Trip Reports - Greenland and nonstop flight BWISFJ

I went on the Air Greenland inaugural flight BWISFJ 2Nov-9Nov and spent an amazing week in Greenland. Of course, since it was winter we got the true Greenland experience- no tourists but lots of icebergs and sledge dogs. It is truly an unspoiled destination and the Greenlandic people are very warm and welcoming. We took a boat ride through the icebergs, went dogsledding, hiked in the snow and went to the ice cap both by land vehicle and by helicopter. On the downside, there are few hotels and restaurants, lots of smokers and limited food choices. Meat choices are seal, whale, musk ox and reindeer- not chicken or beef. Vegetables are more of a garnish than a sidedish. Some of the restaurants are very good though and the seafood is some of the best I have ever had. It is probably one of the most unique destinations I have had the chance to experience.

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Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Did the route already start?
Accoring to http://www.greenland.com/News_and_Dialogues/News/USA_airgreenland.php , the flights will only start in the spring, and I can't seem to find a way to check ticket prices or schedules on any website. Air Greenland website doesn't even list BWI as a destination yet.

Scheduled service will begin next May. Flights are not yet in the system. I think they will be before the first of the year. If I remember correctly the flight will run twice a week. The inaugural was a special flight.

Can you give us some more info about the flight,classes,seats,service on board,type of plane etc.... Please

Can you give us some more info about the flight,classes,seats,service on board,type of plane etc.... Please

Here, here! ^ ^

And more on Greenland too! One of my fantasies is to do exactly the trip you did!!! What were the accommodations like there? Was it super expensive? What did you see? Tell us!!!! :D

Service is scheduled to begin May 11 with one flight per week, then in June will go to two flights per week on Monday and Friday. Current information is it will be a 2 class 757. Flight schedule BWISFJ 2:15p-9:15p, SFJBWI 10:35a-1:00p. Since I was on a special flight, I don't know that I can rate the service accurately.
Greenland is expensive although not much more than Europe for Americans. There are very few hotels and restaurants. Nicest hotel is the Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat. It would compare to a mid to upper midrange European hotel. Other hotels I stayed in or saw I would consider budget to midrange. None are large international hotels. Most of the restaurants are located in the hotels. Souvenir shopping is a challenge for Americans because most things are made from seal or whale.
Since I was on a trip to develop tourism in Greenland, I was fortunate to meet many Greenlandic people. They were very welcoming and I learned a lot about the Greenlandic culture. People in Greenland still live very much off the land and sea. Everyone hunts and fishes. Travel between towns is done by plane or boat since there are no roads between towns. Few roads means few cars. Dog sledges are preferred over snowmobiles beause they are quieter and don't damage the environment. Buildings are painted bright shades of red, blue, yellow and even purple. In the winter, the landscape would be very drab without their color. There are no trees. Also, no large billboards or signs..
Anyone traveling to Greenland needs to be accepting of their culture. The sledge dogs are kept chained by law at all times. Sixty-five percent of the population smokes and nonsmoking areas are for the most part nonexistent. Hunters stroll through the streets with rifles under their arms and pulling their freshly killed seals behind. I felt I had stepped back in time to a simpler, more down to earth existence.

I went on the Air Greenland inaugural flight BWISFJ 2Nov-9Nov and spent an amazing week in Greenland.

Is this operated by Icelandair ???

No. Air Greenland

Air Greenland website doesn't even list BWI as a destination yet.
The Air Greenland website still does not list BWI or any US/Canada airport.
Only airports listed are in Greenland and Denmark

The Air Greenland website still does not list BWI or any US/Canada airport.
Only airports listed are in Greenland and Denmark
For price and booking info, click the USA-Greenland button at top of page.

Here is a direct link:

http://www.airgreenland.gl/index.php?pageid=328

Sorta pricey at 1,100 roundtrip, but Greenland would certaintly be a non-typical destination.

Here is a direct link:

http://www.airgreenland.gl/index.php?pageid=328

Sorta pricey at 1,100 roundtrip, but Greenland would certaintly be a non-typical destination.
Yep, lack of competition on this route. :)

Edit the direct link to .com instead of .gl tho'.