Icelandair launched their inaugural flight #644 from Washington-Dulles last night with a gate celebration and inaugural flight ceremony from their newest gateway, Washington D.C. Seasonal service from Washington-Dulles International Airport will operate with four non-stop flights a week to Keflavik, Iceland and offer non-stop connections to over 20 destinations in Scandinavia, The United Kingdom and Continental Europe.

During the ceremony Icelandair’s CEO Birkir Holm Gudnasson announced that seasonal service originally scheduled to end in September 2011 will now be extended through January 8, 2012 and will resume in March 2012.

For the large International market around the Baltimore-Washington corridor, Icelandair offers three cabins of premium service featuring new leather seats, personal in-flight entertainment and non-stop flights to the popular destination of Reykjavik, Iceland. Both the leisure and business traveler can enjoy the same amenities with competitive airfare and easy connectivity to Europe.

“The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority welcomes Icelandair to Dulles International Airport.  Now, Washington travelers will have nonstop access to Iceland, a gateway to Europe.  Iceland is a fascinating land of natural attraction, unique towns and villages, and wonderful people.  We expect the travelers of our Region to greatly enjoy this new service,” said Charles D. Snelling, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Airports Authority.

Washington, D.C. will be the latest city added to the 2011 Icelandair schedule that will feature the largest network in Icelandair’s 73 year history.

In addition to Washington, D.C. Icelandair, offers non-stop service to Iceland from Boston, New York-JFK, Seattle, and seasonal service from Minneapolis - St. Paul, Orlando Sanford, Halifax and Toronto. Connections through Icelandair’s hub at Keflavik International Airport are available to over 20 destinations in Scandinavia, the U.K. and Continental Europe. Icelandair also allows passengers to stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare.