and they keep coming -

have a little salmon with your crab.

from Icelandair:

Icelandair Puts Baltimore Back on the Map



Reykjavik, Iceland, January 10, 2018– Today, Icelandair announces the return of their international flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Iceland and beyond. Flight 642 will begin seasonal service on May 28, 2018 with four non-stop flights a week to Iceland on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and easy connections to and from more than 25 destinations in Europe.



It has been over a decade since Icelandair ceased operations in BWI, but there has always been a strong demand and support for the airline to once again return to Charm City.



“The time is right for Icelandair to return to BWI. Icelandair has been in operation for over 80 years, and Baltimore has played an important role in that history. Today our network is bigger and stronger than ever, and we offer our passengers more flights, more connections, and a refreshing alternative to Iceland and beyond. We look forward to welcoming Baltimore aboard again”, said Icelandair CEO Bjorgolfur Johannsson.



BWI service will be in addition to Icelandair’s ongoing flights from Washington-Dulles, and will increase the options when flying Internationally to and from the Baltimore-Washington corridor. With a short commute from both Baltimore and Washington, DC, BWI also offers many flight connections throughout the US with Icelandair’s partner airlines, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines.



Maryland was founded in 1632, and is one of the original 13 colonies of the United States. With a rich and full colonial history, Baltimore is also home to the oldest railroad in the United States, and was the birthplace to many modern legends such as Babe Ruth, Frank Zappa, Billie Holiday, Barry Levinson and John Waters. It also serves as the final resting place of Edgar Allan Poe. Baltimore is known for its quirky and diverse neighborhoods, and its vibrant and active art community. Be sure to visit one of the many unique and family friendly museums throughout the city, including the Visionary Art Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art, and the Walters Art Gallery.



The famous Baltimore Harbor has shopping, restaurants and hotels, along with Power Plant Live, offering a variety of pubs and clubs for eclectic and easily accessible nightlife. The harbor also houses the National Aquarium, and two important US Navy vessels. Be sure to have to an authentic Italian meal in Little Italy and visit Ft McHenry, where the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner did, in fact, wave.



After exploring Baltimore, travelers can easily commute to the nation’s capital, Washington DC. Which is only 30 miles away, via car, or train. And if vacationers are looking to explore outside of the city they can visit the many beaches, bays and islands that surround Maryland.



“Icelandair is providing our travelers with more options to fly across the Atlantic,” said BWI Marshall Airport Executive Director, Ricky Smith. “Icelandair offers excellent customer service and a wide international range. We are pleased that the airline recognizes the potential for growth and success here at BWI Marshall Airport.”



Iceland has become one of the hottest destinations in Europe. Only 5 hours from BWI, Iceland is a natural wonderland filled with geysers, glaciers and waterfalls, clean air, pure water and natural hot springs. Or if Iceland is not your final destination, be sure to take advantage of an Icelandair Stopover for up to seven nights at no additional airfare.

They had a codeshare with WN out of BWI before

Good to see one of my most flown routes in the log added back to the system, after more than 10 years! According to my flight log statistics, I flew FI642/643 in either direction a total of 42 times between 1998 and 2007, connecting to either FL or WN to TPA or SRQ. Happy to see that the option is back on the table.

regards!
Sveinn

dcaviation wrote:

So KEF - twice daily to IAD and 4x weekly to BWI. Plus WoW daily to BWI.
That's overkill. I think WoW and Icelandair are in the piss fight.

Enrila's OAG thread showed Icelandair going 3x daily to IAD in summer 2018...

So KEF - twice daily to IAD and 4x weekly to BWI. Plus WoW daily to BWI.
That's overkill. I think WoW and Icelandair are in the piss fight.

757? or MAX?

Also, where are these aircraft coming from? I guess if they are adding MAX and not retiring 757s it is possible.

Great for BWI. Still waiting for another major European carrier to start there though...

Looks to be flown with the 757. Icelandair definitely doesn't joke around in the summer when it comes to fleet utilization.

When is FI scheduled to receive their first max?

loisencroach wrote:

They had a codeshare with WN out of BWI before

The opportunities WN has to feed FI at multiple gateways is staggering, but WN pilots will never allow it. SAD really.

loisencroach wrote:

They had a codeshare with WN out of BWI before

It was far removed from a codeshare arrangement. It was basically just a quasi-interline agreement between the two. Similar, I believe, as the agreement between WN and Volaris a few years ago. IIRC.

