As vaccine distribution continues in the U.S., many airlines have begun rebuilding their domestic route networks with a focus on sunny, seasonal destinations for the summer and beyond. However, many countries are not currently open to US passengers, and entry restrictions remain throughout the world, so carriers have been willing to take much larger flights. out of storage and debating or launching an once popular international launch. trails. Delta is embracing that shift today, however, with the news that it will begin operating three routes from the U.S. to Iceland for vaccinated travelers.
(Photo by Tim Graham / Getty Images)
Getty Images
Iceland was the first destination in Europe that allowed Americans to have full vaccination about a week ago (although it allowed other EU citizens with full vaccine certification) without the control of measures including arrival test or quarantine. Delta seemed to be awaiting confirmation of that policy since it was quick to kick in with news that it would launch three routes from its U.S. hubs to the island nation.
“We know our customers are passionate about getting back to the world safely, including exploring one of the most beautiful destinations in the world,” he said. Joe Esposito, Delta’s senior vice president of network design. “As confidence in travel rises, we hope that more countries will reopen to vaccinated travelers, which means more opportunities to reconnect customers with the people and the the most important places. ”
Starting on May 20, the airline will operate a new daily service from Boston to Keflavik (Iceland’s international airport, about an hour from Reykjavik).
- Delta flight DL 266 departs Boston at 10:25 pm and arrives in Keflavik at 7:45 am the following day.
- Delta flights DL 267 departs from Keflavik at 10:15 am and arrives in Boston at 12:00 pm.
The airline will also start two flights to Keflavik that they previously flew, operating daily from both New York JFK starting May 1, 2021, and Minneapolis-St. Paul begins May 27, 2021.
New York flights operate as follows.
- Delta flight DL 246 departs New York at 10:15 pm and arrives at Keflavik at 8:05 am the next day.
- Delta flight DL 247 leaves Keflavik at 11:15 am and arrives in New York at 1:15 pm.
Meanwhile, from Minneapolis-St. Paul …
- Delta flight DL 260 departs Minneapolis-St. Paul at 8:45 pm and arrives in Keflavik at 7:55 am the next day.
- Delta flight DL 261 leaves Keflavik at 9:30 am and reaches Minneapolis-St. Paul at 11:00 am.
Unfortunately, Delta One Suites do not find labels aboard the Boeing 757-200s that Delta uses on these routes. Instead, the planes serving Boston and Minneapolis-St. Paul will have first-class domestic fixtures that the airline sells as their Premium Select international priority economy sets, as well as Comfort + sidewalks and regular Main Cabin seats. The 168-seater aircraft serving the New York JFK will feature Delta One lie sets in 2 – 2 resolutions as well as Comfort + and regular Prime Cabinet seats. Due to the length of these flights, most flights may not remember the lack of high seats.
U.S. travelers wishing to visit Iceland must provide confirmation of a completed course of Covid-19 vaccination with doses from approved manufacturers including AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), Moderna, or Pfizer-BioNTech. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention certification should be sufficient.
It is also worth noting that passengers who have recently been allowed to undergo a positive Covid antibody test along with the introduction of a negative PCR test should be allowed to comply with the country ‘s new rules. For their return, the Biden Administration is asking passengers entering the U.S. to confirm the negative test of Covid-19 within 72 hours of travel, and this applies to vaccine labels as well as those who have not yet received the inoculation.
The rest of Europe is still closed to U.S. travelers for now, though we hope Iceland is just the first of several countries to start on smooth entry rations. At the same time, we may see airlines put more of their standard European summer routes back on schedule. Iceland, on the other hand, has reversed course on similar statements before, so any uncertain plans should be considered. That may not take long for travelers to book or re-book in the coming months. However, with the changes and cancellations currently being introduced by Delta and other airlines, travelers may still want to book a place now and change their plans further. onwards.
If Delta’s new flights don’t fit your plans, don’t forget that Icelandic flag carrier Icelandair also operates several stops from Keflavik to the US, including Boston, Chicago , New York JFK, and Seattle, among others, so visitors have many options.