Delta to End Detroit to Reykjavík Flights in 2027
The airline will discontinue its seasonal route from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Iceland this year.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Air Travel
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Delta Air Lines is canceling its seasonal service from Detroit to Reykjavík for 2027. The airline previously operated this transatlantic route using Boeing 757-200 aircraft.
Why it matters
The change reflects Delta's strategic pivot away from narrowbody transatlantic operations in favor of widebody jets that feature premium seating options. This alignment prioritizes long-haul comfort and brand standards over the continued use of older mid-sized aircraft.
The route spanned 2,785 miles between Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Keflavik International Airport. Delta currently maintains 70 Boeing 757-200 aircraft in its fleet compared to 110 modern Airbus A321neo planes.
The players
Delta Air Lines
This major American carrier is transitioning its transatlantic fleet from older Boeing 757-200 aircraft to newer Airbus A321neo models.
Icelandair
The flag carrier of Iceland previously competed on the Detroit to Reykjavík route before withdrawing in January 2026.
The details
Delta carried 109,122 passengers on the route since its launch in May 2023, which was also served by Icelandair until their withdrawal in January 2026. The airline is systematically transitioning away from these Boeing 757 transatlantic routes as it replaces older aircraft with the Airbus A321neo.
Timeline
May 2023: Delta launched the Detroit to Reykjavík seasonal route.
January 2026: Icelandair withdrew from the Detroit to Reykjavík route.
October 2026: Delta reached its current count of 757 and A321neo aircraft.
April 12, 2027: Delta starts seasonal service from Boston to Reykjavík.
October 30, 2027: The Boston to Reykjavík seasonal service ends.
Travel Outlook
The cancellation of this route follows the industry-wide decline of the Boeing 757-200 transatlantic narrowbody operational model. This decision signals a broader shift as airlines move away from using narrowbody jets for long-haul international service.
Travelers looking for direct routes to Iceland will no longer have an option departing from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Passengers who previously relied on this route should look for alternative connection points as Delta shifts its focus to other regional hubs like Boston.
The takeaway
Travelers should verify seasonal schedule changes well in advance as airlines continue to phase out older mid-sized aircraft for transatlantic routes. Checking partner airline connections or hubs in other cities may be necessary for those planning travel to Iceland.
Further reading
For more on local aviation developments, see Air Travel for the latest updates.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Simple Flying.
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