American Airlines teased 5 cities for new routes, offering images as clues, and I decoded them. However, aviation watchdog JonNYC suggests this was something of a ruse – a route they’ll be announcing wasn’t in the clues at all.
In fact, JonNYC says to expect a return of American Airlines to Reykjavik, Iceland. He doesn’t tell us the city they’ll fly from or the plane they’ll use.
I'd personally speculate that Reykjavík might be on the table, potentially.
— JonNYC (@xJonNYC) July 14, 2026
American Airlines Iceland service logically flows from Philadelphia. That’s American’s transatlantic gateaway. However they previously ran flights from Dallas- Fort Worth to Reykjavik when both Icelandair and Wow Air started flying that route. Here’s how then-CEO Doug Parker explained their classic anti-competitive approach,
Somebody starts flying a flight from Dallas to anywhere and American either is already there or we’re gonna be there. Because we’re not going to let customers have another option other than American in and out of here.
When Icelandair and Wow Air pulled out of Dallas, American ended their own Dallas – Reykjavik service and moved it to Philadelphia. All of a sudden they had no competition, the route all to themselves, and they didn’t even want to fly it.
The airline had said they were considering making Dallas Fort-Worth – Reykjavik year-round. Instead, before the pandemic they planned year-round out of Philadelphia. Then the pandemic happened.
The truth is that Iceland is a leisure market, and can work on a narrowbody without flat business class suites. Philadelphia – Reykjavik is actually a shorter flight than Boston – San Francisco and lacks the business travel. So it’s not clear to me – if indeed the flight turns out to be from Philadelphia – whether American would use:
- Airbus A321XLR (which seems too premium-heavy with business suites and premium economy)
- Boeing 737 MAX
- Airbus A321neo (which should work for a summer flight, without winter headwinds on the westbound)
If there’s a market that’s genuinely seasonal, it’s US – Iceland. It’s also getting crowded, since it’s not just Icelandair and Delta and United. Alaska Airlines added Reykjavik and Southwest Airlines has been expected to, given that their 737 MAXs can make it from Baltimore, they’re partnering with Icelandair, and this would give them a gateway to Europe.
Gary – I think that Instagram post from yesterday wasn’t a new route teaser; it was just a regular ad. Things that make me think this were
1) The word “new” wasn’t seen anywhere in the post
2) AA already flies to all the destinations in the post
3) New routes aren’t usually announced until August/September
2) They weren’t really clues to decode but pictures to identify
I am in Iceland now. Beautiful place. Bring lots of money. It’s very expensive.
@Coffee Please – lucky you! I’ve been 4 times and can’t wait to return. Truly one of the most amazing places on earth and I love chilling in Reykjavik having a few locals beers. You are right it isn’t cheaper (cheaper than Norway but that isn’t saying much) but IMHO well worth it.
@Coffee Please, @Retired Gambler — If you’re into the North Atlantic, have either of you been to Faroe Islands?
@1990 – Not me. On my list though. Been to Nuuk Greenland in addition to Iceland so almost have to hit the Faroe Islands at some point
@Retired Gambler — It’s pleasant. Less volcanoes, more sheep. I’ve been meaning to take that United nonstop from EWR-GOH. Pretty wild that it exists. I joke about it, but I hope it lasts.
@1990 – yep I took the UA flight last July. Suspected it wouldn’t come back this year and didn’t want to miss a chance to go. 80,000 miles for r/t coach (was able to get upgraded coming back) – cash rates were crazy – but don’t regret the 4 days I spent there. Unique place and not really ready from an infrastructure standpoint. Handful of hotels and limited bars/restaurants but amazing scenery. Took a boat trip up the fjord and was surrounded by icebergs floating (in July).
@Retired Gambler Iceland is more expensive than Norway???
Going to the Faroe Islands tomorrow.
@Retired Gambler — That’s awesome! “not really ready from an infrastructure standpoint” is what I was hearing as well. Glad it still worked out for you!
@Coffee Please — Woah! Safe travels. If this is your first time and you like the to drink (things other than coffee), be sure to get a bottle or two of your favorite spirits before exiting duty-free at the Vágar Airport (FAE). Trust me, that’s like the only option on the island, unless you only like weak beer (under 2.8% ABV). Locals will literally fly to Copenhagen and back, just to have access to stock-up. Watch as they fill shopping carts at the duty free. Wild. Anyway, enjoy some amazing hiking.
Skip Iceland and go to the Faroe Islands. Iceland is for the mass tourists. It’s beautiful, yes, but it is like Barcelona.
Either way, AA can easily make this route work with an A321NEO or a 737-MAX8. Definitely not an XLR route. Too premium heavy.
@lavanderialarry — Wow, I didn’t realize Faroe had such a calling on here. This is cool!
The JV with IAG requires lie flat business seats on any transatlantic route, and Iceland is specifically included.
Thanks Gary, I’m blown away by the arrogance of Doug Parker’s statement from his AA CEO tenure: “…Because we’re not going to let customers have another option other than American in and out of here”. Really ??? He could have easily said the same thing in a manner that’s positive to their customer base, like “American is deeply grateful for our valued customers, and we want to provide the AA experience that they have come to expect including our lounges, reservation support, vast network to back up flight changes, and of course AAdvantage Miles”. Not sure if it’s the coffee they serve in AA’s headquarters, Robert Isom has the same arrogance problem. Just like Parker, he has to go.
@TexasTJ — Got a replacement in-mind, or just a general ‘throw-em-out’ as a strategy?
It won’t be a MAX. Their are not ETOPS certified at AA and it isn’t worth the expense of putting them in the ETOPS program -and any other modifications that may be needed- for a single route. it would be more cost effective to utilize the A321 fleet.