Icelandair will launch four weekly nonstop flights connecting St. Louis Lambert International Airport and Reykjavik’s Keflavik International Airport from May 14 through October 24, 2027. This new route makes St. Louis Icelandair’s 16th U.S. destination.
Restoring Iceland Service and Expanding European Connectivity
The service restores nonstop air travel between St. Louis and Iceland after WOW Air ceased operations in 2019. St. Louis Lambert International Airport also offers daily nonstop flights to London via British Airways and five weekly nonstop flights to Germany via Lufthansa.
Rising Travel Demand and Local Impact
Hotel bookings in St. Louis and St. Louis County increased 12% over the last year, according to Amadeus. Brad Dean, CEO and president
of Explore St. Louis, said, “What we’ve seen in 2026 is when you add additional capacity to Lambert International Airport residents and businesses here take advantage of it, and visitors globally are truly ready to take advantage of it.” He added, “This helps elevate the St. Louis region as not only a great leisure destination, but also a much more competitive meetings and convention destination.”
Gateway Position and Official Responses
Tómas Ingason, Chief Commercial Officer of Icelandair, stated, “St. Louis has long been known as the gateway to the West. Starting next May, it also becomes the gateway to Iceland and onward to Europe.” Mayor
Cara Spencer said, “We’re opening a door that allows more people to discover our city and gives St. Louisans, of course, another opportunity to discover the world.” She also remarked, “Having a direct international flight to Iceland gives St. Louisans more choices of where to travel, where to go, and where to experience the world.”
Promotions and Traveler Benefits
Explore St. Louis plans promotional efforts domestically and internationally to support the new flight. Passengers in St. Louis will gain direct access to Iceland and additional connections onward to Europe, expanding the city’s international travel options beyond routes served by British Airways and Lufthansa.
