Reykjavík rarely tops the list of business class aspirations from the American South, yet those who've routed through Keflavík know it deserves more attention than it gets. There is no nonstop option here: business class from Birmingham to Reykjavík requires a connection, most reliably through Atlanta on Delta or through hubs like Newark or Chicago on United, both of which then link to Icelandair's own metal or codeshare partners for the final leg into KEF. Delta's Delta One suites on its long-haul widebodies offer sliding doors and genuine privacy, a notable upgrade over Icelandair's more modest business class cabin, which on the 757 and 767 fleet still uses recliner-style seats without direct aisle access — worth knowing before you assume "business" means the same product on every carrier.
Having flown this connection multiple times, my preference is routing through Boston or JFK rather than Atlanta when schedules allow, since the shorter overall connection time reduces the fatigue of a full day's travel from Alabama to the North Atlantic. United's Polaris seats, found on its 767 and 777 aircraft, are a strong alternative if your Birmingham departure aligns with a Newark connection, and Polaris lounges at EWR are worth the layover if you have ninety minutes or more. One insider tip that seasoned Iceland travelers rarely share: book the Icelandair segment as early morning arrival into KEF, since customs and baggage claim in the pre-8am window is remarkably fast, letting you reach the Blue Lagoon or a Reykjavík hotel well before the tour buses descend.
Late spring through early autumn — May through September — brings both the best award availability and the added bonus of near-endless daylight for exploring once you land. Because fares and premium cabin space on this routing shift quickly with seasonal demand, setting up automated fare alerts is the smartest way to catch a rare Delta One or Polaris award release before it disappears.
