- Mr Plane Guy
- 15 hours ago
- 7 min read
easyJet Flight Review: Manchester to Reykjavik, Cheap and Cheerful or Just Cheap?
By Mr Plane Guy, Plane Honest Travel & Loyalty Insights
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and book, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog flying high.
Why This Flight Matters (And Why Iceland Isn’t Cheap)
So, it was my sister’s 50th birthday, and we decided to celebrate properly. Not just dinner… not just a weekend away…
Somewhere a bit different. Somewhere that felt like an adventure.
And somehow, we landed on Iceland.
Which sounds great in theory… until you start looking at prices.
Because here’s the reality:
“Iceland” and “cheap” don’t usually belong in the same sentence.
And honestly… they still don’t once you land.
Plane Tip: Take twice as many clothes… and twice as much money. You’ll need both.
But getting there?
That’s where easyJet came in.
Cheap, cheerful, slightly chaotic… but if you do it right, it can actually be a smooth (and surprisingly enjoyable) start to an epic Iceland adventure. This Manchester to Reykjavik flight is one of the most popular cheap routes to Iceland from the UK.
My Route: Manchester to Reykjavik (easyJet Holidays Iceland Deal)
Route: Manchester → Reykjavik (Keflavik Airport)
Airline: easyJet
Booking: easyJet Holidays
Hotel: Grandi by Center Hotels
Trip: 4 nights
Total price: £1,047 (for 2 people)
This included:
Flights
Hotel (bed & breakfast, essential in Iceland)
Checked luggage
Plane Honest Truth: For Iceland, this is a very solid deal and a good example of how easyJet holidays to Iceland can offer real value.
The easyJet Experience, Cheap Flights to Iceland Without the Stress
Let’s address the stereotype. easyJet usually means:
Middle seat misery
Tiny bag stress
Overpriced airport food
Fighting for overhead locker space
It can be like that…
…but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what I did differently:
Extra legroom seats
Checked luggage included
Airport parking right next to the terminal
Lounge access before the flight
And suddenly, it didn’t feel like budget travel anymore.
It felt like low-cost travel done properly.
Plane Tip: remember to take a photo of your car and where it is, 4 days later and a little jet lag and you won't remember!
Manchester Airport, Parking, Lounges and a Better Start
If you’ve ever done a budget airline trip the hard way, you’ll know the drill:
Stressful train
Packed terminal
Nowhere to sit
Expensive food
This time was different. I parked right next to the terminal. I walked straight into the Terminal and headed to the Aspire Lounge. That start at the airport changed the entire tone of the trip.
Food
Car sorted, parked close by and safe
Delicious Food and free flowing Drinks
Quiet time, No chaos, No rushing.
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The Flight Smooth, Slightly Late and Very easyJet
The outbound flight was slightly delayed due to late aircraft arrival. Nothing unusual.
But to be fair:
Communication was clear
Updates were regular
We had:
Extra legroom seats
An empty middle seat
And honestly, it was a very comfortable flight.
There’s no WiFi and no built-in entertainment, but for a short flight to Iceland, it’s not an issue if you come prepared.
I downloaded a few series on my phone beforehand and used a simple phone holder that clips onto the seat in front. It turns your phone into a proper screen and makes a big difference on flights like this.
easyJet Baggage Allowance, What You Need to Know
One of the biggest advantages of booking through easyJet Holidays is baggage.
Checked luggage was included, which made things much easier.
I used my Cabin Max Anode suitcase (the same one I use on every easyJet flight), and it was more than enough for four days.
easyJet Cabin Bag Rules
Small underseat bag included
Large cabin bag available with upgrades
Checked baggage included with holiday packages or paid separately
If you’re unsure about baggage rules, see:
Arrival in Iceland Keflavik Airport (Reykjavik Airport Guide)
Landing in Iceland is a moment in itself.
Black lava fields, snow-covered ground, and almost no signs of life… then suddenly, Keflavik Airport appears.
The airport is:
Small
Efficient
Easy to navigate
From there, it’s about a 45-minute transfer into Reykjavik city.
Driving past Iceland in Iceland was not on my bucket list!
The Return Flight, Chaotic Queues and a Stormy Departure
The return journey was a bit more intense.
Large crowds
Multiple flights boarding in the same area
Very little clarity on queues
At times, it genuinely felt like no one knew where they were supposed to be.
This is where preparation helped.
I had podcasts and audiobooks downloaded through an Audible trial, which made a big difference while waiting, during taxi, and even during take-off delays.
Then a storm hit.
We were one of the last flights out before the airport closed.
After de-icing, we finally departed.
Long flight, airport queues, delays… sorted. Grab Audible’s 30-day free trial, download a couple of audiobooks, and make your trip feel a whole lot shorter.
and make your next trip a breeze.
Plane Honest Truth: A bit chaotic, but not unusual and not something that would stop me flying easyJet again.
easyJet + Smart Upgrades = The Best Way to Do Cheap Flights
Most people get this wrong.
They go as cheap as possible and end up with a stressful experience, no space, and expensive airport food.
The smarter approach is simple:
Cheap… but done properly.
For this trip, a few upgrades made a big difference:
Extra legroom seating
Checked luggage included
Lounge access
Airport parking close to the terminal
The result was a much smoother and more enjoyable travel experience.
Want Cheap easyJet Flight Deals?
I don’t just review the flights, I track the fares too.
If you want mistake fares, flash sales and easyJet deals from the UK delivered to your inbox for £1, this is the tool I personally use.
Upgrade Your Airport Experience
Using Priority Pass for lounge access can often be better value than buying food at the airport.
Priority Pass Access at Manchester Airport
Priority Pass gives you entry to over 1,800+ airport lounges worldwide, including of course Manchester Airport and Aspire Lounge in Terminal 1 & 2.
Consider easyJet Plus
If you fly regularly, this can remove a lot of the usual budget airline stress.
Read: easyJet Plus Card Review 2026
easyJet Related Guides You’ll Find Useful
If you’re flying easyJet more, these will help:
Book Iceland Hotels with Breakfast
I stayed at Grandi by Center Hotels in Reykjavik, and it was an excellent base for exploring Iceland.
In Iceland, breakfast really matters. Food is expensive, and having a solid breakfast each morning saves both time and money.
If you want the full breakdown, read my review here:👉 Grandi by Center Hotels Reykjavik review
Why Book Iceland Hotels with Hotels.com?
You’ll earn One Key rewards on your booking, meaning part of your Iceland trip can help pay for your next one.
Book Tours in Advance
Iceland is not a cheap destination once you arrive.
Pre-booking activities like:
Northern Lights tours
Golden Circle tours
Whale watching
can save money and guarantee availability.
FINAL BOARDING CALL
Verdict: Worth it
Cabin Class: Low-cost done right
Would I Pay Again: Yes
Who This Is For
Travellers looking for cheap flights to Iceland
First-time visitors to Reykjavik
Budget travellers who still want a smooth experience
Who Should Divert
Luxury-focused travellers
Those who dislike queues and busy boarding areas
Full-service airline loyalists
Plane Honest: easyJet is cheap, but it doesn’t have to feel cheap.
With a few smart upgrades, the experience becomes significantly better and that’s what turned this into an epic Iceland trip from the moment I left Manchester.
Plane Related Iceland Guides
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading easyJet Flight Review: Manchester to Reykjavik, Cheap and Cheerful or Just Cheap?
Airport lounges, free upgrades, travel chaos and the occasional meltdown. Real travel, not influencer nonsense.
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