Today, Icelandair, announces the addition of their newest gateway, St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), opening flights and connections from The Gateway to the West to Iceland and beyond.

These non-stop flights to Iceland from St. Louis (STL) will operate using a Boeing 737 MAX 8, up to four times a week from May 14 to October 24, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays and offer the Midwest connections to more than 35 destinations in Europe.

“We’re very pleased to add St. Louis to our network next summer. St. Louis is an exciting addition, particularly in light of our growing partnership with Southwest Airlines, which will create convenient connections between destinations across North America, Iceland, and Europe. The addition supports the continued development of our route network and strengthens the range of options available to our customers. We look forward to welcoming St. Louis aboard” said Tomas Ingason, Icelandair’s Chief Commercial Officer.

“Over the last few years, the St. Louis County Port Authority has been working tirelessly to connect St. Louis to key international partners,” said Ambassador Kevin F. O’Malley, chair of the St. Louis County Port Authority. “Just like with our other new international flights, we feel this new connection to Iceland will bring new opportunities to our region and will continue to show the world that St. Louis truly is a global city.”

Known as the “Gateway to the West,” St. Louis is defined by its location on the Mississippi River and its role in the westward expansion of the United States. Its most recognizable landmark is the Gateway Arch, which rises 630 feet, or 192 meters, above the riverfront and offers sweeping views of the city and surrounding region. The new route will not only provide North American travelers more options to Europe but will also further open the Midwest to business, trade, and tourism for European travelers.

“Having Icelandair as the latest international carrier to begin service at St. Louis Lambert International Airport shows that St. Louis is truly a global destination,” said St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer.

“Not only does this new air service provide our region with another option across the Atlantic, it also gives us one more way to roll out the welcome mat to our growing friends in Europe. And with these visitors we welcome the ability to showcase our great city and all it has to offer, be it for business or pleasure.”

St. Louis also has a rich cultural and musical heritage, with deep connections to blues, ragtime, jazz, and early rock and roll. Visitors can experience the city’s renowned baseball culture at a St. Louis Cardinals game, explore the historic Anheuser-Busch brewery, or discover the City Museum, an imaginative maze of tunnels, slides, sculptures, and repurposed architectural objects

“This flight goes both ways. Our residents gain a direct connection to Iceland, and their travelers gain an easy way to discover St. Louis,” said St. Louis County Executive Sam Page. “This is one more big win for the St. Louis region, expanding international travel and economic opportunity.”

“St. Louis is gaining real momentum as an international gateway, and Icelandair’s new nonstop service is an exciting step forward,” said Brad Dean, President and CEO of Explore St. Louis.

“Travelers from Iceland and beyond will have an easier path to experience our region, while local businesses and the people who power our visitor economy will benefit. This connection reflects the hard work and shared ambition of the team at St. Louis Lambert International Airport and partners across our region.”

With the addition of St. Louis to Icelandair’s network, Icelandair and Southwest Airlines, are further expanding their partnership. Southwest is the largest carrier at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, where it operates one of its key gateways.

“Icelandair’s announcement demonstrates the many strengths of St. Louis Lambert International Airport as we secure international routes for our travelers and the region,” said Acting Airport Director Jerry Beckmann. “This achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of our Air Service Development Department and our regional partners on projects such as this.”

The expanded partnership will offer customers of both airlines convenient connections from destinations across North America via St. Louis to Iceland and onward to Icelandair’s destinations in Europe. It will also provide travelers from Iceland and Europe with connections through St. Louis to a wide range of destinations across the United States.

About Icelandair

With an extensive route network, Icelandair uses the unique geographical location of Iceland as a hub midway between Europe and North America offering direct flights to around 60 destinations. Additional to the international route network, Icelandair operates a domestic network in Iceland, an airfreight and logistics business as well as aircraft leasing and consulting services.

Since its foundation in 1937, Icelandair has steadily expanded its route network and, in 2024, transported 4.7 million passengers to 55 destinations in Europe and North America and employed around 3,600 full-time employees. Icelandair is a publicly traded company, listed on Nasdaq Iceland.

About St. Louis Lambert International Airport

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is the primary commercial airport for the St. Louis metro area and parts of eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. In 2025, the airport served just under 16 million passengers. The airport ranks as the 35th busiest airport in the United States.

STL is an Enterprise Fund Department of the City of St. Louis. A study commissioned by Greater St. Louis, Inc. in 2024 found that the airport generated an annual economic impact of $6.1 billion for the St. Louis region.  As an Enterprise Fund Department, it is wholly supported by airport user charges. No general fund revenues are used for the operation, administration, promotion, or maintenance of airport facilities.

About Explore St. Louis

Explore St. Louis is the driving force behind St. Louis’ $5.7 billion convention and tourism  industry, the official destination marketing organization of St. Louis City and County, and  operator of the America’s Center Convention Complex and The Dome.

Featured image credited to Mary Kirby