In your subsequent journey to France, you may contemplate flying to Paris on Icelandair with a carry-on. Top-of-the-line causes is that you would be able to make a stopover in Iceland without spending a dime. The nation is totally lovely and positively value a go to. If you happen to resolve to do that, you want to concentrate on their carry-on measurement coverage and restrictions as a result of they’re not what you suppose they’re. Their guidelines drove me loopy however in the long run, every thing labored out properly.
1. Touring Icelandair To Paris With Carry-On

In September, my good friend and I made a 7-night stopover in Iceland on our technique to Paris. It’s a cease I extremely suggest. As you may see from the photograph (Fjarðarárgljúfur Canyon situated in southern Iceland), the surroundings is gorgeous. The airfare to Paris on the time was less expensive than taking Air Canada or Air France. Plus, we may cease off (1-7 nights) and go to probably the most lovely locations on earth.
My airfare (Financial system Flex) was $1319 return (all in). This was a fully-refundable airfare which signifies that there was free cancellation. It included one checked bag, one carry-on bag (hand baggage), and one private merchandise. We each selected to do carry-on as a result of there have been too many luggage misplaced in transit by so many airways, so we merely didn’t wish to take any probabilities.
(a) Icelandair Financial system Class And Saga Class
Icelandair is taken into account a 3-star airline (considerably funds). Whereas it’s not like Air Canada or Air France that are thought-about 4-star airways (in line with Skytrax World Airline Star Score), the flights have been completely wonderful. They’ve two lessons: Financial system and Saga, which is like premium financial system. Financial system does present complimentary espresso/tea/gentle drinks, in-flight leisure, blankets, and pillows however there are further prices for meals, headsets, and Wifi, that are included with the Saga class.
The distinction between the airfares often has to do with making modifications, and costs for seat choice, cancellation, and baggage.
- Financial system has 3 airfares: Financial system Commonplace, Gentle, and Flex
- Saga has 2 airfares: Saga Premium and Saga Premium Flex
(b) Worldwide Baggage Sizes Fluctuate By Model
The issue with many baggage manufacturers is their “worldwide” measurement standards. There’s not one commonplace. What might appear to be acceptable, won’t be with Icelandair. One model may measure 21.5 X 14.5 X 9” whereas one other model is 22” X 15” X 9”. Every airline has its personal guidelines surrounding the allowable weight and measurement of luggage which might be checked in and allowed on board so it’s in your greatest pursuits to make certain yours comply.
2. Icelandair Baggage Coverage

(a) Carry-On Baggage
What gave me frustration was Icelandair’s coverage about carry-on luggage. All airways wish to make sure that the merchandise will match within the overhead bin. As talked about, my Samsonite Freeform Laborious Aspect Spinner carry-on measures 21.5” X 14-1/2” X 9” (54.6cm X 36.8cm X 22.5cm) however Icelandair’s carry-on baggage measurement and coverage are as follows:
1 carry-on merchandise:
- which may weigh as much as 22 kilos
- most dimensions: 21.6” x 15.7” x 7.8” (55 x 40 x 20 cm) and this contains the deal with and wheels
1 private merchandise:
- similar to a purse, backpack, or laptop computer bag that should match underneath the seat in entrance of you
- most dimensions: 15.7” x 11.8” x 5.9” (40 x 30 x 15 cm)
(b) Checked Baggage
Icelandair’s baggage allowance for checked baggage (Financial system, worldwide) is: the utmost complete measurement (size + width + top), together with handles and wheels is 62 inches (158 cm). The utmost weight is 50 kilos (23 kg)
3. Dilemma With Icelandair’s Carry-on Measurement

