Iceland Archives - TravelSkills

Routes: Seattle and SFO; Delta, WOW, AA, Emirates, United, BA + more

March 31, 2017

Sir Richard Branson frolics at Seattle-Tacoma as Virgin Atlantic starts service there. (Image: Virgin Atlantic)

In international route news, Virgin Atlantic starts a pair of west coast routes; Delta resumes a transatlantic route and adds a South American one; Iceland’s WOW brings its low-fare service to the Midwest; American puts a new cabin class on sale; Emirates scales back at LAX but British Airways grows there; United starts two seasonal routes to Rome; Finnair drops a U.S. gateway; and Copa doubles down at O’Hare.

Virgin Atlantic Airways this week kicked off its new service to Seattle, using a 787-9 for its daily flights to London Heathrow. Virgin’s operations in the U.S. are closely coordinated with joint venture partner Delta, and Virgin’s new Seattle service replaces Delta’s daily flight to London. Delta was using a 767, so Virgin’s 787-9 increases capacity on the route by 50 seats a day. Also this week, Virgin Atlantic introduced new seasonal service from San Francisco International to Manchester, using an A330-300. That route operates three days a week (Tuesday, Friday and Sunday). It’s the only SFO-Manchester non-stop service, but it won’t be for long: On May 14, U.K. leisure carrier Thomas Cook Airlines will begin two flights a week with an A330-200. All this is in addition to British Airways four daily nonstops from the Bay Area to London!

Delta will fly to the beaches of Rio from JFK starting in December (Image: VisitBrazil.com)

Delta will expand its South America reach later this year with new daily service between New York JFK and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, slated to launch December 21. Using a 210-passenger 767-300 with Delta One flatbed seats, Delta will offer onward connections at Rio to 23 Brazilian destinations thanks to its Brazilian partner GOL. Meanwhile, Delta this week resumed service on the Atlanta-Brussels route, flying five times a week (increasing to daily during summer) with a 767-400. Delta had suspended the route a year ago after the Brussels terror attacks, although it maintained daily flights to Brussels from JFK.

On July 13, Icelandic low-cost carrier WOW will add another U.S. gateway, starting service four days a week to Reykjavik from Chicago O’Hare. The carrier said it is offering one-way base fares starting as low as $99 (plus extras) from ORD to Iceland, or $149 for connections to major European capitals. The flights will operate Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using an A321-300 with 30-inch seat pitch (or 34 inches for an additional fee).

American’s new premium economy seating is on 787-9s in select markets. (Image: American Airlines).

American Airlines’ new international premium economy seats, currently available on a few routes out of Dallas/Ft. Worth, have been used for upgrades during their rollout. But now the airline is putting the new cabin category on sale for travel beginning May 4. AA’s premium economy class is on its new 787-9s from DFW to Paris, Madrid, Sao Paulo and Seoul. Seats are 19 inches wide with 38 inches of pitch (vs. 33-34 inches in Main Cabin Extra) in a 2-3-2 layout.

Is that U.S. laptop ban starting to hurt business for the big Middle Eastern carriers? Routesonline.com reports that Emirates is “temporarily adjusting” its schedule between Los Angeles and Dubai, cutting service from two flights a day to one from May 1 through June 30.

But Routesonline.com says that British Airways is planning an increased schedule from LAX to London Heathrow, bringing on a third daily flight effective October 29. The additional frequency will use a 787-9. On the same date, BA will boost its New Orleans-LHR schedule from four flights a week to five. Meanwhile, BA this week introduced its biggest bird – the 469-passenger A380-800 – into the aircraft mix on its Boston-London route, where the giant jet operates Mondays and Fridays.

United’s seasonal international schedule adjustments start to kick in next week. On April 4, the carrier will begin seasonal service from Newark to Rome and from Washington Dulles to Rome, both using 767s. The Newark flights continue through November 8, while the Dulles schedule is in place through October 27. Also on April 4, United will lay on extra frequencies from Newark to Paris, Dublin and London.

