This New Direct Flight Opens Doors to Europe’s Hidden Gem

Reaching the Faroe Islands, an archipelago of 18 islands nestled in the North Atlantic, has traditionally been challenging from the U.S., but a new route from New York is transforming that experience.

On August 22, the national airline Atlantic Airways commenced weekly direct flights to Vágar Airport in the Faroe Islands, often referred to as Europe’s hidden gem, from New York Stewart International Airport, just 90 minutes north of Manhattan. This marks the first direct connection to North America in the islands’ history. Previously, travelers typically routed through Copenhagen, with additional seasonal connections from other European cities.

Flight Prices and Timetables

Services to and from Vágar Airport began on August 22 and will conclude for the season on October 4, 2023, aligning with late summer and early autumn in the islands. Looking ahead to next year? Atlantic Airways has already revealed its 2024 schedule, running from September 3 to October 9, 2024. While bookings aren't open yet, the airline anticipates round-trip fares to start around $895.

During the 2023 season, flights to the Faroe Islands depart on Wednesdays at 10:45 a.m. and arrive at 10:05 p.m., while return flights to New York leave on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. and touch down at 6:50 p.m. This schedule allows for six full days and nights to explore the islands, hike ancient trails, capture stunning waterfalls, and embark on boat trips to wildlife-rich areas.

The flight time heading east is approximately 6 hours and 20 minutes, while westbound flights are scheduled for 7 hours and 20 minutes. Nestled between Iceland and the northern coast of the UK, the Faroe Islands operates on Greenwich Mean Time + one hour (GMT+1) in summer and standard GMT in winter.

For travelers departing from New York City without their own vehicles, public transportation is conveniently available to Stewart International Airport. An airport express bus service is synchronized with the flight schedule, connecting NYC to Stewart in roughly 90 minutes, with fares at $25 each way, including Wi-Fi and in-seat power.

What to anticipate when flying with Atlantic Airways

As the main airline serving the Faroe Islands, which is home to nearly 53,000 residents, Atlantic Airways operates a modest fleet of just three aircraft and two helicopters. For this particular route, the airline utilizes an Airbus A320neo, accommodating 174 passengers in a single cabin configuration, with no first-class or premium economy sections. The A320neo represents a significant upgrade over older A320 models, consuming 15 to 20 percent less fuel.

While the flying experience with Atlantic Airways is similar to that of European budget carriers, what passengers might sacrifice in terms of amenities and cabin classes, they gain with a nonstop flight experience. Meals can be purchased on board, and travelers can select from a snack menu or preorder meals, including healthy breakfast options, as well as vegan, gluten-free, and kid-friendly choices. The airline offers a digital entertainment platform, Atlantic Airfi, where passengers can enjoy games, TV shows, movies, and download newspapers and magazines. All fares include checked baggage up to 23 kg (about 50 pounds), and youth discounts are available for travelers under 26.

The primary route for Atlantic Airways connects the Faroe Islands to Copenhagen. Besides the new New York service, the airline also operates year-round flights to Aalborg and Billund in Denmark, along with Reykjavík and Oslo. Seasonal routes include limited services to Edinburgh, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, and Gran Canaria.

Additional indirect routes announced

For travelers in other parts of the U.S. and Canada, more options are on the horizon: Icelandair has announced plans to commence flights to the Faroe Islands from Keflavik International Airport in 2024, providing an exciting opportunity to merge a Faroe Islands getaway with a brief stopover in Iceland. Icelandair currently operates direct flights to Keflavik from 14 North American cities, including Vancouver, Seattle, Portland (OR), Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Orlando, Raleigh-Durham, Baltimore, New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C.

Icelandair’s services will run to Vágar Airport in the Faroe Islands five to six times a week starting in May 2024 and continuing until October 2024. The flight duration from Iceland to the Faroe Islands is approximately 90 minutes. Current round-trip fares from Keflavik Airport to Vágar begin at $342.

What drives the growing interest in the Faroe Islands?

Bogi Nils Bogason, CEO of Icelandair, noted that the increasing interest in visiting the Faroe Islands is a significant factor behind launching this route, stating, “The islands are an exciting destination, and we have observed substantial interest from our global customers in exploring them.”

This rising interest is partly attributed to the world-class hiking, local cuisine, and even surfing opportunities available in the Faroe Islands. (Photography is also a popular attraction.) Additionally, the Faroe Islands have received accolades for their sustainable travel initiatives, especially the “Closed For Maintenance” voluntourism program, held each April.

The Faroe Islands have remained somewhat of a hidden gem for tourism, primarily due to limited connectivity and few chain hotels. Could these new routes signify the dawn of a different era of tourism in the region? Only time will reveal the answer.

Important to note

Travelers from the United States do not require a visa to enter the Faroe Islands. Visitors from countries outside the EU and Schengen Area typically need a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay in the Faroe Islands.

This article was first published in August 2023 and was updated on September 13, 2023, to include new information.