Icelandair launches their 18th North American gateway with tonight’s inaugural flight from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, bridging business and leisure travelers between The City of Brotherly Love and Europe via Iceland.

Icelandair flight 828 will depart today from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) at 8:35PM from gate A5. The mayor of Reykjavik, Dagur Eggertsson and the mayor of Philadelphia, Jim Kenney will be on hand to celebrate the new service and embark on the inaugural flight. The flight will be inaugurated with Icelandair’s newest livery, Vatnajokull, a glacier-themed aircraft showcasing the beauty and wonder of Iceland’s largest glacier both inside and out. The day’s festivities will include a ribbon cutting ceremony with officials from Iceland and Philadelphia, music provided by Icelandic musician and football player (soccer) Jon Ragnar Jonsson, as well as traditional Philadelphia cheesesteaks and Icelandic hot dogs being served.

"Philadelphia will further strengthen Icelandair’s presence in the Mid-Atlantic and better serve our passengers with faster travel times to Europe and easy connections through Pennsylvania’s largest city. Philadelphians will now have a refreshing alternative when traveling to Iceland and beyond, and Icelanders and Europeans will have direct access to the historic city of Philadelphia, boasting the fifth largest population in the United States. This is an exciting and significant moment for Icelandair and we look forward to welcoming Philadelphia aboard," said Birkir Holm Gudnason, CEO of Icelandair.

Icelandair’s seasonal service will operate four days a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays with non-stop service to Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and connections to more than 25 Destinations in Europe.

“We are very excited to welcome Icelandair to our family of international carriers,” said Airport CEO Chellie Cameron. “Flights to Reykjavik open the Philadelphia region’s doors for travel, education, and business to Iceland, which serves as a gateway to 25 European destinations. This new direct service will also make it easier for overseas travelers from Iceland and beyond to visit and explore the birthplace of America.”

To help celebrate the new service Icelandair is offering fares to Iceland starting at $399* round-trip per person for travel from August 16th through September 20th.