Trying to get from Miami to Helsinki this summer? Forget Finnair, which is suspending service on that route from May 1 through September 30, according to Routesonline.com. The Finnish carrier is also cutting back Chicago-Helsinki frequencies from five flights a week to three.

Panama’s Copa Airlines is doubling its service from Chicago O’Hare to Panama City effective June 1, when it will supplement its existing daily morning departure with a midafternoon flight out of ORD. Copa has onward service from its Panama City hub to 50 destinations in Latin America.

ICYMI, see the 25 most recent TravelSkills posts right here

In the market for a new credit card? See our “Credit Card Deals” tab to shop around! It helps us help you.

Don’t miss out! Join the 200,000+ people who read TravelSkills every month! Sign up here for one email-per-day updates!

Reader Report: WOW Air to Iceland in economy class

February 27, 2017

WOW flies A330s from the West Coast. (Image: WOW Air)

Over the last year there have been numerous TravelSkills posts about WOW Air and its ultra-low fares from the US to Europe. Until now we’ve only wondered what the experience might be like. But this week reader Jason Vaudrey submitted the following Reader Report describing his experience. Read it, and let us know if you’d take the plunge on WOW Air, too!

In mid-February, I flew WOW Air in economy class to Reykjavik (KEF) and met up with a friend and explored South Iceland. WOW Air began nonstop service from SFO this past year using an Airbus 330-200. On this widebody there are 319 economy class seats and 23 roomier XL seats.

My baseline fare was about $220 each way, but I ended up spending about $650 total roundtrip when you add in the extra fees. I reserved a specific seat which cost an additional $14 each way. I paid $71 each way to check my bag. I probably spent about $50 on inflight food and beverages (wine). I did not pay the $50 fee for my carry on because it was small enough to fit under the seat. [Currently, WOW is promoting base fares as now as $260 roundtrip for spring trips from both SFO and LAX.]

Flight time on SFO-KEF is about eight hours. I departed on Monday, February 13 at 11:20am and arrived to Reykjavik (KEF) on Tuesday, February 14 at 4:00am. On the return, I departed Reykjavik at 4:00pm and arrived to San Francisco at 5:10pm on the same day. There is an 8-hour difference between the west coast of the U.S. and Iceland.

Don’t miss: WOW Air adding roomier “premium seats” this summer!

WOW Air route map

I chose seat 5C outbound and on the return I sat in 5H. Both were aisle seats, but I noticed that 5C could not fit my backpack under the seat easily while 5H stored it very easily. And there was no metal box underneath the seat in front of me that would have prevented this from happening.

I also felt that on the return there was greater seat pitch. The WOW Air website indicates that there is 31 inches of seat pitch in economy, but it felt like the seat pitch was greater, even in 5C. WOW Air also offers 23 XL seats at the front of the plane with 34 inches of pitch. Here’s the WOW Air A330 seatmap from SeatGuru.com

The check-in process at SFO is smooth and they weigh all checked luggage at SFO, so that they confirm you paid the proper amount. They also tag your carry-on bag at the check-in counter and verify it at the gate, to indicate to the cabin crew that the bag will need to be placed underneath the seat in front of you.

Despite the vigilance of the ground staff, the cabin crew did not seem to care if you stored your bag in the overhead lockers, as I did with my backpack and many other passengers did, too. Unlike most flights, where there is a battle for overhead bin space, this was a non-issue on both flights.

There is no seatback entertainment system, but upon takeoff the cabin crew offers iPads for $16 that have movies available and there is an electrical outlet to charge your devices, but only one, so you will need to share with your seatmate. I did not rent an iPad, so I was unsure as to what was offered on them. No USB ports or wi-fi are available on board the airplane.

