Icelandair: Is a One Hour Layover at Iceland's Keflavík International Airport (KEF) Long Enough?
Whether you’re flying Icelandair for Iceland or transferring to a European destination, you’ll absolutely be passing through Iceland's Keflavík International Airport (KEF), and some flights have incredibly short layovers. Here’s what to know.
Icelandair: Is a One Hour Layover at Iceland's Keflavík International Airport (KEF) Long Enough?
One of the biggest risks in booking an Icelandair flight to Europe is the relatively microscopic layover time at Iceland’s Reykjavik Keflavik Airport (KEF). This layover can be as short as one hour in duration.
I’ve traveled enough to admit that having only an hour to enter the Schengen area from the USA could be seen as a risky pursuit. The inherent risks of air travel (delays at the origin, change in connection, slow deplaning, etc.) can make an hour to transit seem downright unfeasible. That said, the Icelandair layover actually works well and KEF is an extremely streamlined operation.
What is the Shenghen Area?
The Schengen Area is a group of 27 European countries that have removed internal border checks. After entering through one Schengen country, you can travel between the others without showing your passport again. For U.S. visitors, it works like one shared travel zone with a single visa and entry.
Small in Size, But Big on Destinations
Iceland Reykjavik Keflavik Airport (KEF). Image: Ben Schmidt.
First of all, KEF airport itself is small. There are no separate terminals or distant hikes to contend with. Depending on your destination, you either go upstairs or downstairs. That’s it. The other aspect is the reality of where you are geographically and the flag carrier. Icelandair basically has a monopoly on the gates here. With a relatively light schedule and smaller, single-aisle planes, you’re not going to be finding miles of people entering the Schengen Area via Iceland.
Zone System at KEF
Flights to and from the US, UK, Ireland, and Canada go through D gates, located on level 1. Flights to and from Europe (except the UK and Ireland) go through gates A or C, located on level 2. Walking from the gates in zones A or C to those in zone D takes approximately 20 minutes.
Luggage is Checked Through to the Final Destination: No Re-check!
Björk quote on a window at Iceland Reykjavik Keflavik Airport (KEF). Image: Ben Schmidt.
Unless you somehow booked separate tickets, your luggage is checked to the destination. Unless you’re flying somewhere in domestic Iceland, your flight will depart from the terminal you arrived in. There are bathrooms. There is food but you will need your boarding pass in hand to pay for many of the services.
You’re also going to have the luxury of Icelandair being able to hold flights slightly if your arrival is delayed (and you flew Icelandair). This scenario happened to me on my return flight, but the flight attendant on my first flight assured me I’d make my flight (and my luggage as well). Each way, my customs clearance took all but thirty seconds (and the staff spoke impeccable English).
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So, if you have the slightest bit of self-awareness and know which gate area to go to (either in the Schengen Area or outside of the Schengen Area), an hour layover at KEF will be plenty for you. Icelandair has a lot to lose if they mess up the art of this short layover.
