Icelandair Makes Pittsburgh Debut

At 7:16 p.m. May 16, Icelandair’s first nonstop flight between Reykjavik, Iceland, and Pittsburgh touched down on Pittsburgh International Airport’s Runway 32 under clear afternoon skies.

“Icelandair 831… welcome to Pittsburgh,” PIT Air Traffic Control transmitted to the flight crew as the aircraft exited the runway.

Upon landing, the flight taxied to gate C55 and a huge gate party with passengers, airport staff and Icelandair representatives celebrating Pittsburgh’s newest airline and nonstop flight to Europe. The celebration included a Northern Lights-themed cake, an ice sculpture of an Icelandair plane, balloons and free Iceland-themed giveaways.

PIT and travelers also celebrated Icelandair throughout the week in the Airside Center Core with cutouts of Icelandic horses and glaciers, a balloon wall of the Icelandic flag, a prize wheel, cookies and PIT-themed swag items.

Icelandair’s inaugural flight marked the return of nonstop flights between Pittsburgh and Iceland for the first time in over five years. The route was last served by start-up WOW Air between June 2017 and January 2019.

“We hope that this will make it easier for the people of Pennsylvania to visit our beautiful island, enjoy its nature and get to know our culture,” said Icelandair Chief Commercial Officer Tomas Ingason, who arrived on the inaugural flight from Reykjavik.