Heck, I didn't even realize that FI had abandonded BWI . NIce to see the nominal return.

dcaviation wrote:

So KEF - twice daily to IAD and 4x weekly to BWI. Plus WoW daily to BWI.
That's overkill. I think WoW and Icelandair are in the piss fight.

WW is going 11x weekly to BWI for the summer.

It's amazing how much service in/out of KEF has happened over the last couple years.

jnev3289 wrote:

Great for BWI. Still waiting for another major European carrier to start there though...

I would plan on Aer Lingus.

Congratulations BWI and Icelandair. Interesting destination.

Icelandair is one of the most fascinating airlines in my opinion. From their fleet utilization to their business model of inbound and outbound banks across the Atlantic. If there is one airline in the world the "MoM" would be suited for, it's Icelandair. As long as it can carry fish, that is.

I would have expected this to be a MAX route instead of a 757

PHL, CLE, MSP, YUL, and YHZ are the announced MAX routes (so far)

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... f-10nov17/

This is GREAT news

BWI is my home airport....I love Iceland but not a fan of the WOW business model or trek to IAD

FI643 KEF1705-1925BWI 752 x1256
FI642 BWI2035-0620KEF +1 752 x1256

according to the booking on Icelandair.com

BWIAirport wrote:

FI643 KEF1705-1925BWI 752 x1256
FI642 BWI2035-0620KEF +1 752 x1256

according to the booking on Icelandair.com

70 minute ground time. Interesting

stlgph wrote:

Looks to be flown with the 757. Icelandair definitely doesn't joke around in the summer when it comes to fleet utilization.

And yet in some airports, they will have their planes sitting for 20 or so hours.

NickolayAv wrote:

stlgph wrote:

Looks to be flown with the 757. Icelandair definitely doesn't joke around in the summer when it comes to fleet utilization.

And yet in some airports, they will have their planes sitting for 20 or so hours.

For the 3,000+ time again, in all 9 days of this year alone, the idle time at the airports allows them to complete needed maintenance checks, and what have you, so the airline can function at such a schedule.

klm617 wrote:

jnev3289 wrote:

Great for BWI. Still waiting for another major European carrier to start there though...

I would plan on Aer Lingus.

And then all we would need is for Ghana Airways to be resurrected with a BWI-ACC service and it will be like 2001 again!

lawair wrote:

klm617 wrote:

jnev3289 wrote:

Great for BWI. Still waiting for another major European carrier to start there though...

I would plan on Aer Lingus.

And then all we would need is for Ghana Airways to be resurrected with a BWI-ACC service and it will be like 2001 again!

LOL you're still missing KLM

If KEF got a pre-clearance facility, DCA would suddenly become a possibility. I wonder if Congress would be willing to grant an exception slot if it came to it. SY is about to give up their slot, but it's just a regular one.

Waiting for Icelandair or WoW Air to add RDU...

WWads wrote:

If KEF got a pre-clearance facility, DCA would suddenly become a possibility. I wonder if Congress would be willing to grant an exception slot if it came to it. SY is about to give up their slot, but it's just a regular one.

Until there's a Member of Congress representing Reykjavik I strongly doubt it.

Overall 29 weekly flights between WAS and KEF. What is interesting is that all of the FI flights arrive and depart around the same time.

WW117 KEF1520 - 1750BWI 321 D
FI645 KEF1650 - 1910IAD 75T D
FI643 KEF1705 - 1925BWI 75W x346
FI649 KEF1705 - 1925IAD 75W D
WW115 KEF2110 - 2345BWI 321 x247


WW116 BWI0045 - 1050KEF 321 x135
WW118 BWI1850 - 0500+1KEF 321 D
FI642 BWI2035 - 0620+1KEF 75W x346
FI644 IAD2035 - 0620+1KEF 75T D
FI646 IAD2040 - 0625+1KEF 75W D

Based off previous forums regarding international growth at BWI, the consensus at a.net seems to be that we were waiting for another carrier to announce service to BWI, which could open the floodgates for more carriers, including European and Asian, to serve BWI. I could see AF, EI, LH, DY, or even HU testing the waters with 4x weekly seasonal service on an A330/787 in the very near future.

Can anyone explain how Icelandair keeps hopping from airport to airport in the area. This is what the third time FI has come and gone from BWI in the past 15 years? They seem like every other year they flip flop between IAD and BWI. I know for a few years, we did not even have service in the WAS area. Sorry, haven't fully read up yet (dinner time), is IAD losing their flights to/from IAD this time?

dcaviation wrote:

So KEF - twice daily to IAD and 4x weekly to BWI. Plus WoW daily to BWI.
That's overkill. I think WoW and Icelandair are in the piss fight.

