Iceland Unites Poland and more as Gdansk Flights Open Exciting New Routes for Global Tourists

[Keflavik, September 18, 2026] — Icelandair has officially launched its first flight route to Poland, establishing a direct aviation link between Gdansk and Keflavik to streamline travel between Northern Europe and North America.

The service, which commenced on September 18, 2026, utilizes Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to connect Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport with Keflavik International Airport. The route is scheduled to operate through May 31, 2027, initially providing three weekly flights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. To meet anticipated winter demand, Icelandair will add a fourth weekly flight every Saturday from October 25, 2026, through March 15, 2027.

The Strategic Expansion into Poland

The launch of this route is a calculated expansion by Icelandair to leverage the growing tourism markets in both Poland and Iceland. By integrating Gdansk into its network, the airline is not merely offering a point-to-point service but is positioning the Polish city as a primary entry point for travelers heading toward Iceland’s tourism infrastructure and onward to North American destinations via the Keflavik hub.

The timing of the expansion aligns with significant growth at Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport. In 2025, the airport processed 7,393,016 passengers, marking a growth of more than 10% over its 2024 figures. During that same period, the airport maintained 98 scheduled connections serving 27 different countries with 11 different airlines.

This connectivity arrives as Iceland continues its aggressive post-pandemic tourism recovery. According to data from the Icelandic Tourist Board, the nation welcomed nearly 2.3 million foreign visitors in 2025. Tourism remains a pillar of the Icelandic economy, contributing 8.8% to the national GDP and generating nearly ISK 914 billion in consumption in 2025.

Affected Travelers, Airlines and Logistics

The new flight schedule impacts a wide range of travelers, from leisure tourists to business professionals moving between the Baltic coast and the North Atlantic.

Impact Group	Primary Effect
Polish Travelers	Direct access to Iceland and simplified transit to North American cities.
North American Tourists	A new gateway to explore Northern Poland via a stopover in Iceland.
Gdansk Airport	Increased international traffic and a new strategic partnership with a major transatlantic carrier.
Keflavik Airport	Increased passenger volume from the Polish market, which was already a top-five source market for Iceland in 2022.

Practical Traveler Advisory and Strategic Insights

For passengers booking flights, this route transforms the logistics of multi-destination itineraries. Travelers can now combine a visit to the historic city of Gdansk with an Icelandic excursion and a North American trip on a single network.

However, travelers must be aware of a critical logistical detail regarding Icelandic transit. While international flights arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), all domestic flights within Iceland depart from Reykjavik Airport. These two facilities are separate, and passengers continuing to the Icelandic interior or remote fjords must budget sufficient time for the 50-kilometer transfer between the two airports.

From a booking perspective, the seasonal nature of the route is vital. The current plan expires on May 31, 2027, meaning travelers planning summer 2027 trips to Poland via Iceland will need to monitor for schedule extensions or alternative routing.

Tourism Growth and Market Potential

The viability of the Gdansk-Keflavik link is supported by a five-year surge in visitor numbers in both regions. Iceland's recovery has been steep: from approximately 700,000 departures in 2021, the number jumped to nearly 1.7 million in 2022 and peaked at nearly 2.3 million in 2025. Notably, 2.27 million of those 2025 visitors arrived specifically through Keflavik, representing 98.7% of all international arrivals.

Gdansk has mirrored this growth. Municipal reports indicate a steady climb in visitors:

• 2021: 3,036,995 visitors (86% domestic)
• 2022: 3.728 million visitors (81% domestic)
• 2023: 4.1 million visitors (including 968,000 international guests)
• 2024: 4.5 million tourists (an 11% increase over 2023)

While Statistics Poland reported a lower figure of 2.9 million accommodated tourists in 2025, this reflects a different measurement methodology focusing on overnight stays rather than total citywide visitors, including day-trippers.

The Road Ahead: 2027 and Beyond

As Icelandair monitors the performance of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 on this route, the focus will remain on the winter surge. The addition of Saturday flights suggests the airline expects high demand for winter tourism—likely driven by Northern Lights seekers from Poland and transatlantic travelers utilizing Iceland as a winter hub.

The long-term success of the route will depend on whether the 2025 growth trends at Gdansk Airport continue and if the Polish market maintains its position as a top-five source of visitors for Iceland. If passenger loads remain high through May 2027, an extension into the summer peak season is a probable next step.

FAQ: Gdansk-Keflavik Route 2026-2027

When can I fly from Gdansk to Iceland? Flights operate three times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. A fourth flight is added on Saturdays between October 25, 2026, and March 15, 2027.

Which aircraft is used for this route? Icelandair operates the Boeing 737 MAX 8 for all scheduled flights between Gdansk and Keflavik.

Do I land in Reykjavik city? No. International flights land at Keflavik International Airport, located roughly 50 kilometers from Reykjavik. Domestic flights use a separate airport within the city.

How long is the route scheduled to run? The current flight schedule is planned to operate from its start date of September 18, 2026, through May 31, 2027.

A new bridge across the North Atlantic, linking the Baltic coast to the Arctic circle.

#GDN-KEF2026 #Icelandair #GdanskLechWalesa #KeflavikAirport #PolandIcelandTravel #Boeing737MAX8

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