Icelandair

...to Reykjavik (reviews to follow), Icelandair was the natural choice of airlines. A choice based on the airline's catchphrase from their advert "Icelandair connects Iceland to Europe".

We flew from Manchester to Keflavik Airport where there are twice weekly flights. Other UK airports serviced by Icelandair are London Heathrow (daily flights) and Glasgow (also twice weekly). Icelandair flies from the UK not only to Iceland ...
...Divide~~

Icelandair has two classes for travel Economy Class and Saga Class (Business Class). Icelandair goes to great lengths to promote Saga Class emphasizing how much more comfort and style there would be in traveling Saga. So much so it almost feels as if they are rubbing the benefits in the noses of those using Economy Class (including us!!).

Travelling Saga Class entitles you to fast-track checking in with dedicated ... more

For our planned holiday to Reykjavik (reviews to follow), Icelandair was the natural choice of airlines. A choice based on the airline's catchphrase from their advert "Icelandair connects Iceland to Europe".

We flew from Manchester to Keflavik Airport where there are twice weekly flights. Other UK airports serviced by Icelandair are London Heathrow (daily flights) and Glasgow (also twice weekly). Icelandair flies from the UK not only to Iceland but also onwards to New York, Boston, Washington, Orlando, Minneapolis, Halifax and Toronto.

The service in general was smooth and quick. Check-in and disembarkment proceded problem-free. The flight kept closely to its schedule. But . . .

The "frosty service" forming the title of my review is perhaps a little too strong - but the service was certainly ambivalent teetering on the edge of frostiness on more than one occasion . . .

~~~Class Divide~~

Icelandair has two classes for travel Economy Class and Saga Class (Business Class). Icelandair goes to great lengths to promote Saga Class emphasizing how much more comfort and style there would be in traveling Saga. So much so it almost feels as if they are rubbing the benefits in the noses of those using Economy Class (including us!!).

Travelling Saga Class entitles you to fast-track checking in with dedicated check-in desks "to specifically handle the needs of all our Saga Class passengers"; to have extra baggage allowance; to relax in the Icelandair Saga Class lounge where you are served complimentary food and beverages; have a free hands and foot massage at the Blue Lagoon therapy centre in Keflavik Airport; to pre-board flights and be the first to disembark; seats on board are wider (22") and have leg rests; Saga Class in-flight food is "not-your-typical-airline-food" menu.

The review that follows is based on our experience of Economy Class

~~Booking~~

There are several ways to book a flight on Icelandair.

You can book via the internet on www.icelanair.co.uk . The booking precess is very clear and easy to use - just follow the instructions and fill in the appropriate boxes. You can book flight-only or short breaks as desired.

Or of course you can still book through any travel agency.

~~Check-in~~

Passengers travelling on Icelandair from London Heathrow are advised to check in three hours prior to departure. Passengers from Manchester and Glasgow should check in two hours prior to departure.

Check-in is pretty universal. Airline staff man designated check-in desks, check your tickets / passports and ask the standard questions -"Did you pack the case yourself?" and "Has anyone requested that you carry anything for them?".

The case is weighed and labelled before being taken off for storage. You are allowed to take an ample 20kg free of charge; anything more is subject to an excess baggage charge.

You are then issued with a boarding pass with a pre-assigned seat.

All of this was enacted out somewhat distantly by Icelandair staff - no conversation or pleasantries. Undersatndably due to the massive slow-moving queue - worse than Alton Towers!!

~~The Plane~~

Icelanair utilises Boeing 757. Seating for rows 1 - 6 are for Saga Class and are in a 2 x 2 arrangements. Rows 7 - 32 are Economy Class and are in a 3 x 3 arrangement. Given that there are two extra seats in each row of the Economy Class, the seats are narrower - by 4 inches!! The seats are therefore rather snug with limited elbow and leg room!!

Toilets are situated toward the front and rear of the plane. Again these are a snug fit.

On a board above and to the front, there are individual reading lights and air vents. Also in the ceiling of the plane are little digi-viewers that pop down for a pre-recorded welcome video. An Air-hostess-come-actress tells you how Saga Class customers have already been made relaxed are being served welcome drinks! Economy Class will be served in-flight refreshments shortly!!!

All very technical but what happened to the personal touch!!

Spacious luggage racks are situated above the seats. You are allowed 7 kg of luggage in the cabin which has to be fitted into the racks or under the seat in front of you.

Pillows are available for comfort in-flight which the air hostesses handed out. However there was not sufficient for all passengers and when they had run out that was that!! Seated in row 24, we had no chance!

~~Safety~~

No trolley dollies enacting the use of the oxygen masks or life-jacket!!! A video on the digi-player gives all the necessary information. Probably clearer but not as entertaining!

~~In-Flight Entertainment~~

Placed on your seat is a pair of sealed headphones which work in conjunction with the digi-player. A choice of 10 channels are available providing the dialogue to match the video on screen and a variety of music channels. The headphones are plugged into the arm rest which also operates the channel change and volume control. All well and good but given the snugness of the seats, you have to be something of a contortionist to use them without disturbing your next-door-neighbour!

Daily Newspapers are placed at the entrance to the plane enabling you to pick them up as you enter. An "Atlantica magazine" in placed in each seat pocket with articles on Iceland and a variety of adverts.

Then if you haven't spent enough time in the airport shopping, Icelandair provides an in-flight store Saga Boutique with perfumes, chocolates and a variety of knick-knacks. A trolley service is provided after the refreshments with stewardesses ready to take your money!!!

And if that isn't entertaining enough, then there is the young courting couple kissing and cuddling in front of you or the drunk trying to manouvere round the trolley to the toilets!!

~~In-flight dining~~

Well eating and drinking! Soft drinks, coffee and tea are free; alcoholic drinks COST - a lot! Soon after take-off, the stewardesses hurry down the aisle with their trolleys offering you a drink and also serving any drinks you require with your meal which means you have to balance not one but two drinks on the little drop-down table! Convenient for them but not for us . . .

Once the drink run is complete, it is time for the food! On the journey to Iceland, the meal consisted of a croissant stuffed with ham and cheese followed by a chocolate wafer served in a neat cardboard box marked "A taste of Iceland" - I hope not! On the return flight, the croissant was replaced by a slice of chicked over a potato salad. Neither was very appetising!! But then again, no airline food really is appetising!

Of course, if you fly Saga Class then that's another story . . .

~~Customer Service~~

There were plenty of stewardesses all with fixed smiles and laquored hair who moved through their various duties mechanically and efficiently uttering the least amout of words as necessary, "tea?", "coffee?" . . . All is done without eye-contact and quickly so as to discourage any awkard questions or requests for help!

~~Recommendations~~

The cramped space, poor food, quickness of service - all are common problems with any airline I have travelled with. However, whilst service is with a smile - the smile is fixed with no real welcome behind it. A little more of the personal touch would not have gone amiss - just a few pleasantries perhaps?

The flight was kept prompt and to time - no complaints there. Passengers were boarded on disembarked efficiently and quickly
Economy / Saga Class is a personal choice - usually made with finances in mind. Every passenger is aware that Saga Class is better quality - there is no need to rub it in quite so much!!!

I would fly with Icelandair again with just a few reservations!! 

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