Icelandair Business Class review

Saga Premium is Icelandair's premium cabin, the one travelers search for as Icelandair business class. Icelandair calls it its premium cabin class, and its fare rules treat it as business class when other airlines are on the same ticket. It launched in 1984 as Saga Class and took its current name in 2018.

The seat is a recliner on every aircraft in 2026, so it is best compared with US domestic first class rather than lie-flat transatlantic Business. Icelandair has not announced a lie-flat seat. Its 13 Airbus A321XLRs are due from 2029 with no cabin announced yet, and the airline is not adding widebodies: from January 2027 every passenger flight uses narrowbody A321LR and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

There is no separate premium economy cabin. Economy Comfort was discontinued in 2018, so the choice is economy or Saga Premium.

The A321LR is the newest Saga Premium cabin: 22 seats in six 2-2 rows, Geven Comoda recliners with leg rests, footrests and headrest privacy wings, 42 to 43 inches of pitch, 16-inch Panasonic Astrova screens and AC and USB-C power. From May 2026 Icelandair flies it to New York JFK and Newark, and also to Portland and Miami. All 22 seats share one forward lavatory.

The Boeing 737 MAX is now the bulk of the fleet, with 21 aircraft: Saga Premium is 2-2 with 40 inches of pitch, a footrest, a seatback screen and a power socket at every seat, and 16 seats on the MAX 8. Seattle is mostly flown by the MAX 8.

The Boeing 757-200 and 767-300ER retire in early January 2027. In North America the 767, with a 2-1-2 recliner cabin, now flies only Boston, with its last departure on January 5, 2027; this winter the 757 flies only in Europe.

Year-round, Icelandair flies to Keflavik from Baltimore/Washington, Boston, Chicago O'Hare, Denver, New York JFK, Newark, Orlando, Portland (Oregon), Raleigh-Durham, Seattle and Washington Dulles, plus Toronto and Vancouver in Canada. Miami runs from October 24, 2026 to May 11, 2027, Minneapolis and Nashville pause for part of the winter, and Pittsburgh flies from May to October. There are no non-stops from California or Texas.

Flights are short: about 5 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours from New York JFK, 5 to 6 hours from Boston, about 6 hours from Chicago, about 7 hours 15 minutes from Denver and about 7.5 hours from Seattle and Portland. From Keflavik, Icelandair connects to about 26 European cities year-round and 12 more seasonally, including a new winter route to Tromso from October 23, 2026.

On a transatlantic Icelandair trip you can stop in Iceland at no additional airfare, in either direction. Saga Premium and Economy Standard allow up to 7 nights, the Flex fares up to 21 nights and Economy Light up to 3 nights. Stays of up to 7 nights can be booked online; 8 to 21 nights on a Flex fare goes through Icelandair's service center, and we can build it into your quote.

The Saga Lounge at Keflavik sits on the upper floor between concourses A and C, with views over the Reykjanes peninsula, showers, a family area and refreshments. Saga Premium tickets booked since April 1, 2025 include this lounge only; Saga Premium Flex adds lounges at other airports where available.

Both Saga fares include priority check-in and boarding, Fast Track security where available, a set menu (three courses on North America flights), included drinks, pillows, blankets, a headset and free Wi-Fi for two devices. Wi-Fi supports streaming on the A321LR and 737 MAX; on the 757 and 767 it is browsing and email grade. Amenity kits are now on demand from a menu.

Saga Premium booked from August 10, 2026 includes one checked bag of 32 kg (70 lb) and paid seat selection, with a free seat assigned at check-in. Saga Premium Flex includes two 32 kg bags, seat selection, no change fee (a fare difference may apply) and a refund option.

Icelandair is not in an alliance. Its loyalty program is Saga Club, and its partners include Alaska Airlines and JetBlue, whose members can earn on Icelandair flights; Alaska Atmos Rewards awards on Icelandair are economy only, and no major US bank points program transfers to Saga Club. Most Saga Premium travelers therefore pay cash.

Economy Standard and Economy Flex passengers can bid for Saga Premium through Class Up, with the invitation about 10 days before travel. An airport upgrade is also sold on a single flight when seats are free, but it does not include the Saga meal.