Icelandair announces Portland, Oregon (PDX)
#18
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Europe
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#19
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: MEL
Programs: QF, FI, BA, HHonors & Le Club Accorhotels
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#21
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,956
Their oldest active 752 is MSN 24456, first flight in 1989, so not very old. To put it in perspective, it is on par with UA, and newer than DL, who operates 752s made in 1985.
My guess is that perhaps they do maintenance during that window?
My guess is that perhaps they do maintenance during that window?
#22
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CDG
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 1,611
SEA, YVR, PDX, that's alot of metal focused on the pacific northwest, any reason for the focus on that region? Not that I'm complaining at all, I just find it surprising as I thought California or other cities on the East Coast would be added first!
#23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Europe
Programs: UA:1K MM, AF:FB-Platinum; QR: PC Platinum, FI: Saga Gold
Posts: 2,934
There's quite a Nordic community in that region. I believe they launched service to SEA when SAS Scandinavian pulled out - a time when SK was even more mismanaged than now. And I guess it worked so well that they expanded to PDX and YVR...
Their 757s don't have the range to California. The East Coast is already served pretty well - Boston for example will have three daily flights next summer...
Last edited by Braniff; Oct 25, 2014 at 4:55 pm
#24
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: GVA,OPO
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They fly old Boeing 757s which are practically being given away - so there is essentially no cost of capital. They do the same for their Seattle, Vancouver, Denver and Orlando flights. This business model clearly would not work with a new fleet so perhaps not sustainable.
And in reverse they cannot leave earlier than ~5pm from KEF otherwise it cannot take connecting pax from Europe.
Icelandair must have looked at the scenarios of forcing an overnight at KEF for connecting pax to these destinations in one of the directions but went for the 20+ hours of plane parked in the US option so I guess it's the best financial scenario for them.
#25
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YOW
Programs: TK*S, SPG Gold
Posts: 714
Wow, Icelandair continues to surprise. They are certainly doing clever things, and the Iceland stopover option is brilliant, in my opinion.
I know they are causing some problems for AC up here in Canada by offering much cheaper options to Europe.
However, the few times I've been at KEF it seems almost too busy. I would worry long term about how continued increasing demand would place additional pressure on the airport. The US/CAN departure area can be insane at times.
I know they are causing some problems for AC up here in Canada by offering much cheaper options to Europe.
However, the few times I've been at KEF it seems almost too busy. I would worry long term about how continued increasing demand would place additional pressure on the airport. The US/CAN departure area can be insane at times.
#26
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: Gold DL, Silver UA, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 255
Historically Icelandair has been picking destinations in the U.S. that are not served by many international carriers in order to capitalize on an under-served international market.
So instead of IAD, they used to fly to BWI where they were the only major international carrier aside from a daily BA flight.
That's why they have been expanding in markets like Portland, Anchorage, Edmonton, Halifax.
They also of course serve major gateways like JFK, Boston, EWR.
I highly recommend going to Iceland. And flying Icelandair is pleasant enough. Although I understand they now don't serve meals in coach. Last time I flew them was in 2010.
So instead of IAD, they used to fly to BWI where they were the only major international carrier aside from a daily BA flight.
That's why they have been expanding in markets like Portland, Anchorage, Edmonton, Halifax.
They also of course serve major gateways like JFK, Boston, EWR.
I highly recommend going to Iceland. And flying Icelandair is pleasant enough. Although I understand they now don't serve meals in coach. Last time I flew them was in 2010.
#29
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 810
Oh my God, this would make my LIFE. Living in LA and flying to Iceland multiple times a year through Denver now...Don't get my hopes up, I'm giddy just thinking about it