How to Check-in for Your Icelandair Flight: A Comprehensive Guide for a Smoother Experience

Written By Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated: November 04, 2024

If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, chances are you’ll be flying with Icelandair. The flag carrier for Iceland has seen considerable growth in recent months. In fact, Aerotime reports that in September 2024, the airline carried roughly 458,000 passengers in that month alone - a 10% increase compared to last year.

In that same month, Icelandair also managed to achieve an 86.6% on-time performance rating, making it one of the most punctual carriers in Europe! While their performance is steadily improving, some passengers might want to know how easy it is to check-in for their flights. In this guide, we’ll explain it all, so you can have the most seamless pre-flight experience possible.

Did you know you might be eligible for up to €600 in compensation?Enter your flight details below and see how much you could claim.Free Flight Checker

Why the Check-in Process Matters

Have you ever wondered why you just can’t go through security and board your flight? It’s reasonable to question why you can’t just do everything you would at check-in at the gate instead.

Here’s why the check-in process is important.

1. It lets Icelandair know that you still plan to fly at that particular date and time
2. Airlines can handle any government, visa, and documentation issues 
3. Carriers need to know the passenger count to be able to plan for fuel usage as well as weight and balance
4. It provides and organised way to check baggage
5. It gives passengers the opportunity to select seats and obtain a boarding pass to get through security.

So, in order to complete the process, you’ll need to have the following documents and information:

1. A valid Icelandair ticket and reference number
2. Your passport or ID card 
3. Visa documents as needed for international travel

Icelandair Online Check-in

You can check-in online or on the Icelandair mobile app 24 hours before departure for all destinations. Icelandair check-in closes 1 hour before departure, so if you plan to check baggage, be sure to arrive at the airport early enough to complete the process at the counter or at the self-serve kiosks.

Knowing when check-in closes is vitally important as you can see from this August 2024 passenger review from walkabout00001 on Tripadvisor:

Check-in for trips to and from Reykjavik was very disappointing. On the trip to Reykjavik, the check-in counter closed an hour before the flight time, and there was absolutely no instruction to travellers who arrived late.

If you only have hand baggage (carry-on luggage) and you check in online, then you don’t have to go through airport check-in. As long as you have a printed or digital boarding pass, you can go directly through security.

Make sure you check-in on time! If you don’t you could be denied boarding as a result.

Go to Icelandair on-line check-in, and simply enter your LAST NAME and BOOKING REFERENCE NUMBER to begin. Then, follow the prompts to choose your seat(s), add baggage options, and other in-flight amenities.

This process will be the same if you check-in on the Icelandair mobile app.

Both methods will allow you to either print your boarding pass or download it to your mobile device.

Who can’t check-in online or on the app?

• Passengers requiring extra assistance
• Passengers travelling with pets
• Anyone travelling with a lap baby
• Children travelling alone without an adult

If you fit into any of these categories, you’ll have to complete check-in at the airport counter.

The earlier you complete online check-in the better, but you’ll need to figure out the exact timeframe for doing so as it can be different depending on the airport.

Airport Check-in: Counters & Kiosks

If you plan to check your baggage or complete the entire process at the airport, be sure to arrive early enough to allow for this as both counters and kiosks close 1 hour before departure. 

Icelandair recommends that you arrive at minimum 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights, at least 90 minutes before take-off on flights to Greenland, and if you are departing from Keflavik airport, you should complete check-in at least 2 hours before final boarding call.

How early should you get to the airport?

• Domestic and European flights: Arrive 2 hours prior to your flight time
• International flights outside Europe: Arrive 3 hours before your flight
• Flights to the USA: Arrive 4 hours before departure because of the more stringent security measures and extra documentation required.

Checking-in on an Icelandair kiosk

Kiosks are a great way to save time at the airport, especially if you have to check your bags. You can check-in online and get your boarding pass and bag tags from the kiosk, or you can use them to complete the entire process. Be advised that not every airport will have kiosks.

Airports with Icelandair Kiosks

Tips to Make the Check-in Process Easier

1. Download the Icelandair app. It’s useful for checking-in and a lot more!
2. Don’t delay. Check-in early and allow for extra time at the airport. 
3. Download your mobile boarding pass to your phone’s wallet but also print a copy as a backup.
4. Pack all your travel documents together and keep them close to hand in a special bag or pocket of your carry-on or hand baggage. This will make the airport check-in process faster and more efficient.

Has your Icelandair flight been cancelled or delayed? You could be eligible for up to €600 in airline compensation. Enter your flight details in our free compensation calculator to see how much you could receive!