REYKJAVIK, Nov. 15, 2026 — Icelandair’s pilots plan an open-ended strike starting at 00:01 local time on Friday, Nov. 20, if no agreement is reached. The strike targets only the charter flying Icelandair and sister company Loftleiðir operate for other companies. The airline’s scheduled passenger network, including transatlantic flights through Keflavik, is not included.
The strike
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Union | Icelandic Airline Pilots Association (FÍA) |
| Start | 00:01 local time, Nov. 20, 2026; no end date |
| Covered | Passenger and cargo charters flown by Icelandair and Loftleiðir for third parties, such as tour operators |
| Not covered | Scheduled flights; the Akureyri–Tenerife route |
| Vote | 621 eligible pilots; 89.1% turnout; 94% in favor |
| Next talks | TBA |
The pilots’ contract expired in autumn 2025, and talks have been before Iceland’s State Mediator since spring, VisaVerge reported Nov. 14. The union says the airline rejected three settlement options it offered and sent a pay proposal directly to pilots, bypassing the bargaining committee. The dispute is tied to Icelandair’s plans in Malta: the airline completed a 49% purchase of Fly Play Europe on Oct. 19, and its Malta subsidiary holds a Maltese operating certificate. In a Nov. 13 letter, the union said Icelandair wanted the right to lease foreign crews and more flexible crew-rest rules. Pilots fear flying done under Icelandic contracts could move abroad.
Icelandair says the strike will not directly affect its passenger network operations and that the financial impact can’t yet be determined, FlightGlobal reported. The airline’s mechanics struck from Sept. 23 to Oct. 21 without reaching a deal, a walkout that cost $4 million in third-quarter operating profit, and their union chairman said Nov. 13 that further action is not ruled out.
What it means for non-revs
- Scheduled Icelandair flights are not part of this strike, so ZED and interline travel on its North America–Iceland–Europe network should not be directly affected on Nov. 20.
- The bigger risk is escalation: pilots and mechanics both have unresolved contracts. If you have Icelandair travel planned, check for any new strike notice before departure.
- Have a backup routing across the Atlantic if your trip can’t slip, since non-revs are the first to lose seats if things escalate.
Sources
- FlightGlobal, “Icelandair pilots to strike on 20 November” — https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/2026/11/icelandair-pilots-to-strike-on-20-november/
- VisaVerge, “Icelandair Pilots Plan Strike Action Affecting Charter Operations from November 20” — https://www.visaverge.com/airlines/icelandair-pilots-plan-strike-action-affecting-charter-operations-from-november-20/
- Deep Arrival, “Icelandair Pilots Strike Charter Flights From Nov. 20: Is Your Flight Affected?” — https://deeparrival.com/news/icelandair-pilots-charter-strike-november-20-2026-scheduled-flights-unaffected/
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