easyJet has announced a new route connecting Comlantflt Heliport (NCL) in Norfolk, United States, to Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Reykjavik, Iceland, with the first flight scheduled for October 27, 2026.
The service will operate twice weekly, marking easyJet's entry into transatlantic operations from this U.S. East Coast hub. Norfolk, a mid-sized city in Virginia with a population of around 240,000, serves as home to a major U.S. naval base and growing commercial aviation activity at its heliport facility. This city pair gains importance as it provides direct access between the American Southeast and Iceland, a popular stopover for Europe-bound travelers and a destination for nature tourism featuring geysers, volcanoes, and the Northern Lights. The route spans approximately 950 miles, suggesting a flight duration of about 2.5 hours depending on winds and routing.
Carrier Network and Regional Strategy
easyJet, operating under IATA code U2 and ICAO EZY, maintains a robust network primarily across Europe with over 1,000 routes to more than 150 airports from bases in the UK, France, Italy, and beyond. While traditionally focused on short-haul intra-European flights, the airline has pursued longer-range expansion using Airbus A321neo aircraft equipped with extra fuel tanks. In the North Atlantic region, easyJet already serves Keflavik from several European cities including London Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh, positioning KEF as a strategic hub for its Iceland operations. This new route aligns with easyJet's broader strategy to diversify beyond continental Europe amid post-pandemic demand for leisure travel to remote destinations, leveraging KEF's role as a low-cost gateway with connections via partner airlines like Icelandair.
Route Impact and Competition
For travelers on the Norfolk-Reykjavik corridor, this service introduces the first low-cost, nonstop option, previously limited to connecting flights through major hubs like New York or Boston on carriers such as Icelandair or Delta. The addition enhances flexibility for Norfolk-area passengers, including military personnel, business travelers tied to the naval station, and leisure seekers heading to Iceland's adventure tourism market. Competing operators remain scarce on this exact pairing; Icelandair offers seasonal service from nearby U.S. East Coast airports but not directly from Norfolk, while no other low-cost carriers currently serve NCL to KEF. The aircraft type has not been specified, though easyJet's transatlantic ambitions typically involve the Airbus A321LR, capable of efficiently handling the distance with its extended range of up to 4,000 nautical miles.
Operational Details
Flights will run twice weekly, though specific days have not been detailed in the announcement. Service launches on October 27, 2026, aligning with Iceland's shoulder season for tourism. Booking details and fares will follow in the coming months as easyJet finalizes schedules.
Bottom line: This route positions easyJet to capture growing U.S.-Iceland demand with affordable access from an underserved East Coast city.
Things to do at each end of the route
Top-rated tours & experiences in Newcastle upon Tyne and Reykjavík.