Whether you are flying into Greenland for a holiday, to film or for business, it’s useful to know the following tips. Our in-house aviation expert, Helene Steffensen, provides the following insights.
Where do you fly from to get to Greenland?
If you want to visit and explore Greenland and its stunning nature you can currently fly via Keflavik International Airport or Reykjavik Airport in Iceland, or Copenhagen Airport in Denmark. There are 2 commercial airlines that offer flights to Greenland – Air Greenland and Icelandair.
Icelandair flies all year around from Reykjavik Dom. Airport to Kulusuk in East Greenland and the Capital of Nuuk in West Greenland. Icelandair also operates seasonal flights to Narsarsuaq in South Greenland, Ilulissat in North Greenland and Kangerlussuaq in the Arctic Circle.
From June 1st, 2022 Icelandair will fly from Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV) to Kulusuk and Narsarsuaq. Additionally, Icelandair will operate flights from Keflavík International Airport (KEF) to Nuuk and Ilulissat.
Air Greenland flies all year around from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq and from Keflavik to Nuuk. Also seasonal flights to Narsarsuaq from Copenhagen.
How much does it cost to fly to Greenland?
The prices can range, depending on departure and arrival destinations. For a return ticket the average price can range from 6000-8000 DKK (800-1000€).
You can be lucky to find a campaign ticket on Air Greenland’s webpage and the price for a return ticket can be approx 5000 DKK (570€). The tickets are released for a small period of time in a limited amount. If you are interested in getting the latest updates from the Airline, you can sign up for Air Greenland’s newsletter Club Timmisa and be the first to receive offers or campaigns: Sign up here. As something new Air Greenland launched a Fly’n sleep campaign, where you can have a stop overnight in Kangerlussuaq. A one-way ticket costs from 1995 Dkk, Read more about it here and check availability
With Icelandair, the prices are similar, however you can sign-up for Saga points and pay for your tickets with points on the Icelandair route network. If you buy a ticket with Icelandair you can book one ticket on all Icelandair’s big international networks. That opens up a big part of the world as well.
Is it expensive to fly into Greenland? Why?
A return flight ticket to one of the bigger cities in Greenland costs approx. 4500-8000 DKK. This is both from Denmark and Iceland with Air Greenland or from Iceland to Greenland with Icelandair. The prices from the two Airlines are quite similar. One would think the flights are quite expensive compared to other destinations in the world. However Greenland is in the Arctic region and the costs of running airports and heliports in these rough and untouched areas are very high compared to other destinations. There are some regions with limited accessibility at specific times of the year, such as in East Greenland and North Greenland.
Additionally, Air Greenland flights have a lot of services already included in the price. Air Greenland is a full service carrier which means you can freely carry 20 kg of luggage and 8 kg hand luggage in every flight both international and domestic. In the 4.5 hour flights between Copenhagen and Kangerlussuaq, you will also be served a free meal and beverages. There are also various options of entertainment in the entertainment system onboard the Airbus that flies this route. In the domestic flights you will be served water, coffee and tea.
Icelandair is a Hybrid airline with different options, which means that you can decide what product you would like to buy for your purpose. They have different types of tickets with Economy Standard and Economy Flex you will have 20 kg of luggage and 6 kg hand luggage included.
With Economy Light you will have to pay a fee for your checked luggage. A meal and soft drinks will also be served with Icelandair flights to and from Greenland.
Both airlines cover stays and rebookings for passengers that are not residing in the town they’re flying from, should their flight be cancelled or delayed due to the weather.
NOTE: Keep in mind that the price also depends on what your final destination in Greenland is, as you might have to book domestic flights as well to get there.
When can you fly to greenland?
It is possible to fly all year round to Greenland. To the west coast and east coast via Copenhagen, Denmark, Keflavik, Iceland or Reykjavik, Iceland. Flights directly from Iceland and Denmark to South Greenland are only operating in the summer period.
Why does extra baggage cost so much?
You can freely bring up to 20kg of luggage and 8 kg of hand luggage on all Air Greenland flights. With Icelandair please note some types of tickets you will be charged extra for luggage.
In Greenland most flights are operated with smaller flights and helicopters domestically, and as the flights are very weight sensitive there is only a limited amount of capacity. Passengers will be prioritized and therefore the price can seem high per extra kilo as per smaller amount of capacity. If you are planning to bring a lot of overweight baggage, please contact the airline in advance and before the flight is sold out. In that case your overweight baggage is guaranteed to fly all the way with you. For more information about overweight baggage, click here for Air Greenland and here for Icelandair.
What’s the best time to buy flight tickets?
In general it’s recommended to book your tickets in advance as the price structure is based on availability and demand. The higher the demand, the higher the price will be.
What language do they speak in Greenland (and on the plane)?
The languages spoken in Greenland are Greenlandic, Danish and English. In both the domestic flights and international flights both Air Greenland and Icelandair cabin crew speak English. The employee’s working in the airports also speak English.
Is there a frequent flyer points program?
Air Greenland does not have a frequent flight program and does not offer access to other airlines frequent flyer programs. However, it is possible to sign up to “Club Timmisa”. As a member of Club Timmisa you can get useful information about your flight and check-in on your mobile phone. You will also be the first to know if there are upcoming campaigns or great offers. You can sign up here.
At Icelandair you can use the Saga bonus points, which you can use on a very big route network and buy new tickets with – read more about it here and earn your points! There are other great advantages of being a club member as well such as upgrading classes and access to lounges in the airport.
Who do I fly with domestically in Greenland?
Air Greenland is the only airline that offers domestic flights in Greenland. The flights are the Dash 8 type with a capacity of 37 pax.
Other alternatives for experiencing flightseeing from above is with AirZafari, Air Greenland Sightseeing and Sermeq Helicopters. All three companies are specialized in tailor made trips from above.
For those that prefer to travel by sea, there is a coastal ferry Sailing from Qaqortoq in South Greenland to Ilulissat in North Greenland. Read more about the ferry here: Sarfaq Ittuk
What types of planes will I be flying in when travelling to Greenland?
Between Copenhagen and Kangerlussuaq Air Greenland operates with an Airbus A330 with a capacity of 278 pax. Domestically, Air Greenland flies with Dash 8 type planes with a capacity of 37 pax. Read more about Air Greenland fleet.
If you’re flying with Icelandair you will be either flying in a Bombardier Q200 or Q400 with a capacity of 37 passengers or 62 passengers. Read more about Icelandair fleet.
What’s the future of flying in Greenland?
Air Greenland, the national carrier is renewing their fleet to make it more sustainable and they have purchased a new Airbus A330-800neo, the new machine has a larger capacity of 305 passengers, just to compare – the Airbus used now is with a capacity of 278 passengers.
The new flight does also use 14% less fuel and emission per flight than the Airbus A330 uses now. The flight will be operating from Copenhagen to Greenland.
In November 2024, two new international airports are planned to open with new runways. The runways will be2200 meters long and can therefore accommodate bigger planes. At the moment only smaller propeller flights with a capacity of 37 seats can land there. The building is progressing at this moment. The airports will open in Ilulissat and Nuuk, meaning flights from Copenhagen, Iceland and potentially other international destinations will be able to fly direct to these two bigger cities in Greenland. This will make the journey more smooth and also shorter. For more information about new airports go to https://kair.gl/en/.
You can read more about the infrastructure development plans which will support this on traveltrade.gl Greenland invests in Infrastructure.
If you are interested in getting more information please visit:
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