Summary
Icelandair has had a long association with the Boeing 757.
This airliner has allowed the small airline to operate a network of scheduled services linking Europe with North America via its hub at Keflavik, thanks to its good range and comfort.
But with more modern Airbus A321neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft now dominating Icelandair’s fleet, the 757 is slowly being removed.
A Storied (and Still Evolving) Legacy
Icelandair 80th anniversary scheme. Photo (c) Matt Varley
Icelandair’s adoption of the Boeing 757 began in earnest in the early 2000s. The airline introduced a 757‑200 with a modernized cabin in April 2000, following the addition of the first 757‑300 in 1999.
Since then, the 757‑200 has anchored Icelandair’s cross-Atlantic and Europe services, prized for its range, versatility, and suitability for varied demand patterns.
The 757’s retirement is underway: Icelandair plans to phase out the type by 2026, replacing it with Airbus A321LRs and A321XLRs as part of a strategic fleet renewal.
Today’s Fleet Composition
| Aircraft Type | In Service | Notes |
| Boeing 757‑200 | 11 | Wingleted, average age ~26 years, used on key routes. One inactive |
| Boeing 757‑300 | 2 | Wingleted; currently wet‑leased to Uzbekistan’s Fly Khiva, marking the end of Icelandair’s use of this variant |
The 757‑300s (TF‑FIX and TF‑ISX) are no longer flying for Icelandair — transferred to Fly Khiva in early 2025 to operate under a wet-lease arrangement in Uzbekistan, ahead of full retirement.
Meanwhile, the 757‑200 remains a backbone of long-haul operations, even as Airbus narrowbody replacements loom.
Routes Where the 757 Still Rules
oeing 757-256 TF-FIU of Icelandair, painted in special Northern Lights colour scheme. (Nigel Richardson)
Icelandair continues to operate its Boeing 757‑200s on transatlantic and European routes, optimally linking Reykjavík (KEF) with both continents.
Regular Boeing 757 destinations from Keflavik include:
- Amsterdam Schiphol
- Berlin
- Boston
- Copenhagen
- Denver
- Dublin
- Glasgow
- Hamburg
- London Gatwick
- London Heathrow
- Manchester
- Milan Malpensa
- Munich
- Newark Liberty
- Orlando International
- Oslo
- Paris Charles de Gaulle
- Portland, OR
- Rome Fiumicino
- Stockholm Arlanda
- Zurich
It is notable that only Icelandair and United still operate 757 flights from the U.S. to Europe.
Among the longest Boeing 757 routes globally, Icelandair features prominently — reflecting the aircraft’s exceptional reach within its operational envelope.
Post-pandemic rebounds highlight some of the busiest Reykjavik links: Boston, Newark, Portland (Oregon) rank among the most frequently flown 757 sectors.
More broadly, 757s remain frequent visitors to leisure and European connections traditionally served by Icelandair from KEF, including cities like Frankfurt, Manchester, Düsseldorf, and Edinburgh.
Why the Boeing 757 Still Matters at Icelandair
- Hub strategy fit: Icelandair’s network depends on one-stop connections between North America and Europe, and the 757’s range and capacity remain uniquely suited for thinner legs that larger widebodies can’t serve as efficiently.
- Transitional powerhouse: As Airbus narrowbodies arrive (4 leased A321LRs by summer 2025, plus 13 ordered A321XLRs for 2029+), 757s will bridge until full fleet transition.
[Read: How the A321LR is reshaping Icelandair’s Route Network]
The Boeing 757’s Lasting Legacy with Icelandair
Boeing 757-308 TF-FIX of Icelandair. (Eric Salard, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)
Icelandair’s Boeing 757 fleet has flown for decades as the airline’s workhorse, with 11 active 757‑200s still connecting Reykjavik with Europe and North America as of 2025. While the two 757‑300s have been handed off to Fly Khiva, the 757‑200 continues to deliver on routes that demand its range, flexibility, and economics.
As Airbus A321LRs and XLRs enter service, the era of the 757 at Icelandair will draw to a close — but not without leaving behind a unique legacy of iconic flights, stopovers, and spotting moments that have defined transatlantic travel for aviation fans.