Chicken salad pre-ordered for flight from KEF back to SFO (Photo: Jason Vaudrey)

There are charges for all beverages and snacks— there’s a plentiful selection and comparable with prices that you would pay for the same food in Iceland. They offer alcoholic beverages and a variety of specialty sandwiches for flights from LAX and SFO.

Online you may order food and prepay for the food for flights leaving Reykjavik, but preordering food for flights from SFO or any US destination is not available. If you are connecting in Reykjavik, you can pre-order food, but you will not receive it on your flight from SFO, but rather your connecting flight departing Reykjavik. I had pre-ordered a chicken salad on my return which was $16 and it was delicious.

Inflight food for purchase on WOW Air (Image: WOW Air)

Yes, a bottle of water is $3, so make sure to fill your water bottle at SFO prior to boarding. And no, they do not charge to use the lavatory.

Don’t miss: Shocked passenger refuses to pay $3 for water

The cabin crew brought out the beverage/food cart after takeoff offering a wide array of beverages and things to eat. Afterward they come around and offer duty free items. You may purchase alcohol on board and it might be wise to consider making a purchase (see below on alcohol in Iceland).

Throughout the flight, attendants encourage you to use your call button, and they are happy to bring you any item you need along with their mobile credit card machine (they do not accept cash). In fact, most places in Iceland have similar mobile devices and that worked out well.

Pleasant flight crew on WOW Air (Photo Jason Vaudrey)

After it was all said and done, I spent approximately $650 for my ticket purchased in the beginning of December for my trip in mid-February. And compared with Icelandair at $950, which would involve flying Alaska Airlines up to Seattle and connecting at Sea-Tac, I think the nonstop 8-hour flight on Wow Air is worth it. The employees (airport personnel, cabin crew, and pilots) were friendly and professional, the aircraft was extremely clean, plenty of items to purchase and items to satisfy both your hunger and entertainment needs.

There were approximately 100 seats empty on the outbound and 40 seats empty on the return flight. I went on Wow Air with the mindset that it was a budget carrier and I would have to pay for everything, and it worked out well.

The cabin crews on both flights were attentive, nice, and showed great hospitality. The seats were firm, but comfortable and the recline was decent. The lever for the seat recline was underneath the seat, as opposed to a button that you depress on the armrest. I managed to sleep four hours going to Reykjavik.

Relaxing in the Secret Lagoon on a Sunday afternoon in Fluoir about 100km from Reykjavik (Photo: Jason Vaudrey)

One important note: In Iceland, alcohol is sold only at government owned stores named Vinbudin. In fact, Wow Air has a page describing the history of alcohol in Iceland and the rules surrounding it. The cost for alcohol along with most items, is extremely expensive and taxed heavily, so stock up on alcohol upon landing in their duty free before exiting arrivals!

We were there a week and chose to rent a car and explore southern Iceland, used Reykjavik as a base, and took day trips around southern Iceland. It is easy to get around, and the roads are well maintained. If that is not comfortable, day excursions can be planned easily in central Reykjavik on their main road: Laugauvegur.

Above Skogafoss Waterfall, Skogar, Rangarping Eystra, Iceland (Photo: Jason Vaudrey)

Day trips are expensive and if you want to visit the infamous Blue Lagoon, book a reservation online early. We opted for the Secret Lagoon in Fluoir, which was not so much a secret, about 100 km from Reykjavik. It was wonderful. Many people were there, but it was not overwhelming and very enjoyable.

In February, the sun rises approximately at 9:30am and the sun sets about 6:00pm. The weather was not too bad and we were very fortunate, because upon leaving, it was forecast to snow.

Iceland is gorgeous and breathtaking. If you go in winter, seeing the Northern Lights is incredible. A quick trip just outside of Reykjavik and away from the light pollution of the city, you can witness it. We were fortunate to be able to view the Northern Lights one night when we realized how clear the sky was after returning from dinner in Reykjavik. But other than that, it was overcast each night.

