The Quick Answer
The Icelandair stopover program lets you add up to seven nights in Iceland to a transatlantic ticket between North America and Europe, with no additional airfare. In 2026, the Icelandair stopover program still works the same way: you book it on one itinerary, and you pay only for the hotel, meals, and activities once you land.
In fact, it is one of the simplest ways to see two countries on one trip, and it works in Icelandair’s business class cabin, Saga Premium. Below, we explain who qualifies, how to book, and what the trip really costs. We also show where the Icelandair stopover program is a better fit than the alternatives.
How the Icelandair Stopover Program Works
Icelandair connects North America and Europe through its hub at Keflavík Airport (KEF), about 50 km from Reykjavík. Normally, you change planes there in an hour or two. With the Icelandair stopover program, however, you leave the airport, spend the nights you choose in Iceland, and then take your onward flight on the same ticket.
Icelandair’s own wording is that the stopover “only includes the flights,” so accommodation is up to you. On the booking screen, the stop appears as one long layover, so the schedule is easy to read.
Who Qualifies for the Icelandair Stopover Program?
The Icelandair stopover program applies to Icelandair itineraries between North America and Europe that connect through Keflavík. However, how long you can stay depends on the fare you buy:
| Fare | Longest stopover | How to book it |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Light | 3 nights | Online |
| Economy (standard) | 7 nights | Online |
| Saga Premium (business class) | 7 nights | Online |
| Economy Flex and Saga Premium Flex | Up to 21 nights | 1 to 7 nights online; 8 to 21 nights through Icelandair’s service center |
Round trip or one way. Both are possible, and you can add a stopover in either direction, or both. Round trips usually give the best value.
Cash or points. Stopovers are built around paid tickets. Whether a points ticket can carry one depends on how it is booked. Some conditions apply, so do not assume it works until it is confirmed on your exact booking.
Fare rules. For example, some discounted fares restrict or exclude the stopover, and the allowed nights vary by fare, as shown above. So check this before you buy, not after.
How to Book the Icelandair Stopover Program
- First, go to Icelandair’s website and choose “Stopover in Iceland” as the trip type before you search.
- Next, enter your departure city, final European destination, and dates, then choose how many nights you want in Iceland and which direction you want to fly.
- Then review the results. The stop shows as one long layover, so you can see the full journey at a glance.
- Choose your fare and check how many stopover nights it allows. This matters because Economy Light, Standard, and Flex fares differ.
- Finally, complete the booking, including baggage and seat choices, then book your Iceland hotel separately.
Longer than seven nights, or adding a stopover later. However, stays of 8 to 21 nights on Flex fares, and stopovers added to an existing booking, are arranged through Icelandair’s service center rather than online.
What the Icelandair Stopover Program Really Costs
The stopover adds no airfare. However, everything else is yours to budget:
- Hotel nights in Reykjavík or elsewhere
- Meals
- The transfer from Keflavík, which is a drive of about 50 km into the city
- A rental car or a driver, if you want to see more than the capital
- Activities such as the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle tours, or a Northern Lights excursion
One honest note on airfare: the fare for an itinerary with a stopover can differ slightly from the same trip without one, because your flights fall on different days. We have not quoted nightly hotel or tour prices here, because they swing widely with the season. Instead, your Personal travel advisor can give you a realistic range for your dates.
Sample Itineraries: 2 Days and 3 Days in Iceland
These are relaxed outlines, not timetables. For the best experience, book tours and the Blue Lagoon ahead, and leave room to rest after a transatlantic flight.
A 2-day stopover
- Day 1: After you arrive at Keflavík, settle into your Reykjavík hotel and take an easy walk through the old town and harbor. Then keep the evening free.
- Day 2: Take a Golden Circle day tour (Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir area and Gullfoss waterfall). Finally, finish at the Blue Lagoon, which sits close to the airport, before your onward flight.
A 3-day stopover
- Days 1 and 2: As above, but with the Blue Lagoon moved to the last day.
- Day 2 or 3: Add a South Coast day to see Reynisfjara black sand beach and Skógafoss waterfall, or the Snæfellsnes Peninsula for a quieter landscape. Either way, a guided day tour spares you the driving.
- Last morning: Choose between the Blue Lagoon and the newer Sky Lagoon, then head to the airport.
A winter variant
From autumn to early spring, swap one daytime sight for an evening northern lights excursion. Days are short and the weather changes quickly, so allow a spare night if you can. However, the lights depend on clear skies and cannot be guaranteed. For that reason, prefer a guided tour to winter self-driving.
Icelandair Stopover Program in Saga Premium (Business Class)
Saga Premium tickets qualify for the stopover, with up to seven nights on the standard fare and up to 21 on Saga Premium Flex. It is a comfortable way to cross. However, a few trade-offs are worth knowing before you book.
