Flight Delayed or Cancelled in Iceland? What to Do, Your Rights and Your Transfer

Most flights to and from Keflavík International Airport (KEF) run on time. But Iceland sits in the middle of the North Atlantic, and strong winds, snowstorms and, very occasionally, volcanic activity can delay or cancel flights. Knowing what to do saves a lot of stress, money and time.

This guide explains what to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled, the passenger rights that usually apply, and what happens to your airport transfer.

In short

• Most common cause: strong wind and winter storms, mainly from November to March.
• Your rights: EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to flights departing from Iceland, because Iceland is part of the EEA, and to EU and EEA airlines flying into Iceland.
• Care: during long delays, airlines must usually offer meals, drinks and, if needed, a hotel, whatever the cause.
• Compensation: possible for long delays and late cancellations, but usually not when the cause is extraordinary, such as severe weather.
• Your transfer with us: your driver checks your flight before leaving for the airport and adjusts to the new landing time; you also get 45 minutes of free waiting after landing.

Your flight to Iceland is delayed

If you have booked a private transfer, the most important thing is that we know your flight number. Add it when you book. Before leaving for the airport, your driver checks your flight and plans the pick-up around the real landing time, not the scheduled one.

• Short delay: nothing to do. Your driver adjusts, and the 45 minutes of free waiting start when your plane lands.
• Long delay or a change of flight: send us a WhatsApp message at +354 777 3949 with the new flight number or time, so we can plan the right driver.
• Diverted flight: occasionally flights land at another airport, such as Akureyri or Egilsstaðir, because of the weather. Message us and we will look at the options with you.

Your flight to Iceland is cancelled

If your flight is cancelled before you travel, the airline will rebook you or refund your ticket. Tell us your new flight details as soon as you have them. Our free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before pick-up, and in most cases we simply move the transfer to your new arrival time.

Your flight from Iceland is delayed or cancelled

Departure delays are where good planning matters most, because you may already be on the way to the airport.

1. Check your flight before your pick-up time. Airlines send messages and update their apps; the airport website shows the live departures board.
2. Contact us if the time changes. If your flight is delayed by several hours before you leave the hotel, we can move your pick-up to a later time.
3. At the airport, stay close to your airline's information. Ask the airline staff about meals and accommodation for long delays.
4. If the flight is cancelled and you need a hotel, the airline should arrange or pay for it. If you need to travel between the airport and a hotel in Reykjanesbær or Reykjavík, we can drive you.

Your passenger rights in Iceland (EU 261)

Because Iceland is part of the European Economic Area, EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to all flights departing from Iceland, and to flights into Iceland operated by EU or EEA airlines. In broad terms:

• Right to care: during long delays, the airline must offer meals and refreshments, and a hotel and transport if you need to stay overnight. This applies even when the delay is caused by weather.
• Rebooking or refund: if your flight is cancelled, you can usually choose between a refund and a new flight to your destination.
• Compensation: you may be entitled to a fixed amount, depending on the flight distance, if you reach your final destination three hours or more late or your flight is cancelled at short notice, unless the airline can show extraordinary circumstances.
• Extraordinary circumstances: severe weather, air traffic control restrictions and volcanic ash normally count as extraordinary, so compensation is often not paid for weather delays, even though the right to care still applies.

The details depend on your exact situation, so check your airline's information and the official EU passenger rights pages. Keep all receipts for meals and other costs during a delay.

Winter weather and flights

From November to March, deep low-pressure systems can bring storms with very strong winds. Airlines and the airport are used to this, and most delays are a few hours. A few practical habits help:

• Do not plan a tight connection or an important appointment for the day you fly to or from Iceland in winter.
• Leave one buffer night at the end of the trip if you have a critical onward flight.
• Follow the weather warnings from the Icelandic Met Office and the road information on umferdin.is before you leave for the airport.
• Travel insurance that covers delays and missed connections is worth having for a winter trip.

For more on winter roads, read our guide to the Keflavík airport transfer in winter.

How we handle delays

• Fixed price per car, not per person, agreed before you travel
• Economy (Tesla) for 1 to 4 passengers, Van (Mercedes Vito) for 5 to 7, minibus for 8 to 16 on request
• Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and checks your flight before leaving
• 45 minutes of free waiting at the airport
• Pay 20% to book and the rest in the car by card or cash, or pay everything online
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up

We have been driving travellers around Iceland for ten years, and we go everywhere in the country, not only to Reykjavík. Delays are part of the job: we know the airport, the road and the weather, and we would rather wait for you than leave you at the airport.

FAQ

What happens to my transfer if my flight to Iceland is delayed?

Do I pay extra if my flight is late?

My flight was cancelled. Can I change my transfer?

Does EU 261 apply to flights from Iceland?

Do I get compensation for a weather delay in Iceland?

How common are flight delays at Keflavík?

What should I do if my flight home is cancelled?

Can my flight land somewhere else in Iceland?