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Trip Report: Iceland Air Saga Class – Affordable way to fly transatlantic in business class
Photo album to my complete European trip in February 2016:
http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Ca...ebruary%202016
As I was planning this round the world trip, I had thought about using my American Airlines miles for a transatlantic flight, but given how high the fuel surcharge was on BA, I really think I didn’t want to waste any miles on these rather typical transatlantic flights. In terms of paid fares, one way trip is rather expensive especially ex-USA, so I narrow my choice to Iceland Air and Norwegian Air International, which both offer a more premium economy than business class product, but they are both affordable. Norwegian is $200 cheaper than Iceland Air, but I choose Iceland Air in the end because of its better on time performance and I can earn Alaska Airlines miles. I settle on a one-way $830 ticket from JFK to Copenhagen via Keflavik. Iceland Air definitely has some nice branding and I love all those small quotes in various products, everything from blanket to the sugar packet. Given the price, I don’t expect much, but in the end, I am rather disappointed because the planes are very tired-looking with tiny issues with various functions of the seats, such as broken reading light to power port. For both flights, there is something wrong with either the seat or the personal TV. The catering on the overnight flight from the USA to Iceland was really disappointing, not to mention the lack of choices. Pre-order is definitely recommended. The only saving grace is its on time performance and the easy transit at Keflavik International Airport.
February 19, 2016
FI 614 JFK-CPH Lv2000 Arr0645+1 Boeing 757-300 Winglet TF-FIX “Hengill”
British Airways’ staffs conducted check-in for Iceland Air, and there are separate lanes for Saga Class, Economy Comfort, Economy, and Baggage Drop. The agent was very cheerful and efficient, and my inquiry about the load returned with a full flight in both Saga and Business Comfort, but economy class is not too full. I was given a written paper pass for the British Airways Galleries lounge, and TSA security lanes were busy, but not too bad.
No pictures of the BA Galleries lounge at JFK, as it is widely discussed in various aviation forums. The lounge was busy as usual, but I manage to find a seat. Clam Chowder and Tomato Basil were the soups of the day, along with the usual sandwiches, and light snacks. Iceland Air Saga Class passengers are not invited to the pre-flight supper, which is really not a surprise, and IMHO, you also do not miss much!
Iceland Air currently owns one Boeing 757-300 Winglet and TF-FIX was in maintenance for the past month or so. It had only been returned to duty for a week when I took the flight. The plane basically served the JFK flights along with European duties in between the JFK runs – Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Brussels will feature this long 757. As most of you know, JFK Terminal Seven is really not good for photography, so no pictures of the plane at all.
But each Iceland Air plane has a name, and TF-FIX is named “Hengill”.
Boarding began early at 7:10pm, and business class, along with economy comfort, passengers got to board first. Unlike in Keflavik, priority boarding was enforced, and passengers from economy were kindly asked to step aside. I managed a few cabin shots of the business class cabin before the crowd arrived.
As you can note, Iceland Air’s Saga class seats are similar to North American domestic first class seats on narrowbody planes, but with tiny bit of more legroom and recline. As you have noticed that there is a movable curtain in the Saga business class cabin. In order to maximize profits, Iceland Air will place economy comfort (premium economy) passengers on extra Saga Class seats, and then I presume that they can free up some economy class seats. For the airline, it is definitely a smart move, but from a Saga Class passengers’ point of view, I am not sure if Saga Class is worth that extra money if I can get the same seats when I fly economy comfort. Sure, I will not get a hot meal, but catering in Saga class especially on the overnight flights are pretty unimpressive. Given how economy class is rather light in loading on my flight, I see little reason for Iceland Air to use part of the Saga Class cabin for economy comfort. Saga Class is full with 14 passengers, but if we have the whole cabin, we can spread out comfortably.
The seat itself is rather comfortable for a short four to five hours flight. Recline was sufficient and I was able to sleep through the flight. There is a power outlet at each seat, but unfortunately, my iPhone power plug will not stay plugged into the outlet. Given how this plane is fresh from the maintenance, it was disappointing.
Legroom shot for bulkhead seats – not very good at 1AC – I recommend 2DF!
