Southwest Airlines and Icelandair have announced plans to officially launch an interline partnership in February, marking a significant shift for Southwest, which has largely avoided airline partnerships in recent decades. The collaboration builds on a memorandum of understanding the two carriers reached in September.

Last month, Icelandair announced new codeshare agreements with Atlantic Airways and Air Greenland at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, aimed at enhancing connectivity across the North Atlantic region. This development will allow passengers to explore destinations in Greenland and the Faroe Islands seamlessly through Icelandair’s hub at Keflavik International Airport.

Even under the best conditions, managing Iceland's Blue Lagoon, a top tourist destination, is challenging. The threat of volcanic eruptions has added complexity, leading to several evacuations since late 2022. Despite this, the Blue Lagoon is advancing ambitious plans to enhance its geothermal spa and expand its hospitality footprint.

Iceland's renowned Blue Lagoon is set to expand its hospitality offerings with the introduction of a second Retreat-branded hotel in the Icelandic highlands by 2027. This new addition will be situated near the Highland Base at Kerlingafjöll, a resort that opened last July, aiming to attract adventure-seekers with its diverse lodging options and geothermal baths.

Iceland has declared a state of emergency following the fourth volcanic eruption in three months on March 16, 2024. The eruption, occurring with little prior warning, has prompted evacuations, including the popular tourist destination, the Blue Lagoon, and threatens the seaside town of Grindavík with lava flows.

Key Points of the Eruption:

Iceland has declared a state of emergency following a volcanic eruption that has damaged key hot water pipes, affecting thousands of residents on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The public has been urged to conserve hot water and electricity as repairs could take days. The eruption, marking the third on the peninsula since December, has raised concerns about the potential impact on other vital pipelines near the Svartsengi power station.

A volcano near the most populated area of Iceland has erupted, emitting flames and lava close to the town of Grindavik. Despite the eruption, travel impacts remain minimal for now, but this could change, particularly if ash and smoke become more prevalent.

Reykjavik, Iceland - The Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland's most renowned geothermal spas, has temporarily closed its doors following a series of approximately 1,400 earthquakes within 24 hours on the Reykjanes peninsula. This seismic activity has raised concerns about a potential volcanic eruption in the area.