Didn't WoW just add additional service to BWI recently? So, it seems that there is demand for iLCC service out of BWI to destinations east beyond KEF.

Blimpie wrote:

Can anyone explain how Icelandair keeps hopping from airport to airport in the area. This is what the third time FI has come and gone from BWI in the past 15 years? They seem like every other year they flip flop between IAD and BWI. I know for a few years, we did not even have service in the WAS area. Sorry, haven't fully read up yet (dinner time), is IAD losing their flights to/from IAD this time?

No, Icelandair are simply adding BWI to their summer schedule without tampering with IAD

pallvidar wrote:

Blimpie wrote:

Can anyone explain how Icelandair keeps hopping from airport to airport in the area. This is what the third time FI has come and gone from BWI in the past 15 years? They seem like every other year they flip flop between IAD and BWI. I know for a few years, we did not even have service in the WAS area. Sorry, haven't fully read up yet (dinner time), is IAD losing their flights to/from IAD this time?

No, Icelandair are simply adding BWI to their summer schedule without tampering with IAD

That's pretty impressive if they can support both IAD and BWI. As stated above, it was only a couple years ago when they pulled out of IAD, and the nearest airport was JFK. I use to fly Icelandair a lot back in the 2000-2005 time frame out of BWI.

That's pretty impressive if they can support both IAD and BWI. As stated above, it was only a couple years ago when they pulled out of IAD, and the nearest airport was JFK. I use to fly Icelandair a lot back in the 2000-2005 time frame out of BWI.

Earlier in the thread somebody mentioned FI going 3x daily flights to IAD and 4x weekly flights to BWI which is really impressive if the demand is supporting it

pallvidar wrote:

That's pretty impressive if they can support both IAD and BWI. As stated above, it was only a couple years ago when they pulled out of IAD, and the nearest airport was JFK. I use to fly Icelandair a lot back in the 2000-2005 time frame out of BWI.

Earlier in the thread somebody mentioned FI going 3x daily flights to IAD and 4x weekly flights to BWI which is really impressive if the demand is supporting it

It's only maintaining the current 2x daily to IAD and one is being downsized from a B767 to a B757. In reality, this isn't that much more capacity into the area.

Blimpie wrote:

pallvidar wrote:

Blimpie wrote:

Can anyone explain how Icelandair keeps hopping from airport to airport in the area. This is what the third time FI has come and gone from BWI in the past 15 years? They seem like every other year they flip flop between IAD and BWI. I know for a few years, we did not even have service in the WAS area. Sorry, haven't fully read up yet (dinner time), is IAD losing their flights to/from IAD this time?

No, Icelandair are simply adding BWI to their summer schedule without tampering with IAD

That's pretty impressive if they can support both IAD and BWI. As stated above, it was only a couple years ago when they pulled out of IAD, and the nearest airport was JFK. I use to fly Icelandair a lot back in the 2000-2005 time frame out of BWI.

Actually, FI pulled out of BWI in the summer of 2008 after many years of service. They then added IAD in 2011 and have kept it since, gradually increasing service from 4x weekly summer seasonal into a year round, daily flight (often operated by the 767 or 753 now) and 2-3 daily flights in summer. Since they added IAD, service has never stopped except for the seasonal stoppage in 2011-12 (winter after that it was already year-round).

Regards!
Sveinn

eaa3 wrote:

pallvidar wrote:

That's pretty impressive if they can support both IAD and BWI. As stated above, it was only a couple years ago when they pulled out of IAD, and the nearest airport was JFK. I use to fly Icelandair a lot back in the 2000-2005 time frame out of BWI.

Earlier in the thread somebody mentioned FI going 3x daily flights to IAD and 4x weekly flights to BWI which is really impressive if the demand is supporting it

It's only maintaining the current 2x daily to IAD and one is being downsized from a B767 to a B757. In reality, this isn't that much more capacity into the area.

Reason could be freeing up a 767 for a new longer route?

SRQKEF wrote:

eaa3 wrote:

pallvidar wrote:

Earlier in the thread somebody mentioned FI going 3x daily flights to IAD and 4x weekly flights to BWI which is really impressive if the demand is supporting it

It's only maintaining the current 2x daily to IAD and one is being downsized from a B767 to a B757. In reality, this isn't that much more capacity into the area.

Reason could be freeing up a 767 for a new longer route?

There is a rumour that FI will announce another which needs a 767 range.

IceAir778 wrote:

SRQKEF wrote:

eaa3 wrote:

It's only maintaining the current 2x daily to IAD and one is being downsized from a B767 to a B757. In reality, this isn't that much more capacity into the area.

