Other European Frequent Flyer Programs - Tight Connection in KEF

Hello,
I recently booked a trip for myself from North Dakota to Germany on Icelandair from MSP. My only question is what my chances are of having a problem with a rather tight connection in KEF. I have 50 minutes between scheduled arrival in KEF and departure to FRA. Will i need to clear any passport/custom control in KEF or will it be a painless transfer? I expect that the flight from MSP will arrive early thanks to the winds, but you never know. Anybody with experience in KEF connection's advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

From memory, KEF is a very easy airport to transfer. As Iceland is party to the Schengen agreement, you will have border control in Iceland. With 50 minutes you should still have enough time to transfer. Baggage will be labelled through to FRA and you won't have to collect and re-check in KEF so only passport control will take place there.

As long as both flights are on a single booking you should be fine, even if there is a delay FI has the obligation to get you to FRA. But, as you say, winds should be favorable and you'll have plenty of time.

Flew KEF to Seattle last month. The place can be chaotic between 3 and 6pm as Icelandair schedule pretty much all afternoon/evening arrivals and departures into this window. Having said that, 50 min will be sufficient time and they hold flights for late arrivals to avoid misconnections. My flight boarded on time and we were all ready to go when the captain came on to say we would be waiting 30 min for connecting pax who were on a late incoming flight.

...... so only passport control will take place there.

As you will be connecting, you will go thru the EU security as well . The EU aviation security check and TSA check are not reciprocally accepted, so you walk off the plane and go thru security again.

It all goes fast, and the airport is small. If your arrival is on time, no problem with your connection.

This is not an Icelandair thing, or a KEF thing; when I fly DL and connect in AMS, I have to go thru security again as well for my connecting flight.

As you will be connecting, you will go thru the EU security as well . The EU aviation security check and TSA check are not reciprocally accepted, so you walk off the plane and go thru security again.

It all goes fast, and the airport is small. If your arrival is on time, no problem with your connection.

This is not an Icelandair thing, or a KEF thing; when I fly DL and connect in AMS, I have to go thru security again as well for my connecting flight.

thanks for adding that, yes, you will go through security again. My comments were only really relating to customs and immigration formalities whereby you will only pass passport control. Any customs (goods to declare) will take place in FRA.

thanks for adding that, yes, you will go through security again. My comments were only really relating to customs and immigration formalities whereby you will only pass passport control. Any customs (goods to declare) will take place in FRA.

Very true. I only added that because the OP was concerned with cnx time.

I travel to the Schengen countries a lot; usually on FI thru KEF or DL thru AMS.

The bottleneck at KEF can be security - not because it is different or more inclusive - the security line gets hit with many NA arrivals all at once. But it does run thru the queue fairly quickly. Passport Control there is a snap, but everyone is arriving from US/Canada.

It is just the reverse in AMS. Passport control (which you go thru before security) has often times been backed up, due to questioning of people wanting to enter Schengen, usually from the Middle East or Africa, where language problems can cause delays with the process. Security is fast, as there is no queue.

My experience anyway.

Thanks for all the replies! I am guessing I will be fine, as like I said, i am expecting that we will arrive early being that we are an eastbound flight. I do know that I will be reclearing security in KEF, which is the norm on my Europe hauls. Normally I enter the EU in HEL and transfer to RIX, and the security there is...lax to say the least. I am sure seeing a little bit of Iceland will be exciting. Thanks again.