Cute Disposal Bag
Photo album to my complete European trip in February 2016:
http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Ca...ebruary%202016
As I was planning this round the world trip, I had thought about using my American Airlines miles for a transatlantic flight, but given how high the fuel surcharge was on BA, I really think I didn’t want to waste any miles on these rather typical transatlantic flights. In terms of paid fares, one way trip is rather expensive especially ex-USA, so I narrow my choice to Iceland Air and Norwegian Air International, which both offer a more premium economy than business class product, but they are both affordable. Norwegian is $200 cheaper than Iceland Air, but I choose Iceland Air in the end because of its better on time performance and I can earn Alaska Airlines miles. I settle on a one-way $830 ticket from JFK to Copenhagen via Keflavik. Iceland Air definitely has some nice branding and I love all those small quotes in various products, everything from blanket to the sugar packet. Given the price, I don’t expect much, but in the end, I am rather disappointed because the planes are very tired-looking with tiny issues with various functions of the seats, such as broken reading light to power port. For both flights, there is something wrong with either the seat or the personal TV. The catering on the overnight flight from the USA to Iceland was really disappointing, not to mention the lack of choices. Pre-order is definitely recommended. The only saving grace is its on time performance and the easy transit at Keflavik International Airport.
February 19, 2016
FI 614 JFK-CPH Lv2000 Arr0645+1 Boeing 757-300 Winglet TF-FIX “Hengill”
British Airways’ staffs conducted check-in for Iceland Air, and there are separate lanes for Saga Class, Economy Comfort, Economy, and Baggage Drop. The agent was very cheerful and efficient, and my inquiry about the load returned with a full flight in both Saga and Business Comfort, but economy class is not too full. I was given a written paper pass for the British Airways Galleries lounge, and TSA security lanes were busy, but not too bad.
No pictures of the BA Galleries lounge at JFK, as it is widely discussed in various aviation forums. The lounge was busy as usual, but I manage to find a seat. Clam Chowder and Tomato Basil were the soups of the day, along with the usual sandwiches, and light snacks. Iceland Air Saga Class passengers are not invited to the pre-flight supper, which is really not a surprise, and IMHO, you also do not miss much!
Iceland Air currently owns one Boeing 757-300 Winglet and TF-FIX was in maintenance for the past month or so. It had only been returned to duty for a week when I took the flight. The plane basically served the JFK flights along with European duties in between the JFK runs – Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Brussels will feature this long 757. As most of you know, JFK Terminal Seven is really not good for photography, so no pictures of the plane at all.
But each Iceland Air plane has a name, and TF-FIX is named “Hengill”.
Boarding began early at 7:10pm, and business class, along with economy comfort, passengers got to board first. Unlike in Keflavik, priority boarding was enforced, and passengers from economy were kindly asked to step aside. I managed a few cabin shots of the business class cabin before the crowd arrived.
As you can note, Iceland Air’s Saga class seats are similar to North American domestic first class seats on narrowbody planes, but with tiny bit of more legroom and recline. As you have noticed that there is a movable curtain in the Saga business class cabin. In order to maximize profits, Iceland Air will place economy comfort (premium economy) passengers on extra Saga Class seats, and then I presume that they can free up some economy class seats. For the airline, it is definitely a smart move, but from a Saga Class passengers’ point of view, I am not sure if Saga Class is worth that extra money if I can get the same seats when I fly economy comfort. Sure, I will not get a hot meal, but catering in Saga class especially on the overnight flights are pretty unimpressive. Given how economy class is rather light in loading on my flight, I see little reason for Iceland Air to use part of the Saga Class cabin for economy comfort. Saga Class is full with 14 passengers, but if we have the whole cabin, we can spread out comfortably.
The seat itself is rather comfortable for a short four to five hours flight. Recline was sufficient and I was able to sleep through the flight. There is a power outlet at each seat, but unfortunately, my iPhone power plug will not stay plugged into the outlet. Given how this plane is fresh from the maintenance, it was disappointing.
Legroom shot for bulkhead seats – not very good at 1AC – I recommend 2DF!
Cute Disposal Bag
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