Icelandair Max Situation
#76
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 110
I wouldn't be too worried. November is the off-season and they are leasing aircraft this summer to cover schedule. I flew KEF-LGW and back in a Privilege Style 757 (EC-HDS, It's still doing that rotation). Old and Creaky (litterally, it shimmied all over during takeoff/landings) No IFE/WiFi. There was Icelandair cabin crew.
#78
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 112
#79
Join Date: May 2017
Location: NYC
Programs: TrueBlue, Hyatt
Posts: 85
#80
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Alaska, United, American, Singapore
Posts: 30
I haven't been able to find this online but if Iceland air does an equipment swap, are you able to make changes with no change fee? Possibly fly out of a different airport due to this?? Thanks for the insight!
#81
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, TP Silver
Posts: 894
#82
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Maastricht, unless I'm out.
Programs: BAEC, Flying Blue, Eurostar, Miles&Smiles
Posts: 321
I believe if they change the operator (to a wet lease) they are required to inform you and I believe in this case most airlines let you change (might even be a legal requirement). However, even if it were a change of operator, you wouldn't be able to change the port of origin. But if it's the same operator just a different type? Not a hope. They would lose billions as aircraft swaps happen multiple times daily.
#83
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: CHO
Programs: Auto shop by CHO Frequent Oil Changer; Kayak Incognito Mode Platinum
Posts: 288
I wouldn't be too worried. November is the off-season and they are leasing aircraft this summer to cover schedule. I flew KEF-LGW and back in a Privilege Style 757 (EC-HDS, It's still doing that rotation). Old and Creaky (litterally, it shimmied all over during takeoff/landings) No IFE/WiFi. There was Icelandair cabin crew.
Honestly, whatever, it's a medium-distance leg. I was far more annoyed that I was dumped in a middle seat when they swapped the previously scheduled 757-300 out to a 757-200 for 6 hours of KEF-IAD.
#85
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: MileagePlus
Posts: 200
They still haven't updated my Jan 18 EWR -> KEF from a Max 9 to whatever they're swapping it with (I think a 757 is what they've been using). How does a 757 compare to the Max 9?
I just want to make sure they don't cancel the flight so I can start booking hotels and tours and stuff.
I just want to make sure they don't cancel the flight so I can start booking hotels and tours and stuff.
#86
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BRS
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 5,048
#87
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 333
They still haven't updated my Jan 18 EWR -> KEF from a Max 9 to whatever they're swapping it with (I think a 757 is what they've been using). How does a 757 compare to the Max 9?
I just want to make sure they don't cancel the flight so I can start booking hotels and tours and stuff.
I just want to make sure they don't cancel the flight so I can start booking hotels and tours and stuff.
757s sure are older than 737 MAXs and may at times show their age (especially in IFE quality), but in my limited experience (total one flight few years ago) FI maintain these pretty well, so the flying experience should be fine. FI has been also using some leased aircrafts and it is possible these have different (possibly slightly worse) cabin interior, but at least these planes are not prone to fall down from the sky due to some odd avionics software "feature".
#88
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: MileagePlus
Posts: 200
I would not worry too much, if they can't fly with 737 MAX then they will find some alternative plane for the flight and since 757s form the backbone of FI fleet that is indeed the most likely replacement. I believe KEF<->EWR is sufficiently popular route that I would say the chances of cancellation due to too few aircraft would require some additional issues. And the first option after a cancellation would likely be trying to reroute as many pax as possible (in case of EWR, probably via JFK would be the first option).
757s sure are older than 737 MAXs and may at times show their age (especially in IFE quality), but in my limited experience (total one flight few years ago) FI maintain these pretty well, so the flying experience should be fine. FI has been also using some leased aircrafts and it is possible these have different (possibly slightly worse) cabin interior, but at least these planes are not prone to fall down from the sky due to some odd avionics software "feature".
757s sure are older than 737 MAXs and may at times show their age (especially in IFE quality), but in my limited experience (total one flight few years ago) FI maintain these pretty well, so the flying experience should be fine. FI has been also using some leased aircrafts and it is possible these have different (possibly slightly worse) cabin interior, but at least these planes are not prone to fall down from the sky due to some odd avionics software "feature".
#89
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Denmark, ½ hour drive from BLL
Posts: 140
FI has now leased a 16 years old B738, TF-KEX, from the Slovak airline AirExplore: https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9693374 / https://www.planespotters.net/airfra...landair/rmx9ge . It seems to have been flying on various European routes; to/from LHR/LGW, HAM and OSL.