Holidaymakers in north-east and north-west England have a new, closer way to reach Iceland this winter. New easyJet flights to Iceland now run direct from Newcastle and Liverpool to Keflavík. Both twice-weekly services are up and running for the 2026/27 winter season.
It is welcome news for anyone who has long wanted to see the Northern Lights and would rather start the journey from a local airport.
Two new routes to Keflavík
Newcastle was first to launch, with its service starting on 27 October 2026. Flights operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Liverpool followed on 2 November, with departures on Mondays and Fridays. Both routes serve Keflavík International Airport, Iceland’s main international gateway.
According to Travel Daily Media, the services make Iceland easier to reach for travellers across the north of England. They work in the other direction too, giving Icelanders a direct way into Newcastle and Liverpool.
For easyJet, the launches add to its operation at Keflavík and give the airport a broader choice of international destinations. Fares and exact departure times were not included in the launch details, so check current prices and timings with the airline before you book.
easyJet flights to Iceland and the Northern Lights
The timing could hardly be better. The services arrive just as the darker months return, when aurora hunting becomes the big draw for winter visitors.
On paper, the flight days also lend themselves neatly to short breaks, provided the return flights run on the same days (check the schedule when booking):
- From Newcastle: fly out on a Saturday and back on a Tuesday for three nights, or Tuesday to Saturday for four.
- From Liverpool: a Friday-to-Monday trip gives three nights, while Monday to Friday gives four.
That is enough time to combine evenings searching for the aurora with a day touring the Golden Circle and a soak at the Blue Lagoon, the classic ingredients of a first Iceland trip.
The routes have been launched for the winter season. The launch details do not mention summer flights, so anyone hoping for a midnight-sun break from the north should watch for further updates.
Part of a wider easyJet expansion
The Iceland links are part of a busy burst of new easyJet flying from UK airports. The airline offers more than 62 million seats a year on flights to and from Britain, and it rolled out seven new routes in just three days.
Newcastle has done particularly well. As well as Keflavík, the airport has gained easyJet services to Kraków in Poland and Marrakesh in Morocco. Leon McQuaid, Director of Aviation Development at Newcastle Airport, said the airline’s growth underlined its “strong commitment to both the Airport and wider North East region”.
Other fresh routes include:
- A twice-weekly service to Copenhagen, which began on 5 November.
- Manchester to Nuremberg, a city whose Christmas market is among the oldest and best known in Europe. Cirium data shows the route had no direct service after Ryanair last flew it in 2019.
- London Southend to Belfast City, a year-round route launched on 2 November and flying on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.
- London Luton to Rabat, Morocco’s capital, with two flights a week from 5 November.
Why it matters for UK travellers
For families and couples across Tyneside, Wearside, Merseyside and beyond, a local departure can take a long drive or train journey out of the start and end of the holiday. That means less time in transit and potentially fewer extra costs for parking, rail fares or an airport hotel.
It also makes Iceland a more realistic long-weekend option. And for travellers who would rather not drive on winter roads, joining a guided tour becomes simpler when the flight starts close to home.
When to go
For the Northern Lights, the winter months give the long, dark nights you need. Sightings always depend on clear skies and solar activity, so build in more than one evening to give yourself the best chance.
Pack warm layers, waterproofs and sturdy footwear, and keep your plans flexible in case the weather turns. Daylight hours are short in midwinter, which suits aurora viewing but means sightseeing days are compact.
Planning a trip? Browse our Iceland holidays for hotel breaks built around the aurora season, or let an expert guide lead the way on one of our escorted tours of Iceland.
FAQs
When did easyJet flights from Newcastle to Iceland start?
easyJet’s Newcastle to Keflavík route began on 27 October 2026. It operates twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, as part of the airline’s 2026/27 winter schedule. That pattern suits a three-night Saturday-to-Tuesday break or a four-night Tuesday-to-Saturday trip, so long as return flights run on the same days.
What days does easyJet fly from Liverpool to Iceland?
The Liverpool to Keflavík service started on 2 November 2026 and flies on Mondays and Fridays. That suits a three-night weekend away from Friday to Monday or a four-night midweek trip. Exact departure times and fares were not included in the launch details, so check with easyJet before booking.
Are the new Iceland flights good for a Northern Lights holiday?
Yes. Both routes launched for the winter season, when long, dark nights offer the best conditions for aurora viewing. Sightings depend on clear skies, so a stay of three or four nights gives you several evenings to try. The launch details do not mention summer flights.
