Icelandair has announced the suspension of its flights to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, effective January 2026. This decision follows a trend of declining travel between Europe and the United States. The final flight to Detroit will take place on January 6, 2025, marking the end of a route that has struggled to gain traction since its inception.
This route was introduced in 2023 as a seasonal service but saw an extension into the winter months in 2024, which continued through 2025. Unfortunately, the airline has now removed services to Detroit from its schedules, and it is no longer bookable on its website. Icelandair previously operated this route up to five times a week during peak summer months but reduced frequencies to three or four flights in the winter.
Performance Insights and Load Factors
The decision to discontinue the Detroit route can be attributed, in part, to its underwhelming performance. While the route saw reasonable demand, it was not as strong as other destinations in Icelandair’s network, such as Minneapolis-St. Paul, Orlando, and Seattle. According to data from the US Department of Transportation for 2024, the Detroit route was the second-weakest in terms of load factors, trailing only Pittsburgh.
In 2024, the average load factor for the Detroit route was approximately 74%, with summer months performing better, often exceeding 80% occupancy. Despite this, the winter months presented challenges that ultimately influenced Icelandair’s decision. The airline’s average load factors for its top-performing routes were significantly higher, with Minneapolis at 87%, Orlando at 86%, and Seattle at 85%.
Future of Icelandair’s US Operations
Despite the setback in Detroit, Icelandair’s overall operations in the United States are expanding. For 2024, the airline plans to offer over 1,000,000 seats each way to various US destinations, marking an 8% increase from the previous year. This growth is largely driven by the addition of Nashville to its network and increased frequencies on popular routes.
The introduction of larger aircraft on flights to Orlando, Denver, and Seattle is also contributing to this capacity expansion. Icelandair has plans to continue expanding its US destinations, especially with the arrival of new Airbus A321LR and A321XLR aircraft. The airline’s North American Director previously indicated several potential new routes in Texas and California, reflecting a commitment to enhancing its presence in the US market.
While the suspension of the Detroit route signifies a recalibration for Icelandair, the airline’s ability to adapt and grow in other areas demonstrates its resilience and strategic vision for the future.
