Wow! What a great trip report so far. Can't wait for the next installment.

I hope there is some way we can save this thread, make it a sticky or a new category. There is a lot of very useful info here, ...links, observations, etc., that will be a big help for those going to Iceland. Like your observation on sweaters in Vik...great stuff to pass on, and keep available for others.


Sorry about the luggage problem, and lack of info from Icelandair (FI).

I've only flown SAS, FI, and NW/KL to Europe. SAS was a long time ago, and only a few times; NW/KL a lot; FI mostly to KEF, but this year I have used them to Europe.

I don't know if is is an Icelandair thing, or a European thing; as I found both FI and KL ground agents to uninformative, uncaring, and difficult to work with.

I can recall one time going from SEA-MSP-AMS-MUC on NW/KL. The NW flt out of MSP was late, so it was a tight connect. I ran to the gate in AMS for my flt on KL to MUC...the plane was there and the jetway still hooked up. Told the KL agent I'm on the flight...I just got in from MSP and ran here...."Sorry, flt is closed". I watched from the terminal for the next 8 min until the jetway was finally disconnected. And then waited 5 hrs for the next KL flt to MUC.

I have had very good service on FI out of MSP. But NW does the ground handeling, and I have been thru there so many times, I know Jessica, the stn mgr. But when things happen, they let you know what is going on.

I flew MSP-KEF-OSL in April. Just about the time the flight inbound from KEF gets to MSP, massive thunderstorms roll thru the airport area, and the flight diverts to Diluth. At least the agents kept all of us informed.

We got to KEF 4 hrs late, so everyone connecting to a FI flt to Europe misconnected. But FI had everyone rebooked for the next day, a bus to take us to the hotel, and paid for the hotel and meals (in the hotel), which I thought was pretty descent for a wx problem.

FI uses a 767 for SFO-KEF, and that plane has palatized cargo. All other FI planes are 757's with belt loading of luggage. It would be my guess that something/someone screwed it up.....and agents could care less about telling you, the passenger.

I'm glad the meal screw-up, and the luggage problem did not cause you to get down on Iceland. A bad begining can make an entire trip seem to go bad.

But, from what you say, you had a good time. I'm glad Cafe Opera worked for you. I hate to make recommendations, as they are so subjective in terms of what is important to you.

Now, give us more of the story.....