauce. Disclosure: Icelandair invited AirlineReporter on board at its expense for the round-trip flights; our opinions remain our own. All passengers in Premium were offered complimentary noise-canceling headphones to use during the flight, too. Flight Review: Icelandairs 737 MAX 8 Saga Premium. The overhead bins on the MAX 8 are absolutely cavernous, especially compared to those on the 757s. Boeing 737 The tray table is located in the armrest making the armrest immovable and slightly reducing seat width. Even though the MAX 8 is a smaller aircraft, interior space utilization is worlds better than on the aging 757, with a corresponding moderate increase in legroom. Moreover, if you are flying out of Keflavik, the Saga Lounge is an absolute delight. Seat 21 F is a standard Economy Class seat. Fantastic review with lots of detail. Each Premium seat featured a large entertainment screen, too. Economy Review It was also pretty reliable throughout most of the trip. This place is a win for me. Gunnar is a reporter and flight deal analyst at Thrifty Traveler who joined the team in July 2021. Seat 10 A is a standard Economy Class seat. It doesnt pretend to be anything other than exactly what it is, which is both refreshing and very Icelandic. Seat 13 E is a standard Economy Class seat located in an Exit Row and features additional legroom. It only took a few minutes for all 16 passengers in the full Icelandair Saga cabin to get seated. Connect to the internet when onboard was a pretty straightforward process. In addition to Prosecco, Icelandair business class passengers could get Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve champagne, which is quite nice. Seat 21 B is a standard Economy Class seat. Seat 25 E is a standard Economy Class seat. By the way, one of the tiny, tiny differences I noticed in the B757 is that the gap between the right arm rest and the cabin wall seemed to be slightly wider, making it slightly less convenient to leave your stuff there. Seat 5 E is a standard Economy Class seat located at the bulkhead. The engine blades are made of super strong carbon, woven together with a 3D-technique. Icelandair allows passengers to stopover in Iceland on their way to more than 25 destinations in Europe, or more than 11 destinations in North America, at no additional airfare. Airbus A380 Its one of the few mountains made from gabbro rock, which gives it unique dark colors. That's a decent price but we've found much better prices for our Thrifty Traveler Premium members over the years including many roundtrip fares for less than $1,000. Thanks for sharing your stories. Icelandair was founded in 1937 and has been synonymous with Iceland ever since. Icelandair 737 MAX 8 ECONOMY Review Travelog 4.59K subscribers Subscribe 248 Share 19K views 1 year ago KEFLAVK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT I booked a 737 MAX as my return flight from. After the treat and before our descent, we were offered one final drink order. Seat 6 D is a standard Economy Class seat. There is additional personal space due to the recline restriction of the seat in front. Its name translates to door hill island.. To recline the seat, you press the silver button on the inside of the right armrest, just as with a traditional economy plane seat. Your email address will not be published. There is a neat divide with the economy class cabin (not just a simple curtain). Icelandair flies both the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9. Just what I was looking for before booking our flight to Helsinki, From what you are telling us, the extra money is well worth it! Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737 MAX 9 are the latest additions to our fleet. The gin list was the most extensive menu on the flight, including five Icelandic gins as well as Tanqueray. The lavatory was also as standard as they come. I was happy to read your review even though I have already booked our flights from New York to London. There is no floor storage for use during take-off and landing. Seats 164. Seat back recline is limited due to the other Exit Row behind, however, there is additional personal space due to the recline restriction of the seat in front. Seat 7 E is a standard Economy Class seat. These are not one-use and the crew takes them back after the flight. The standard European plugs were accompanied by USB ports at every single seat in the house except for the dining tables near the food. Seat back recline is limited due to the Exit Row directly behind. Join me for this full #flightreport in Business Class (Saga Premium) from #LondonHeathrow to #Reykjavik (#Keflavik). The dedicated gin menu with local options was a noticeable and impressive touch. Your email address will not be published. The tray table is located in the armrest making the armrest immovable and slightly reducing