Icelandair operates three modern aircraft types with varying cabin configurations across transatlantic and regional routes. Whether you're flying business or economy, understanding seat layouts and positioning can significantly enhance your comfort on long-haul flights to Iceland.
Icelandair's 737 MAX features 2-2 business seating with 40-inch pitch, while the 767-300ER offers 2-1-2 business configuration with center solo seats perfect for solo travelers. Book forward cabin rows on MAX aircraft (seats 2-4) or center seats 2B-5B on the 767 for optimal comfort. Avoid rear economy sections and note that 737 MAX 9 row 24 lacks window seats.
Icelandair's business cabin varies by aircraft. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 feature a 2-2 configuration with 16 seats each, offering 40-inch pitch and 20.5-inch width. The Boeing 767-300ER provides superior spacing with 25 business seats in a 2-1-2 layout, featuring exclusive center solo seats that appeal to traveling professionals. All business cabins maintain 40-inch pitch for comfortable sleeping. No privacy doors are available across the fleet.
Icelandair offers premium economy seating on select aircraft, providing enhanced comfort between standard economy and business class with improved pitch and amenities.
Economy seating differs by aircraft type. The 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 feature standard 3-3 configuration, while the 767-300ER offers wider 2-3-2 seating. The 767-300ER economy comfort seats provide 33-inch pitch for enhanced legroom. Exit row seats offer additional space but come with restrictions. Standard economy pitch on MAX aircraft is not specified by Icelandair.
Seat | Cabin | Aircraft | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
2A, 2F, 3A, 3F, 4A, 4F | Business | 737 MAX 8 | Forward cabin positioning with optimal galley proximity and minimal noise |
1A, 1F | Business | 737 MAX 9 | Bulkhead seats with maximum privacy and forward cabin advantage |
2B, 3B, 4B, 5B | Business | 767-300ER | Center solo seats ideal for solo travelers with aisle access from both sides |
14-15 | Economy | 737 MAX 8 | Exit row seats with significantly increased legroom |
13A, 13F | Economy | 737 MAX 9 | Exit row window seats combining legroom with window access |
Seat | Cabin | Aircraft | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
24A, 24F | Economy | 737 MAX 9 | Rear row lacking window seats despite window row positioning |
Rear economy rows | Economy | All aircraft | Proximity to lavatories and galleys creates noise and odor disruptions |
On both 737 MAX variants, tray tables are noticeably compact and wobble under sustained 15-inch laptop weight - use a small foam pad underneath to stabilize. Icelandair's WiFi network broadcasts as "Icelandair" with real-world download speeds of 2 - 4 Mbps on the 737s and slightly better 4 - 6 Mbps on the 767-300ER during light traffic; streaming is unreliable. Power outlets are absent on 737 MAX 8/9 Economy; Business Class has USB-A (2.4A, ~12W) at each seat; the 767-300ER offers USB-A throughout all cabins with no AC outlets. IFE screens measure 10.6 inches on the 737 MAX fleet and 9 inches on the 767; Bluetooth audio pairing is not supported on any Icelandair aircraft - use wired headphones only.
All three aircraft maintain a cabin altitude of approximately 7,200 - 7,500 feet, with humidity typically 10 - 15% on routes exceeding 2 hours. The 737 MAX engines (CFM LEAP-1B) produce moderate turbofan noise that peaks in rows 15 - 22 of the 737 MAX 8/9, while the 767-300ER's PW4062 engines are noticeably louder in Economy aft of row 28. Rows 3 - 5 in Business Class across all three aircraft are acoustically superior due to proximity to the wing leading edge and isolation from galley activity; Economy travelers should target rows 6 - 9 on the 737s for a 3 - 4 dB reduction versus the rear cabin.
Icelandair deplanes through door L1 (forward main deck) for all cabin classes on 737 MAX variants and the 767-300ER; a single-door operation means sequential cabin exit. On a full 737 MAX 9 flight (186 passengers), expect 12 - 14 minutes for Business Class (rows 1 - 8) and 18 - 22 minutes for rear Economy (rows 28 - 33); the 767-300ER with 261 total seats requires approximately 16 - 20 minutes for full deplaning. Minimum comfortable connection time at Icelandair's Keflavík hub is 50 minutes domestic, 90 minutes for Schengen onward connections, and 120 minutes for non-Schengen; tighter windows incur real risk of missed luggage integration.
Seat recommendation: On westbound overnight flights (Reykjavík to North America), book 2A or 2B (Business Class window/aisle) on the 767-300ER for the solo center seat option (2C) if traveling alone, or rows 7 - 9 on the 737 MAX 8/9 (forward Economy with extra legroom and reduced cabin restlessness). Meal strategy: Accept the light dinner service on departure to reset your stomach; skip breakfast 60 - 90 minutes before landing to minimize bloating and digestive discomfort on arrival. Sleep accessories: Bring a neck pillow (the 40-inch Business Class pitch is tight) and noise-canceling earpods; skip eye masks as cabin lighting is dim enough after service. Arrival optimization: Request an aisle seat if booked center/window, eat only protein and avoid caffeine after dinner service, and set your phone to the destination timezone immediately upon boarding to anchor your circadian rhythm.
The Boeing 767-300ER offers superior comfort with its 2-1-2 business layout and wider 2-3-2 economy configuration. However, the 737 MAX models are newer with modern amenities and are perfectly adequate for transatlantic flights.
No, Icelandair's business cabins across all aircraft types do not include privacy doors. However, the 2-2 configuration on MAX aircraft and center seats on the 767 provide reasonable privacy.
Business class offers 40-inch pitch, while economy comfort on the 767-300ER provides 33-inch pitch. Standard economy pitch on MAX aircraft is not publicly specified.
No, the 737 MAX features a 2-2 business configuration with only aisle and window seats. The 767-300ER's 2-1-2 layout offers exclusive center solo seats.
Yes, exit rows provide substantially more legroom in economy. However, they come with restrictions on recline and may have limited under-seat storage due to emergency equipment.
