First Airbus aircraft just arrived in Iceland with a very low pass and gear up

Icelandair has officially transitioned from being an all-Boeing airline with the delivery of its inaugural Airbus aircraft, an A321LR (registered as TF-IAA). The aircraft made a notable journey, flying from the Airbus facility in Hamburg to Reykjavík, where it performed low passes over Reykjavík Domestic Airport before landing at Keflavik International Airport. Starting December 10, 2024, Icelandair will utilize this A321LR model for longer routes, including flights to Copenhagen and Stockholm, with further expansions planned to London-Heathrow and Oslo shortly after. By May 2025, the airline will extend its services to destinations including Toronto and Seattle, followed by several European cities. From a transportation perspective, Icelandair’s entry into the Airbus fleet represents a strategic decision to diversify its operations and enhance its route network. The addition of the A321LR, known for its fuel efficiency and range, allows the airline to expand its international offerings while keeping operational costs in check, particularly important given the current economic landscape affecting air travel. This move could improve competitiveness against other carriers operating in the same markets, allowing Icelandair to tap into burgeoning routes more effectively.