Utilizing Iceland as a transit hub for transatlantic travel offers potentially lower fares to various European destinations. This strategy often involves booking separate tickets: one from the point of origin to Keflavk International Airport (KEF) and another from KEF to the final European destination. This approach may require a longer travel time due to layovers but can provide significant cost savings, particularly for travelers originating in North America.
The geographic location of Iceland makes it a practical stopover point between North America and Europe. Airlines like Icelandair often promote these layovers, sometimes offering extended stopovers of several days without additional airfare charges, allowing travelers to explore Iceland. This approach can be particularly advantageous during off-season travel or when booking well in advance. Historically, utilizing Iceland as a hub has been a less common practice, becoming more popular with the rise of budget airlines and increased awareness of stopover options.