Icelandair Economy: Seats, Bags, Meals and Wi-Fi

Last fact check: July 30, 2026

Icelandair Economy is a practical way to cross the North Atlantic, but it is not a traditional full-service international economy product. Entertainment and water, coffee and tea are included; meals, headphones, alcoholic drinks and Wi-Fi cost extra.

The biggest booking decision is the fare family. Economy Light, Standard and Flex use the same economy cabin, but their checked-bag allowance, seat selection, change rules and permitted Iceland stopover length differ.

Icelandair Economy at a glance

Feature	What to expect
Standard seat pitch	Generally 31–33 inches, depending on aircraft and row
Layout	3-3 on the A321LR, 737 MAX and 757; 2-3-2 on the 767
Checked bag	None with Light; one 23 kg bag with Standard and Flex
Carry-on	One bag up to 10 kg plus a small personal item
Carry-on dimensions	55 x 40 x 20 cm, including handles and wheels
Seat selection	Paid with Light; rear economy included with Standard; included with Flex
Meals	For purchase in all economy fares
Included drinks	Water, coffee and tea
Entertainment	Included; bring headphones or buy a set onboard
Wi-Fi	Available for purchase on international fleet; price and capability vary by aircraft and route
Iceland stopover	Up to 3 nights with Light, 7 with Standard and 21 with Flex

These benefits apply to Icelandair-operated international flights. A codeshare or connecting flight operated by another airline can have different baggage, seating and onboard-service rules.

Economy Light vs. Standard vs. Flex

The seat itself does not improve when moving from Light to Flex. The higher fares primarily buy baggage, seat selection and flexibility.

Benefit	Economy Light	Economy Standard	Economy Flex
Carry-on	1 x 10 kg + personal item	1 x 10 kg + personal item	1 x 10 kg + personal item
Checked baggage	Not included	1 x 23 kg	1 x 23 kg
Seat selection	For purchase	Rear section included when available	Included
Changes	Not permitted	Permitted with fee and fare difference	No change fee; fare difference may apply
Cancellation	Taxes only	Taxes only under standard terms	Airfare refundable under applicable fare terms
In-flight entertainment	Included	Included	Included
Meals and Wi-Fi	For purchase	For purchase	For purchase
Stopover allowance	Up to 3 nights	Up to 7 nights	Up to 21 nights

When Economy Light makes sense

Light can work for a short trip when one 10 kg cabin bag is sufficient and you do not care where you sit. It becomes less attractive after adding a checked bag and paid seat selection.

Compare the final checkout totals, not the opening fare cards. A Standard fare may cost less than Light plus separate extras.

When Economy Standard makes sense

Standard is the most straightforward option for many transatlantic travelers. It includes one 23 kg checked bag and seat selection in the rear economy section when available.

Seats in the forward or middle sections can still cost extra, even though a basic seat choice is included.

When Economy Flex makes sense

Flex includes economy seat selection and permits changes without a change fee, although any fare difference remains payable. It also allows an airfare refund under the applicable fare conditions and permits a longer stopover.

Flex does not include the Saga Premium cabin, meals or free Wi-Fi.

Icelandair economy seats by aircraft

Icelandair is transitioning from Boeing 757s toward Airbus A321LR aircraft and also operates the 737 MAX and 767. The assigned aircraft matters more than the fare family for seat width and layout.

Aircraft	Economy layout	Published pitch	Published width
Airbus A321LR	3-3	31–33 in	18 in
Boeing 737 MAX	3-3	31–32 in	17.2 in
Boeing 757-200/300	3-3	32 in	17 in
Boeing 767-300ER	2-3-2	31–33 in	17.6 in

The 767 is appealing to couples because its side sections have two seats instead of three. The A321LR has the widest published standard economy seat in this comparison. The final seat experience still depends on row location, recline, nearby fixtures and whether equipment reduces under-seat storage.

Aircraft substitutions happen. Recheck the seat map after schedule changes and during online check-in.

How comfortable is Icelandair Economy?

A pitch of 31 to 33 inches is typical rather than spacious. The 32-inch figure shown in Icelandair’s fare comparison is a useful general guide, but the aircraft pages provide the more precise range.

Passengers who need additional space can purchase a More Legroom seat. Icelandair defines these as providing at least 86 cm, or about 34 inches, and places them at exit rows and selected other positions.

Before choosing a row, consider:

A321LR and 737 MAX: conventional single-aisle 3-3 cabins
757: also 3-3, but the older airframe may have different power and Wi-Fi

capabilities

767: twin-aisle 2-3-2 layout with no three-seat side section
Exit rows: more space but subject to eligibility and baggage rules
Bulkheads: no seat directly ahead, but tray tables may reduce usable

width and feet cannot always extend as expected

Rear rows: closer to lavatory and galley traffic on many configurations

Do not rely on a generic Icelandair seat map. Open the map for the exact aircraft shown in the reservation.

Are meals included?

Meals are not included in Economy Light, Standard or Flex.

Economy passengers can pre-purchase a meal or buy a lighter item from the onboard menu. Selection depends on route and flight length. Icelandair’s current menu includes meat, vegetarian and some special-diet choices, but availability can change.

Pre-order deadlines depend on departure region:

from Keflavík: up to 24 hours before departure
from Europe: up to 30 hours before departure
from North America: up to 36 hours before departure

Passengers may bring their own food, subject to security and destination customs rules. Those with allergies or dietary requirements should not assume the onboard menu will provide an appropriate option.

