Often referred to as the “Land of Fire and Ice” due to its combination of glaciers and volcanoes, the nordic island country of Iceland, nestled between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, boasts stunningly dramatic landscapes, breathtaking geothermal activity (hellooo northern lights!), and unique culture, language, folklore, and cuisine. And now, New Yorkers can fly there directly for less than $300!
JetBlue recently announced its biggest sale of the year, offering 25% off flights across top destinations, and though this travel itinerary isn’t technically part of the sale, you would think it was with how affordable it is!
Flights from NYC to Reykjavik, Iceland
The airline is currently offering a few direct flights from NYC to Reykjavik, Iceland, for surprisingly low prices. But one in particular we have our eye on is a nonstop flight that departs JFK on Monday, August 4th at 8:25 pm and arrives at Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF) the next morning on Tuesday, August 5th at 6:15 am. The flight is operated by Icelandair and costs just $276!
To compare, the typical round-trip price from NYC to Iceland is around $565, so you’d be saving $289.
Other options in a similar price range are as follows:
- Departing Tuesday, 8/5 – $348
- Departing Wednesday, 8/6 – $388
What to do in Iceland
Although Iceland is pretty small population wise–just under 400,000–it covers a total area of 39,768 square miles, making it the world’s 18th largest island and the 2nd largest in Europe after Great Britain. Fun fact: Iceland is significantly larger than New York City, and 1,754 times larger than Manhattan.
One of the dreamiest Nordic countries, Iceland is known for many things: expansive glaciers, shimmering northern lights, hot springs and geysers, vast volcanic landscapes and black sand beaches, puffins, and an overall vibrant culture and viking history.
Being Iceland’s coastline is around 3,700 miles long, many visitors love to drive along Ring Road, also known as Route 1, which circles the entire island of Iceland. Ring Road connects most of the inhabited areas of the country and is a popular route for exploring the country’s diverse landscapes. While it can be driven in about 17 hours non-stop, most spend at least a week to explore the attractions along the way.
One of Iceland’s most popular destinations is the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa known for its milky blue water and relaxing atmosphere. Blue Lagoon was named one of National Geographic’s 25 Wonders of the World in 2012, and the Retreat at Blue Lagoon was included in Time Magazine’s list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places in 2018. Additionally, the Blue Lagoon’s Moss Restaurant has earned a Michelin star.
Other popular choices include exploring the Golden Circle route, witnessing at the Northern Lights, embarking on whale watching tours, walking across glaciers, exploring Reykjavik’s vibrant city life, hiking to volcanic craters like Kerid, and marveling at black sand beaches.
The “Safest Place to Travel in 2025”
Beyond being a stunning place to explore, Iceland was named the safest place to travel in 2025 by North American-based travel insurance company Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. Particularly, the ranking pointed out that Iceland only one major road and it’s never crowded, so it’s certainly safe when it comes to traffic accidents.
Travel Authorizations to Know Before Flying
Before booking your flight, it’s important to know about the many rules surrounding international travel to ensure nothing interferes with your plans. Be sure you have this special travel authorization and familiarize yourself with the 90/180-day rule before hopping on your flight.