(a) What Measurement Will Work On Icelandair?
The carry-on measurement that’s allowed by many different airways is bigger than Icelander’s carry-on measurement. For example:
- Air Canada’s carry-on measurement is 21.5” X 15.1” X 9”
- Icelandair’s carry-on measurement is 21.6” X 15.7” X 7.8”.
The distinction between 9” and seven.8” is critical and discovering a bag that’s 7.8” or much less is near not possible.
Once I contacted Icelandair, all they’d say is:
“Your carry-on bag should match within the overhead compartment and should thus be throughout the most dimensions (together with handles and wheels). Nonetheless, that is evaluated on a case-by-case foundation by the check-in employees.”
(b) Icelandair Carry-on Measurementr
I used to be unsuccessful at discovering a suitcase that met the dimensions standards at an affordable worth. I visited Pearson Worldwide Airport in Toronto to see the carry-on sizer myself. It’s a metallic construction the place you place your baggage to indicate if it meets the dimensions restrictions. My greatest concern was the 7.8” depth.
I measured the sizer and put my Samsonite Freeform Laborious Aspect Spinner carry-on inside. It match! Right here’s what I discovered:
- Keep on: 21.6” X 15.7” X 9”
- Private merchandise: 15.7” x 11.8” x 5.9”
So there was rather more room than 7.8 inches!
To my shock, although Icelandair stated the bag should not be bigger than 21.6” x 15.7” x 7.8 (55 x 40 x 20 cm), the sizer utilized by Icelandair truly permits bigger baggage. For my flights, my 21.5” X 14-1/2” X 9” suitcase was OK. (Zoom in on the photograph!)
Whether or not Icelandair modifications its sizer to match what’s acknowledged on-line is unknown. All I can inform you is that I had no drawback.
4. Flights Between Toronto, Iceland, And Paris

(a) Icelandair Test-in
Icelandair on-line check-in, 24 hours earlier than the flight, was attainable and since I used to be solely doing carry-on, there was no have to go to the check-in desk on the airport. This was not the case leaving Paris; nevertheless, as you’ll learn, everybody needed to test in—and have their carry-on luggage examined!
(b) Icelandair On-board Expertise

My good friend and I booked our seats prematurely and selected aisle seats (in a row with 3 seats). The leather-based seats weren’t too cramped (32” pitch and 17” width) though not essentially the most snug, however wonderful for a 5-1/2 hour flight. If the value had been higher, I might have most popular to e book a Saga Class fare. It’s mainly like a Premium Financial system class (40” pitch and 20” width).
The airline isn’t precisely no-frills. You do get a blanket and pillow and non-alcoholic drinks; nevertheless, there’s a cost for meals. I had heard that the meals that you would be able to purchase on Icelandair isn’t the best, and we had eaten beforehand so we simply wanted just a few snacks. The airline does carry some attention-grabbing alcoholic drinks. My good friend bought a Venezuelan rum and Icelandic vodka (1200 krona or $7 every).
I introduced my very own noise-canceling earbuds for the onboard leisure which was wonderful. There have been plenty of motion pictures to cross the time.
After one week in Iceland, we took one other flight from Reykjavik to Paris. It was solely 3-1/2 hours and we have been seated in a row with 2 seats. It was an uneventful flight. We flew again from Paris to Toronto with a stopover in Iceland for 1.5 hours. It truly wasn’t that dangerous because it broke up the lengthy journey.
FAQ
You may carry a handbag, however it’s essential make certain the purse will match into the non-public merchandise as a result of the purse is taken into account a private merchandise and if it isn’t packed, you can be thought-about as having 3 gadgets.
Icelandair may be extremely strict. When flying from Toronto to Iceland, we bought our boarding passes prematurely and didn’t should go to the check-in counter. Flying again from Paris to Iceland after which to Toronto, no passengers have been in a position to get their boarding passes prematurely. All of us needed to line up on the check-in and it was there that they weighed the bags, even when it was carry-on.
If a bag appeared too large to qualify as carry-on, they made the particular person test the bag. That signifies that the wheels and handles must match within the baggage cage, though, curiously, I didn’t see the flight personnel utilizing the bags sizer.
It’s value flying Icelandair to Paris with carry-on if the value is nice and particularly if you wish to cease over in Iceland. Simply be ready to abide by Icelandair’s carry-on restrictions and guidelines.
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