Which drinks are free?

Icelandair lists water, coffee and tea as included in economy.

The current live Aircraft Insider article says juices and soft drinks are complimentary throughout the flight. Icelandair’s fare table does not make that promise. Alcoholic drinks and other menu beverages are sold onboard.

Onboard purchases are generally priced in Icelandic króna or euros, and availability may differ by route.

Entertainment and headphones

Personal in-flight entertainment is complimentary on Icelandair’s international fleet. The system offers movies, television, music and children’s content.

Headphones are not complimentary with an economy fare. Icelandair lists them for purchase onboard. Bringing comfortable wired headphones avoids the fee and usually provides better sound.

The A321LR page lists 13-inch economy screens. Other aircraft use different hardware, so do not assume one screen size across the fleet.

Entertainment is not offered on domestic Iceland routes or Greenland flights using aircraft without the system.

Wi-Fi: price and aircraft differences

Economy passengers can purchase Wi-Fi for one device. Icelandair’s current published pricing distinguishes newer and older aircraft:

Aircraft	Iceland–Europe	Iceland–North America	Stated capability
A321LR or 737 MAX	€12	€24	Browsing, email and streaming
757 or 767	€6	€12	Browsing and email

Prices and availability can change, so check the onboard portal. Saga Premium and Saga Gold benefits differ from economy.

The live article’s statement that basic messaging and streaming are sold as separate tiers is not how Icelandair’s current official page presents the service. Capability is tied primarily to aircraft type.

Wi-Fi is not available on Icelandair’s domestic and Greenland flights.

Power and USB availability

Icelandair’s fleet pages identify USB and power options on many individual aircraft, but equipment is not identical across every tail. Its economy fare comparison does not promise a power socket as a standard economy benefit.

Check the assigned aircraft and carry a charged power bank that complies with airline battery rules. Do not plan a long flight around a guaranteed AC outlet.

Baggage rules

All three economy fare families include one cabin bag up to 10 kg and a small personal item. The maximum cabin-bag dimensions are 55 x 40 x 20 cm, including handles and wheels.

Economy Light includes no checked bag. Standard and Flex include one checked piece up to 23 kg.

Important exceptions:

partner-operated segments may use another carrier’s allowance
excess, overweight and additional-bag fees vary by route and purchase time
special equipment has separate rules
the allowance shown on the issued ticket controls when an itinerary mixes

airlines

Measure and weigh bags before leaving for the airport.

Seat selection

Economy Light passengers pay to select any seat. If they do not purchase one, the airline assigns a seat.

Economy Standard includes selection in the rear section when available. Forward and middle economy seats can still carry a fee.

Economy Flex includes standard seat selection throughout the economy cabin, subject to availability. More Legroom seats remain a paid upgrade for all economy fares.

Seat assignments can change for operational reasons and are not a guarantee that the scheduled aircraft will remain unchanged.

How the Icelandair Stopover works

An Icelandair Stopover turns a transatlantic connection at Keflavík into a stay in Iceland without adding airfare for the stop itself. Taxes, hotels, ground transportation, meals and activities are separate.

The maximum duration depends on fare:

Economy Light: up to 3 nights
Economy Standard: up to 7 nights
Economy Flex: up to 21 nights

The online booking engine supports a stopover of up to seven nights. Icelandair directs Flex passengers wanting a longer stay to its service center.

“No additional airfare” does not mean the stopover is free. Accommodation in Iceland can be expensive, and adding days creates normal travel expenses.

Connections at Keflavík

Icelandair’s network is designed around connections between North America and Europe at Keflavík International Airport. Short scheduled connections are common.

For one-ticket itineraries, Icelandair builds a connection it expects passengers to make. Still:

follow connection signs rather than baggage-claim signs
check whether passport control applies to the itinerary
keep medication and essentials in cabin baggage
do not leave the secure area during a short connection
distinguish Keflavík (KEF) from Reykjavík domestic airport (RKV)

KEF and RKV are different airports about 50 km apart. A separate domestic flight from RKV requires a ground transfer and adequate time.

Check-in

Icelandair says online check-in becomes available 24 hours before departure for all destinations—not 36 hours as the old article states.

Airport desk opening and closing times differ by airport. Check the specific airport page, especially when traveling with checked baggage or during peak summer schedules.

Is Icelandair Economy worth it?

Icelandair Economy is strongest for travelers who:

find a competitive total price after adding bags, seats and meals
value a direct Iceland trip or a structured transatlantic connection
can benefit from the stopover program
prefer the 767’s 2-3-2 layout or the A321LR’s wider published seats
are comfortable buying food separately or bringing their own

It is less compelling when a Light fare becomes expensive after extras, when free checked baggage and meals are priorities, or when the itinerary is significantly longer than a nonstop alternative.

Compare total trip cost and schedule—not merely the headline fare.

Bottom line

Icelandair Economy provides a standard 31-to-33-inch seat pitch, personal entertainment, one 10 kg carry-on and complimentary water, coffee and tea. Meals, headphones and Wi-Fi cost extra.

Economy Light has no checked bag or included seat selection. Standard adds a 23 kg checked bag and rear-cabin seat selection. Flex adds broader seat selection, refundability and more flexible change terms, but it does not turn the trip into a premium-cabin experience.

The Iceland stopover remains the product’s distinctive advantage—provided you choose a fare that allows the length you want and budget separately for the stay.

Icelandair Economy Review: Seats, Bags, Meals and Wi-Fi

Icelandair Economy at a glance