Icelandair boosts services at Birmingham Airport with new Reykjavik flights
AIRLINE Icelandair is boosting services out of Birmingham Airport with two new flights to Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik.
The new flights will operate twice weekly – Thursdays and Mondays – from February 5, 2015 and in doing so, Birmingham will become Icelandair’s fifth gateway in the UK and its 39th overall.
Andres Jonsson, General Manager of Icelandair UK, said: “We are delighted to announce Birmingham as our newest gateway in the UK. Our first route from the Midlands will not only open up opportunities of travelling to and from Iceland but also a refreshing and convenient way to North America.”
With a flight time of just under three hours from Birmingham, the Nordic country is expected to become a popular year-round destination for travellers from the Midlands.
“Iceland’s nature, including the Northern Lights and the hot springs, has always been the biggest attraction but Icelandic locals will also offer a warm welcome. In fact, Iceland was voted the friendliest nation on earth in a recent poll by World Economic Forum,” added Jonsson.
The new service will also offer a connecting route into North America, he said.
“By using Iceland’s geographical position midway between Europe and North America we can offer some of the fastest elapse times from Birmingham to popular destinations such as Washington D.C. and Seattle.”
William Pearson, Birmingham Airport’s Aviation Development Director, added, “The decision by Icelandair to commence services from Birmingham is fantastic news for Midlands’ business and leisure travellers wanting to reach Reykjavik, and indeed onwards to the USA and Canada using Icelandair’s strong network of connecting flights.
“The carrier recognises the benefits that Birmingham Airport can deliver to its operation and its passengers, such as the strong local catchment, excellent road and rail access and efficient terminal infrastructure.”
The Birmingham service will be operated by an Icelandair Boeing 757, seating 183 passengers. There will be three levels of cabin service, leather seats and personal in-flight entertainment systems.
Tickets for the new routes have already gone on sale with flight numbers and timings scheduled as:
• FI494 departs Reykjavik (KEF) 07:50, arriving in Birmingham (BHX) 10:25
• FI495 departs Birmingham (BHX) 12:25, arriving in Reykjavik (KEF) 15:10
In addition to Birmingham, Icelandair also flies year-round services from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow.