–Jason Vaudrey (Read Jason’s report about Economy Class on Singapore Airlines’ new A350 here)

Are you interested in submitting a reader report to TravelSkills? Here are our guidelines. We’d love to hear from you!

ICYMI, see the 25 most recent TravelSkills posts right here

In the market for a new credit card? See our “Credit Card Deals” tab to shop around! It helps us help you.

Don’t miss out! Join the 200,000+ people who read TravelSkills every month! Sign up here for one email-per-day updates!

WOW Air adds “premium” seats for West Coast flights

February 1, 2017

WOW flies A330s from the West Coast. (Image: WOW Air)

Icelandic low-cost carrier WOW Air will be adding a new business-travel-friendly option for West Coast travelers this summer: premium seating.

The new section (called “Big Seats”) is going into WOW’s A330s on its routes to Reykjavik from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami, probably starting on some aircraft by June 1, according to Conde Nast.

A WOW Air spokesperson told TravelSkills: “The Big seat (pitch is 37″+) is an entirely different seat, bigger with a foot rest and will at first only be in our A330 planes.” WOW Air also said that the seat would be Avianor model 5810, which we cannot find online. However, Zodiac Aerospace makes a seat with a model number 5810, which it says is a premium economy seat (pictured below). Perhaps it will mimic the larger premium economy seats now flying on Norwegian Air’s B787s? We’ll just have to wait until we get more details from Wow Air.

Image of Zodiac Aerospace seat model 5810 (Image: Zodiac)

The section will offer 37-inch pitch (vs. 31 in regular economy), and fares for the premium seats will include carry-on bags, checked bags, in-flight food service and priority boarding – as opposed to its regular economy pricing, which includes nothing but the ride and a single under-the-seat personal item. Other amenities and services all incur extra fees. The airline has not yet indicated what level of premium passengers will pay for the premium seating, which will be sold as “WOW Biz.”

However, the carrier is also said to be planning a new fare category called WOW Plus, which will buy a regular economy seat, a carry-on for the overhead bin, a single checked bag, and cancellation protection.

As the airline continues its U.S. expansion, offering very-low-cost base fares from the U.S. to Iceland and to points in Europe via a Reykjavik connection, it appears to be broadening its marketing to appeal to business travelers as well as backpackers.

Have you flown WOW Air yet? Would you? Please leave your comments below.

ICYMI, see the 25 most recent TravelSkills posts right here

In the market for a new credit card? See our “Credit Card Deals” tab to shop around! It helps us help you.

Don’t miss out! Join the 150,000+ people who read TravelSkills every month! Sign up here for one email-per-day updates!

Dude! How to go surfing in California & Iceland in one day

November 16, 2016

See video below- and find out how much it costs to check a surf board on WOW Air (Image: WOW Air)

After launching flights between California and Iceland earlier this year, WOW air recently teamed up with pro surfer Anastasia Ashley to find out if it’s possible to surf in both Los Angeles and Iceland within 24 hours. The journey began in Malibu where Anastasia set out on a race against the clock to be the first person to surf in both California and Iceland within 24 hours.

Asked about the challenge, Anastasia replied “I’m an avid world traveler, so literally going around the world in one day on a surf adventure, was a challenge that was meant for me!”

WOW air’s camera crew followed Anastasia every step of the way to document the experience and share with the world.

The full video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNUdbI9rh1A

After landing in Iceland, Anastasia faced an adventurous drive through Southern Iceland with dramatic scenery. When arriving at the Icelandic surf spot at Vík í Myrdal, nothing could have prepared her for the extreme weathers conditions and breathtaking Icelandic scenery surrounding her. WOW air’s surfer guide and safety specialist, Bjarki Thorlaksson owner of Adventure Vikings, was there to guide on all safety aspects of the journey. Anastasia didn’t let the extreme contrast between sunny California and arctic Iceland stop her and faced the unforgiving nature head on.

