[Award Alert] Iceland in Lie-Flat Business Class From 47,500 Miles

Updated: May 19, 2025, 1:24pm CDT

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Table of Contents

Award Alert — The Details
How To Book
Final Thoughts

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If Iceland is on your travel bucket list, you’ll want to pay attention. We’ve found rare lie-flat business class availability to the Land of Fire and Ice for much of this summer and fall.

You can book tickets from the East Coast for 47,500 miles each way in business class or just 30,000 miles in economy.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Award Alert — The Details

Virgin Atlantic has released award availability on Delta’s nonstop flights between New York (JFK) and Reykjavik (KEF) between May and October 2025.

Although award tickets are often available for flights to Iceland, it is uncommon to find business class flights with lie-flat seats, as many airlines use aircraft equipped with standard recliner seats on the relatively short routes between the East Coast and Iceland.

However, Delta operates a Boeing 767 equipped with lie-flat seats on this route during the busy summer season, ensuring you can travel to Iceland in style and comfort.

Unfortunately, these business class tickets are subject to high taxes and fees (economy tickets have a very reasonable surcharge, though). Still, if you’re eager to travel to Iceland comfortably, you don’t want to overlook this opportunity.

Class: Business, Economy
Routes: New York (JFK) to Reykjavik (KEF), Iceland
Cost: Business class from 47,500 miles plus $1,055; Economy from 30,000 miles plus $7.10
Travel Dates: May to October 2025
Award Seats: Business: up to 2 seats; Economy: up to 9 seats

How To Book

You can use a search engine like seats.aero that aggregates award-seat options across numerous programs. Alternatively, you can head right to Virgin Atlantic’s website and search directly.

JFK KEF availability — Image Credit: seats.aero

Acquiring the miles necessary to book these tickets through the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program is easy. You can transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and Wells Fargo Rewards.

Virgin Atlantic JFK-KEF — Image Credit: Virgin Atlantic

Since you will still be on the hook for taxes and fees, consider paying with The Platinum Card^® from American Express. It earns 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with the airline or through AmexTravel.com (capped at $500,000 spent in purchases per calendar year, then 1x points).

Plus, the card comes with a Priority Pass membership (enrollment required), so you can spend time in a lounge before your flight if you book economy instead of business class.

Hot Tip:

Traveling to Iceland but don’t have a lot of time? Check out our guide covering all the best things to see, do, eat, and more with just 48 hours in Iceland.

Final Thoughts

Iceland remains a very popular destination, but if you’re based on the East Coast, there aren’t many options for reaching the island nation in lie-flat seats. However, this summer, Delta is using an aircraft equipped with lie-flat business class on its flights from New York’s JFK, and you can book them with Virgin Atlantic points.

If you’re at all interested in visiting Iceland — and making the journey much more pleasant with a fully flat business class seat — don’t hesitate to book one of these tickets!