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AS YOU MAY have heard, we’ll all soon be able to trot off to Boston for rock bottom prices, thanks to a little-known Icelandic airline.
Wow Air announced its new Dublin – North America routes this morning.
The no-frills airline is offering one-way fares for as little as €149.
The flights — from Dublin to Boston and Washington — will include a stopover in Reykjavik, and will operate only three days a week.
So what can we expect from this ‘Icelandic Ryanair’ when the new service starts, later this year?
How long is the stop-over?
And will we have to pay for a cup of coffee?
Here’s a no-frills guide…
Boston and Washington you say? To main airports, or will I be landing on some godforsaken airstrip in the next state?
It’s to proper airports — Logan International Airport, and Baltimore Washington International, which is only marginally further from the city compared to Dulles (but very close to Baltimore, if you happen to be on a The Wire-inspired trip to the city).
And this €149 business? Does that include taxes and everything?
Yes. Yes it does. Although ‘restrictions and baggage fees may apply’. So if you’re happy to head to Boston with a small backpack — yes, looks like it could just cost you around 300 quid.
How long will that be offered? Not forever, I imagine?
You’re right.
“It is definitely an introductory offer,” CEO Skúli Mogensen told us earlier.
However, I can also say that we continuously try to offer and lower our fares for the benefit of our customers. So yes, I think you can see very aggressive pricing coming into the transatlantic markets going forward.
Right. So this Icelandic stopover… What’s the deal with that?
The Reykjavik stop-off is the airline’s secret weapon, as far as Wow Air is concerned. The fact that it’s two short-haul hops rather than one longer journey means they can use smaller, more fuel efficient planes (hence the low fares).
Stop-overs will generally be for two hours outbound, and about 2 hours 20 minutes on the way back, we’re told.
And it’s definitely ‘no frills’ is it?
It is. If you’re planning to splurge at the Cheesecake Factory (or where-ever) when you get to Boston, you won’t need to put your hand in your pocket. But if you happen to get slightly peckish before Newfoundland hoves into view, here’s a quick price guide:
Ham & cheese baguette: €4.60
Can of soft drink: €1.66
Grasshopper porridge (don’t worry, it’s a brand name): €3.93
Tea or coffee: €2.33
Beer: €4.33
And while we’re here — who the hell are ‘Wow Air’ anyway?
Good question. It’s a relatively small, relatively new company, founded in 2011 by Icelandic entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen. The 46-year-old (below) describes himself as an “accidental airline owner” and previously headed-up a mobile software company ‘OZ’ which he sold to Nokia in 2008.
When do flights start? How can I find out more?
All we know so far is that the flights get under way in October. And here’s the airline’s website.
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Looking at Skúli I can see why it’s called WOW !!!
Heard George Hook discussing this: It’s going to take 12 hours to get to Boston (as compared to 7 direct), you’ll have to pay for your bags (which you don’t direct), and you won’t clear US Immigration till you land in the US.
Oh, and Newstalk couldn’t find return flights for less than €467. Suddenly this “WOW” option doesn’t seem quite as speculator as Iceland is reported to be…
Does anybody know what a direct return flight to Boston would typically cost with Aer Lingus this far out? Wouldn’t have thought it would be all that much higher…
(Than €467 I mean)
His choice of wall art doesn’t fill me with confidence about the airline
He said that flights to Iceland would only be around €59….He didn’t say how much it would cost you to get back out of the God-forsaken place!
Will the pilots be snowmen? Is there free booze? Why do dogs have wet noses?
Possibly? Unfortunately Not. They lick them.
In one word ….. Eyjafjallajökull!
The flights to Iceland seem cheap enough. I always wanted to visit. Has anybody been? Would you recommend it?
I went a few years ago from Glasgow. Would definitely recommend it. The blue lagoon was fantastic!
I wouldn’t be drinking much when there though and plenty warm clothes. :)
Iceland is so beautiful. Much cheaper than it used to be. The blue lagoon is amazing. Well worth a visit.
The flight out might be ok (if it’s cheap) but it will be the the flight back that’s a nightmare-stopping over for somewhere at the equivalent of about 4am or so would be the deal breaker I reckon…….
Ah but east bound transatlantic flights are always much quicker so maybe it won’t be too bad once the turnaround is factored in!
It’s only the US flights that start in October, direct flights to Iceland start before summer, March I think.
It’s June actually
They are very sneaky about Baggage costs for flights to Reykjavik.
A cabin bag is free but only up to 5kg. Otherwise you can pay €14.00 for an extra 7kg. So 12kg in total in one bag.
As 5kg is totally useless so it wil cost you €28.00 extra return. They are not really that cheap
Just to clarify for all the guessers :
Dublin_Reykjavik_Boston…….10 hour journey …2 hour stop in Reykjavik..No CBP clearance.
Dublin_Boston direct 7 hours ( AerLingus ) …CBP cleared at Dublin.
Dublin_Reykjavik_Washington… 12 hour journey… 2 hour stop in Reykjavik….No CBP clearance.
Dublin Washington direct ( United Airlines ) ….7 hrs 30 mins..CBP cleared at Dublin.
Take your pick …
I’d rather fly AirAsia, through a thunderstorm.
Unlike direct flights from Ireland, passengers will not be able to pre-clear US customs as the route is via Iceland.
if taking this flight…you will need to clear US customs and border control when landing In Boston/Washington
Pre clearance is not provided on all EI flights from Dublin. My last 2 EI flights have had no pre- clearance and immigration has been done in Boston
When was this? Both Aer Lingus and Dublin Airport sites state that ALL U.S. bound flights from Dublin, no matter what the airline, pre clear in Dublin. Aer Lingus are currently on an advertising roadshow in Britain pushing Dublin as a transfer point for the US and pre clearance is the big selling point.
I would have asked for an explanation if I was you.
@Wayne I have flown from Dublin and Shannon airports in the past 2 years, all flights were to Chicago O’Hare International (on different airlines – US airways,united,aerlingus) each time i cleared immigration before boarding the flight. Pre clearance IS provided to all flights from Dublin/Shannon to the USA.
US pre clearance has been guaranteed on ALL Aer Lingus flights since last summer when the facility was expanded and officer hours increased!
However if a flight suffers a delay it can result in having to clear in the US upon arrival!
There’s 1 flight to Boston, it’s the afternoon flight, those pax NEVER get pre cleared in Dub. The CBP guys are gone home by departure time! I work in the airport so kinda know what I’m talking about here!
howya tony ye big ride ye ! ;)
Liam.. .AL fly twice daily to Boston from Dub…Might have been a while since you flew DUB/Boston…Apparently all US lights departing DUB get CBP clearance….Not sure about Shannon….???
I checked the site. Looks like only 2 flights in 2015???
Very sceptical about this crowd. Asking for fares before flights have even started.
I hope they have a set of flight recorders onboard.
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