The challenge was completed with 17 minutes to spare, in only 23 hours and 43 minutes. “Being able to surf in LA and Iceland within the 24 hours sounds like a dream day to me. I even got time to hit the Blue Lagoon after!” said Anastasia when looking back on this adventure.

WOW Air is using this cool video to promote it’s $99 fares between SFO and LAX and Iceland. Great fares, but just be sure you know about all or Wow Air’s extra fees before you buy! For example, Anastasia would have paid an extra $200 round trip to check that pink surfboard!

See wowair.com for details.

ICYMI, see the 25 most recent TravelSkills posts right here

In the market for a new credit card? See our “Credit Card Deals” tab to shop around! It helps us help you!

Don’t miss out! Join the 150,000+ people who read TravelSkills every month! Sign up here for one email-per-day updates!

More $99 airfares to Europe this summer, but…

January 12, 2016

Skúli Mogensen, the founder and CEO of WOW Air (Photo: WOW Air)

Skúli Mogensen, the founder and CEO of WOW Air was in California this week promoting new flights (Photo: WOW Air)

$99 one-way fares from California to Europe? Fares are highly restricted, but yep, they are there… and available for a handful of June flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles.

One of the newest low-fare transatlantic carriers to fly to the U.S. is Iceland’s Wow Air. Over the last year it has introduced nonstops between Reykjavik and Boston and Baltimore/Washington at similar bargain basement fares.

WOW Air is an ultra-low-cost carrier that makes its money from ancillary passenger fees– for example, you are only allowed a carry-on bag of up to 11 pounds. If it weighs more than that, you’ll pay a fee of $48 each way. If you want to check a bag you’ll pay a stiff $67 fee each way. To choose a seat ahead of time, you’ll pay between $10 and $48, depending on legroom. See this for the full list of extra fees.

Nonetheless, those $99 one-way fares are hard to resist. But you won’t find a $99 fare on the return leg. To get back, the cheapest one-way fare is $199, making round trips $398.

Flight time between San Francisco or LAX and Reykjavik is nine hours and the carrier will use a wide-body Airbus A330-300 on the route that has 340 seats onboard. Seat pitch ranges from 30 to 34 inches.

The $99 fares will get you to Iceland (one of the world’s hottest destinations right now), but you can stop over in Reykjavik and continue on to other European cities (such as London, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Dublin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Stockholm) for as little as $199 one way.

More about Wow Air here.

With a required change of planes in Iceland, this is not your average business traveler’s airline.

Still, if you are headed to Iceland, have some extra time to get to Europe, or just want to be the first on your block to fly Wow Air, it does have an interesting twist on seating: Although all its aircraft are one-class, you can decide how much legroom you want — paying extra for more, of course.

WOW Air A330 (Image: WOW Air)

The website jaunted.com recently tried out Wow Air’s service, and found that its regular seating on the A321s it flies from the East Coast have a knee crunching 30-inch pitch. But travelers can opt up to “L seats” with 33 inches for an extra $24, or even more to “XL” seats with 35-inch pitch for a $33 premium. The reporter noted that since most of the passengers were apparently budget-focused, her XL seat choice gave her a row all to herself.

Inaugural flights from San Francisco start on on June 9th and in Los Angeles starting on June 15th.

SFO to Iceland nonstops will be available five days a week; from LAX, four days a week with connecting flights on to other European destinations. The $99 deal from SFO is only good on June 10, 17 and 24 and on Saturdays between September 24 and November 19.

From LAX, the $99 deal is only good on June 21 or 28, or on Tuesdays between September 27 and November. The $199 fares for continuing flights to Europe are similarly restricted.

Launched in November 2011, WOW air now connects twenty-seven destinations across the U.S. and Europe with the Icelandic capital.

For more information on flights to Iceland and North America see Wow Air’s website

Would you fly WOW Air to Europe? Why or why not? Please leave your comments below.