Reason could be freeing up a 767 for a new longer route?

There is a rumour that FI will announce another which needs a 767 range.

Honolulu?

eaa3 wrote:

pallvidar wrote:

That's pretty impressive if they can support both IAD and BWI. As stated above, it was only a couple years ago when they pulled out of IAD, and the nearest airport was JFK. I use to fly Icelandair a lot back in the 2000-2005 time frame out of BWI.

Earlier in the thread somebody mentioned FI going 3x daily flights to IAD and 4x weekly flights to BWI which is really impressive if the demand is supporting it

It's only maintaining the current 2x daily to IAD and one is being downsized from a B767 to a B757. In reality, this isn't that much more capacity into the area.

The aircraft type is mostly a place holder at FI, the frame that will be most common on that flight. They will swap out according to the booking situation. So if a 757-200 is planed, it can be a 757-300 if it is inside her range. Or you can get a 767 or doubled up 757-200 with 15 minutes in between to the not slot constrained airports.

IceAir778 wrote:

SRQKEF wrote:

eaa3 wrote:

It's only maintaining the current 2x daily to IAD and one is being downsized from a B767 to a B757. In reality, this isn't that much more capacity into the area.

Reason could be freeing up a 767 for a new longer route?

There is a rumour that FI will announce another which needs a 767 range.

Up to now the 767 has been used mainly on the slot constrained airports for capacity, rather than for longer distance flights.

hvusslax wrote:

IceAir778 wrote:

SRQKEF wrote:

Reason could be freeing up a 767 for a new longer route?

There is a rumour that FI will announce another which needs a 767 range.

Honolulu?

I have heard LAX, SAN or SFO.

mjoelnir wrote:

IceAir778 wrote:

SRQKEF wrote:

Reason could be freeing up a 767 for a new longer route?

There is a rumour that FI will announce another which needs a 767 range.

Up to now the 767 has been used mainly on the slot constrained airports for capacity, rather than for longer distance flights.

When you are freeing up a 767 by flying to a new airport very close to an airport where 767 has been operating to (IAD and BWI) then that is something. 767 flew daily to IAD as FI645 in S17.

The summer schedule for IAD is:
FI645 KEF1650 - 1910IAD 75T D
FI643 KEF1705 - 1925BWI 75W x346
FI649 KEF1705 - 1925IAD 75W D

From this IAD is NOT a constrained airport like LHR - there is a lot of slots available.
Whereas "75T" is 757-300 and FI649 is an extra flight operated by 75W, then they are adding more seats as well as the FI649 flight which is, I thing, is instead of FI647.
By adding another destination, BWI, close to the airport, which they already flies to, they are improving their service for their passengers.
Somewhere this aircraft needs to go. So where?

My sources have said that indeed there is another new route on the way which is outside of the range of the 757. Won't say more for now.

lavalampluva wrote:

It's amazing how much service in/out of KEF has happened over the last couple years.

Is there a consensus one way or the other on whether KEF can handle all of this? I’m talking not about handling the planes, but rather the indoor infrastructure such as check-in, security, gates and seating areas, and restaurants. Will all this new service outpace the airport’s ability to handle it?

I tend to see the current situation in Iceland as the current ‘it’ destination, which may well cool off sooner or later.

We will see how long WW in particular lasts, or whether there are moves to merge the 2 carriers at some point when times aren’t as good.

KEF has an advantageous location as a transfer hub, but needs a significant expansion to handle this traffic if it wants to be seen as an option for travelers in the future. At its current rate, people will be put off trying it again, especially with a growing list of non-stop options to European destinations.

IceAir778 wrote:

Up to now the 767 has been used mainly on the slot constrained airports for capacity, rather than for longer distance flights.

When you are freeing up a 767 by flying to a new airport very close to an airport where 767 has been operating to (IAD and BWI) then that is something. 767 flew daily to IAD as FI645 in S17.

The summer schedule for IAD is:
FI645 KEF1650 - 1910IAD 75T D
FI643 KEF1705 - 1925BWI 75W x346
FI649 KEF1705 - 1925IAD 75W D

From this IAD is NOT a constrained airport like LHR - there is a lot of slots available.
Whereas "75T" is 757-300 and FI649 is an extra flight operated by 75W, then they are adding more seats as well as the FI649 flight which is, I thing, is instead of FI647.
By adding another destination, BWI, close to the airport, which they already flies to, they are improving their service for their passengers.
Somewhere this aircraft needs to go. So where?[/quote]

Icelandair was never daily at IAD. It was 4-5 times a week max, on the second evening flight.
Also, Icelandair never served BWI with 767.

chrisnh wrote:

lavalampluva wrote:

It's amazing how much service in/out of KEF has happened over the last couple years.