seat width. Virgin America, Copyright 2023 AirlineReporter Icelandair is set to deploy its new Boeing 737 MAX 8 series aircraft on a new long-haul route next month. Seat 16 C is a standard Economy Class seat. Air New Zealand Seat 5 A is a standard Economy Class seat located at the bulkhead. All Rights Reserved, Dash-Ten Out of Ten: Uniteds 787-10 Inaugural From SFO to Newark. Video There were just two reds, two whites, and two sparkling wines, each selection was very detailed with recommended food pairings. Economy Class passengers receive complimentary soft drinks and are offered meals and snacks that they may purchase during the journey. Seat 22 F is a standard Economy Class seat. Icelandairs MAX 8 Saga Premium is a solid product relatively spacious, comfortable, with good food and good service. The five MAX-8 planes will be kept in Toulouse, France, in order to protect them from wear and tear caused by harsher weather conditions at Keflavk Airport. The self-service drinks included all coffee drinks, too, which were available from four or five different machines spread throughout the lounge. Read on for my full review. In celebration of the 737 MAX 8, Icelandair in collaboration withBoyne Brewhouse in Ireland, release a 737 Transatlantic IPA. They also have plenty of space and surfaces to leave your belongings, food drinks, books or whatever you need, as well as being fitted with electrical sockets to recharge your devices. Find the right card for you. Seat 17 A is a standard Economy Class seat. It's a fairly basic amenity kit but on par with what you get even on premium business class flights to and from Europe. I cover it in detail towards the end of this flight review, since I used it on my return journey. After we took off and got to cruising altitude, the flight attendants came by again with food and drink menus and took another drink order. Seat 17 C is a standard Economy Class seat. The Boeing 737-9 MAX on the first leg of the trip was an absolute pleasure to fly. I had flown the MAX before, but it was really a nice surprise to rediscover how quiet and smooth it its. Seat 11 D is a standard Economy Class seat. I love the 757. Seat 11 E is a standard Economy Class seat. My flight in late April cost $797 one-way from Reykjavik (KEF) to Boston (BOS). This plane was delivered to the airline in June 2021 and has the capacity to carry 166 passengers (132 in economy, 18 in AM Plus, and 16 in Clase Premier). Icelandair also offered a soft drink menu and a selection of three beers, three liqueurs, and seven spirits. Seat 19 F is a standard Economy Class seat. The seats featured soft, winged headrests that you could position how you wish as well. Seat 12 D is a standard Economy Class seat located in an Exit Row. Seat 25 A is a standard Economy Class seat. Despite the long list of people who can get into the lounge, the lounge was not too crowded during my visit last month even during the morning rush. Sign up for our free newsletter and get the latest news, insights, and money-saving tips. Passengers can hold their moderate belongings on their knees. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard. Nicky said that his 552 business-class seat didn't represent good value for money Putting Icelandair's 737 Max economy cabin through its paces is Liam Spencer, TPG UK's senior social. Seat back recline is limited due to the other Exit Row behind, however, there is additional personal space due to the recline restriction of the seat in front. I'll admit it was a tad strange and was not what I was expecting, but I didn't hate it, either. And if you dont drink alcohol there is also, of course, an ample supply of prime Icelandic mineral water! #PaxEx I chose the seats deliberately so I could compare relative legroom across the two aircraft types. I had the chance to fly twice on Icelandair's business class (called Saga Premium), most of this flight report refers to my experience with the first flight, between Stockholm Arlanda and Reykjavik. Certain hotels have resort fees. So is it worth the premium to fly Icelandair Saga over a standard economy ticket? Seat 15 E is a standard Economy Class seat. The return leg of the trip was done on a Boeing 757 (the one with the beautiful Vatnajkull special livery no less!). Boeing 787 Inside the leather kits was a hand lotion, socks, a face mask, earplugs, a toothbrush and toothpaste, some hand sanitizer, and stickers to indicate if you want to be woken up for meals or not. Seat 6 E is a standard Economy Class seat. We boarded a 2-year-old Icelandair Boeing 737 MAX 8, departing London Heathrow (LHR), flying for two hours and 36 minutes to Keflavik Airport (KEF). If I were connecting in Iceland after a long flight, these shower rooms would be a fantastic option before taking my next flight.
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