WOW Air route map

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United packages Economy Plus with amenities + Ride-sharing firm goes out of business + Bucket list for air travelers + Useless travel gadgets + ‘Uber of the Skies’ dies

Do you follow us on Twitter? It’s a great way to keep up with the latest news!

Please join the 100,000+ people who read TravelSkills every month! Sign up here for one email-per-day updates!

Resolved to get your finances in order this year? Let Personal Capital, a free investment monitoring service, show you how:

Delta bumps up summer seats to Europe

April 30, 2015

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s new 50,000 mile bonus + Easy 1,000 AAdvantage miles + The most outrageous luxury suites in the sky +Virgin’s new LAX Clubhouse!

Delta’s summer schedule includes more flights to Rome and other European cities. (Image: Jim Glab)

Delta has unveiled plans for a seasonal summer expansion of its routes to Europe.

This additional capacity should make it somewhat easier to find award seats across the pond…right? At least we can hope so. How’s your luck been so far?

Among the additions:

To Italy, Delta will resume daily Detroit-Rome service on May 2 with a 767-400, and will add a second Atlanta-Rome flight May 23, operating up to six times a week with a 767-300. (Delta also flies to Rome from New York JFK.) June 2 is the relaunch date for daily summer flights from Atlanta to Venice, using a 767-300; and starting June 16, Delta will lay on six 757-200 flights a week between New York JFK and Pisa, Italy. The carrier will supplement its current JFK-Milan service starting June 17 with a daily 767-300 flight from Atlanta to Milan.

Daily service from Delta’s Salt Lake City hub to Amsterdam is slated to begin May 2, with a 210-seat 767-300, operated with joint venture partner KLM.

New: United’s sweet 50,000-mile bonus is back

Effective May 2, Delta will resume daily New York JFK-Shannon, Ireland service using a 757-200.

May 2 is also the starting date for daily service from JFK to Reykjavik, Iceland, with a 234-seat 757-300; now in its fifth year, the Iceland service will continue through September. (A new option for Iceland trips is that country’s ultra-low-cost carrier Wow Air, with Boston-Reykjavik fares starting at $99.)

Wow Air’s $99 cheap seats to Europe. Would you?

April 29, 2015

Wow Air flies A321s like this one from Iceland to Boston and soon to Baltimore/Washington. (Image: Wow Air)

$99 one-way fares from the U.S. to Europe? Fares are highly restricted, but yep, they are there…

One of the newest low-fare transatlantic carriers to fly to the U.S. is Iceland’s Wow Air. It currently operates Boston-Reykjavik nonstops and will begin Baltimore/Washington flights May 8. It also offers onward service from Reykjavik to several cities in Europe. More about Wow Air here.

As an ultra-low-cost carrier that makes its money from ancillary passenger fees (you get a carry-on of up to 11 pounds; everything else is extra), it has been promoting one-way, Boston-to-Reykjavik flights for $99 including taxes.

But with a required change of planes in Iceland, this is not your average business traveler’s airline.

Still, if you are headed to Iceland, have some extra time to get to Europe, or just want to be the first on your block to fly Wow Air, it does have an interesting twist on seating: Although its A321 aircraft are one-class, you can decide how much legroom you want — paying extra for more, of course.

Flight time between Boston and Reykjavik is 5-6 hours; from Baltimore, it’s 6-7 hours.

The website jaunted.com recently tried out Wow Air’s service, and found that its regular seating has a knee crunching 30-inch pitch. But travelers can opt up to “L seats” with 33 inches for an extra $24, or even more to “XL” seats with 35-inch pitch for a $33 premium. The reporter noted that since most of the passengers were apparently budget-focused, her XL seat choice gave her a row all to herself.

Would you fly an airline like Wow Air to Europe? Why or why not? Please leave your comments below.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Nationwide summer fare sale + Outrageous luxury suites in the sky +Virgin’s new LAX Clubhouse!