Updated: 28 October 2026. The first Air China flight arrived at Keflavík on 26 October 2026, as confirmed by Iceland’s Ministry of Infrastructure. Schedules may change.
Planning to travel from China to Iceland? Start with three practical decisions: the flight itinerary, your transfer from Keflavík Airport and where you will stay in Reykjavík. Air China’s new route provides a timely reason to make that plan, but landing in Iceland is only the first step.
Air China’s Beijing–Reykjavík route has launched
In its official announcement, Air China lists PEK → CPH → KEF: Beijing Capital → Copenhagen → Keflavík. The first flight operated on 26 October 2026; the schedule provides three weekly services, on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The outbound service is CA807; CA808 is the return via Copenhagen.
For anyone comparing Beijing to Reykjavik flights, the crucial detail is the Copenhagen stop. This is not a nonstop Beijing–Iceland flight. Check the operating dates and full itinerary with Air China before paying.
What does the Copenhagen stop mean?
The published route continues from Copenhagen to Keflavík. Do not assume that you stay seated on the aircraft, that no checks apply, or that baggage arrangements are identical for every booking. Ask Air China about disembarkation, onward boarding and checked baggage for your specific ticket.
Copenhagen Airport explains that passengers crossing the Schengen border pass through passport control; its transfer guidance also covers security checks. Follow the airline’s instructions for this through service. Keep travel documents accessible rather than packed in checked baggage.
Before booking China to Iceland flights, check the official Iceland visa guidance for your passport and residence status. If Iceland is your main destination, use the guidance for applying to Iceland; the official application-location list includes China. A Copenhagen stop does not by itself make Denmark your main destination.
KEF is not Reykjavík city airport
Your arrival airport on this route is Keflavík International Airport (KEF), on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 50 km from Reykjavík city centre. Reykjavík Airport (RKV) is a separate airport in the city. When a flight search labels KEF “Reykjavík”, it does not mean you land downtown.
Book or plan the airport-to-accommodation leg separately. Save your accommodation address, check-in instructions and the exact transfer stop before departure; the name “Reykjavík” alone is not a drop-off point.
Getting from KEF to Reykjavík
Flybus: airport coach to BSÍ
Flybus links KEF with BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík and connects with arriving flights. If you want an onward hotel or designated-stop transfer, check that it is included in the ticket you choose. A terminal-only ticket and an accommodation transfer are different products.
Strætó route 55: check where your trip ends
Public bus 55 runs daily between KEF and the capital area. Not every departure reaches BSÍ: some terminate at Fjörður in Hafnarfjörður. Check the actual timetable, onward connection and walking distance to your accommodation. This matters especially after a long flight or with heavy luggage.
Taxi or a rental car
The airport transport page lists taxis and rental companies. A taxi can simplify the final leg; confirm the fare and destination before departure. A rental car makes sense if you need it for the next part of the trip. Check collection arrangements, parking at your accommodation and current travel and road conditions before committing to a drive after the flight.
Leave space between the scheduled landing and any activity. Baggage collection, the transfer and accommodation check-in all take time; weather or a flight delay can change the plan.
Your first practical steps in Reykjavík
Make arrival day manageable: get to your accommodation, confirm the next day’s pickup or meeting point, and rest before a longer outing. Keep the return transfer in your plan too. A booked departure from the city needs enough time to reach KEF and complete airline check-in.
Two useful next steps with NERA
For a daytime outing: explore NERA’s Golden Circle guide to understand Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss before choosing a day outside Reykjavík. Plan it after arrival rather than tying it tightly to your landing time.
For Northern Lights planning: begin with the best time to see the Northern Lights when choosing travel dates. Once in Iceland, use NERA Aurora Forecast for current conditions and its Aurora Alert information. Then read where to see the Northern Lights near Reykjavík to choose a place that suits your transport. If photography is part of the plan, continue to the phone and camera guide. No forecast or flight date guarantees a sighting.
These are next reading steps, not activities you need to book immediately after buying a flight.
FAQ: how to travel from China to Iceland
Is Air China’s Beijing–Reykjavík service nonstop?
No. The itinerary is PEK → CPH → KEF, with a stop in Copenhagen. Check Air China’s instructions for continuing the journey.
When did the new service start?
The first flight arrived at Keflavík on 26 October 2026. Iceland’s Ministry of Infrastructure confirmed the arrival, and the schedule provides three weekly services: Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Check the current timetable before booking.
Which airport should I choose for a Beijing to Iceland flight?
For this Air China route, select Keflavík (KEF). Do not confuse it with Reykjavík city airport (RKV).
Can I reach Reykjavík without renting a car?
Yes. Flybus, public bus 55 and taxis are options. Check the coach ticket’s drop-off coverage or the public bus’s final stop before choosing.
Should I plan Golden Circle or an Aurora outing on arrival day?
Allow for your flight, transfer and rest first. Keep longer outings flexible and use NERA’s Golden Circle and Aurora guides to decide your next steps.
Sources and updates
Route: Air China announcement. Arrival and transport: Keflavík Airport, Flybus and Strætó. Copenhagen procedures: CPH transfer guidance and passport control. Entry planning: Ísland.is. Practical timing suggestions are NERA editorial advice; fares and fixed transfer timetables are deliberately omitted. Recheck the route before travel.