The seat. Saga Premium is a wide recliner, not a lie-flat bed. Pitch runs from about 40 inches to 42 to 43 on the newest aircraft, which also has leg rests. Reviewers compare it to a US domestic first class seat with business-class service. For that reason, it suits the shorter daytime crossings very well. If sleeping flat matters most to you, tell your Personal Travel Manager so they can compare other airlines for your route.
The lounge. Departing from Keflavík, Saga Premium passengers have access to the Saga Lounge. Since April 2025, the standard Saga Premium fare covers that lounge only, while the Flex fare adds lounges at other airports where available.
What is included. Baggage and seat selection terms for Saga Premium have changed recently, so check your fare inclusions when you book.
How it compares. The value of the Icelandair stopover program is the airfare: the extra stop costs nothing, and you choose the hotel. By contrast, Turkish Airlines works the other way, with a complimentary hotel for eligible passengers. We cover that in our Turkish Airlines stopover guide and in the best business class stopover programs.
Icelandair Stopover Program vs. Other Airline Stopover Programs
The biggest difference is the hotel. Icelandair gives you the extra stop. In contrast, the Gulf and Turkish programs below add a hotel for eligible passengers, but on different routes and with tighter conditions. Terms vary by departure country, cabin, and fare, so confirm yours before you plan around any of them.
| Program | Stopover city | What you get | Hotel | Typical limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Icelandair | Reykjavík | An extra stop at no additional airfare, North America to Europe | Not included | Up to 7 nights (21 on Flex fares) |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | Complimentary hotel for eligible passengers | Included | Qualifying layover of about 20 hours to 7 days; business class typically 2 to 3 nights |
| Qatar Airways | Doha | Transit hotel and stopover offers, free or discounted depending on ticket | Free or discounted | Varies by ticket and layover |
| Emirates | Dubai | Dubai Connect: hotel, meals and transfers on eligible long connections | Included when eligible | Business class from about 6 hours, up to about 26 |
| Etihad | Abu Dhabi | Complimentary hotel nights on eligible stopovers | Included, a small fee or tax may apply | At least 24 hours; up to 2 nights |
For more detail, see our Turkish Airlines stopover guide and our overview of the best business class stopover programs.
Is the Icelandair Stopover Program Worth It?
For most travelers heading to Europe, yes. You get a second destination without paying for a second flight, and the whole trip stays on one itinerary.
What works in its favor
- No additional airfare for the stop
- Up to a week in Iceland, or longer on Flex fares
- Available in Saga Premium as well as economy
- A short, easy connection through one compact airport
What to weigh
- The hotel is not included, and Iceland can cost more than many visitors expect
- Saga Premium is a recliner, not a lie-flat bed
- Winter brings short days and changeable weather
- Cheaper fares limit the nights you can stay, and some exclude the stopover
Overall, if you want a restful, scenic break on a business class trip and you are comfortable paying for your own hotel, it is hard to beat for the price.
Icelandair Stopover FAQ
How long can I stay?
The Icelandair stopover program allows up to 7 nights on most fares, but only up to 3 nights on Economy Light. Economy Flex and Saga Premium Flex fares allow up to 21 nights, with stays of 8 to 21 nights arranged through Icelandair’s service center.
Is the Icelandair stopover really free?
The extra stop adds no airfare. However, your hotel, meals, transfers, and activities are not included, and the fare for a stopover itinerary can differ slightly from the same trip without one.
Can I use it on award tickets?
Do not assume so. That is because the stopover is designed for paid tickets, and reports on points bookings conflict. Confirm on your exact booking before you rely on it.
Do I need a visa?
Iceland is part of the Schengen Area. US citizens do not need a visa for short tourist stays, and Canadian passport holders are generally visa-free too, but rules vary by nationality, so confirm that your passport qualifies. The EU’s ETIAS travel authorization is not yet operating and, as of late October 2026, has no announced start date. Meanwhile, biometric entry checks are already in place at Schengen borders.
What is the best time of year?
Summer offers long daylight and the widest choice of tours. In contrast, autumn through early spring is the northern lights season, with short days and changeable weather. So choose the season that best matches what you want to see.
Plan your Iceland Stopover with Skylux
The Icelandair stopover program is easier when someone builds it with you. Your Skylux Travel personal travel advisor will talk through your dates and how much time you want in Iceland. They will check that the fare you are considering allows the stopover, and email you tailored Icelandair Saga Premium options, or other airlines if lie-flat comfort matters more.
Afterward, you can review everything at your own pace, with no pressure. Request a quote online or call 888-999-5524 toll-free and book your flights via Iceland today.