Is there a consensus one way or the other on whether KEF can handle all of this? I’m talking not about handling the planes, but rather the indoor infrastructure such as check-in, security, gates and seating areas, and restaurants. Will all this new service outpace the airport’s ability to handle it?

There has been significant investment in expanding commercial areas and choke points like passport control and security in the last few years. Staffing may become the contraining factor rather than the facilities. There is no denying though that space is tight. KEF needs more breathing room, more seating and more jetbridges (and less remote stands).

I wonder if this will convince Norwegian to start flying to Europe from BWI?

dcaviation wrote:

IceAir778 wrote:

Up to now the 767 has been used mainly on the slot constrained airports for capacity, rather than for longer distance flights.

When you are freeing up a 767 by flying to a new airport very close to an airport where 767 has been operating to (IAD and BWI) then that is something. 767 flew daily to IAD as FI645 in S17.

The summer schedule for IAD is:
FI645 KEF1650 - 1910IAD 75T D
FI643 KEF1705 - 1925BWI 75W x346
FI649 KEF1705 - 1925IAD 75W D

From this IAD is NOT a constrained airport like LHR - there is a lot of slots available.
Whereas "75T" is 757-300 and FI649 is an extra flight operated by 75W, then they are adding more seats as well as the FI649 flight which is, I thing, is instead of FI647.
By adding another destination, BWI, close to the airport, which they already flies to, they are improving their service for their passengers.

Somewhere this aircraft needs to go. So where?

Icelandair was never daily at IAD. It was 4-5 times a week max, on the second evening flight.
Also, Icelandair never served BWI with 767.[/quote]

Yes indeed! FI flew to IAD on a 767 in S17. FI started service to IAD in 2011 (if I remember correctly) 3-4 times per week soon it started a daily service there on a B75W. Just google it!
FI served BWI for ten years on B752.

dcaviation wrote:

IceAir778 wrote:

Up to now the 767 has been used mainly on the slot constrained airports for capacity, rather than for longer distance flights.

When you are freeing up a 767 by flying to a new airport very close to an airport where 767 has been operating to (IAD and BWI) then that is something. 767 flew daily to IAD as FI645 in S17.

The summer schedule for IAD is:
FI645 KEF1650 - 1910IAD 75T D
FI643 KEF1705 - 1925BWI 75W x346
FI649 KEF1705 - 1925IAD 75W D

From this IAD is NOT a constrained airport like LHR - there is a lot of slots available.
Whereas "75T" is 757-300 and FI649 is an extra flight operated by 75W, then they are adding more seats as well as the FI649 flight which is, I thing, is instead of FI647.
By adding another destination, BWI, close to the airport, which they already flies to, they are improving their service for their passengers.
Somewhere this aircraft needs to go. So where?

Icelandair was never daily at IAD. It was 4-5 times a week max, on the second evening flight.
Also, Icelandair never served BWI with 767.

I did not talk about slot constrained airports ONLY, I said mainly.
Otherwise the 767 is used when booking numbers warrant it.
I point to the fact, that FI uses the 767 and 757-300 to temporarily up gauge flights.
So if we see a lot of bookings BWI or IAD could see the 757-300 or the 767 or doubled 757-200.

Example for slot constrained in the US is JFK in Europe LHR and AMS. The 767 is used regularly on those flights.
Places in Europe seeing a 767 or the 757-300 when booking is high, CPH, OSL, ARN, HEL, GVA, FRA and MUC otherwise it is the 757-200.
In North America several airports do see the 767 once in a while, like SEA, YYZ and ORD for example, but I do not follow that closely.

Of course BWI never saw the 767 from Icelandair. FI stopped flying there before they started to use the current 767 in the fleet. Before that FI used one or two 767 to test the waters on the USA west coast and Japan.

I certainly wish this was an option on my October trip from IAD. Getting to IAD by 6:30 for an 8:30pm flight is just murder when coming from the I-95 corridor of MD. This will be a good option for those on the MD side of the DMV area.

I think the 763 was daily to IAD during F17 as well. How is KEF going to handle all these new routes? While the flight experience itself was fine (except the for the hard seat cushions), the experience in KEF will make me want to bypass that transfer point in the future. There was some construction going on so there is some hope for the future. Then again, if getting to Europe cheaply is the main objective, overlooking KEF's chaos may be easier.