from Skaftafell Terminal

AIRPLANE TOURS

Airplane Tours from Skaftafell 

Lift off on a 15-minute flight from Skaftafell Terminal and get a thrilling first taste of Iceland from the air. This short local tour offers sweeping views of glaciers, Iceland’s highest peak, and black-sand plains — the perfect introduction to flightseeing.

 What to Expect
 - Fly over Vatnajökull’s outlet glaciers, with their icy ridges spilling into the valley below.
 - Admire the slopes of Öræfajökull Volcano, Iceland’s tallest mountain.
 - Spot the summit of Hvannadalshnjúkur (2,110 m), Iceland’s highest peak.
 - Look out over sweeping black-sand plains and glacial riverbeds, shaped by floods and ice.
 - Return over Skaftafell’s rugged ridges before touching down.

Why Choose This Tour
Perfect if you’re short on time but don’t want to miss the chance to fly. This tour gives you a powerful snapshot of Skaftafell’s glaciers, Iceland’s highest peak, and black sands in just 15 minutes.

Scenic Skaftafell Airplane Tour — Glaciers, Peaks & Black Sands

Scenic Airplane flight around Skaftafell National Park

Take off from Skaftafell Terminal on a **30-minute flight** and experience Vatnajökull up close. Follow the glacier edges, soaring past fractured icefalls, winding valleys, and the dramatic calving fronts where icebergs break into shimmering lagoons. Fly above Svínafellsjökull - a spectacular outlet glacier featured in _Interstellar_, _Game of Thrones_, and _Batman Begins_ - before tracing the icy ridges back toward Skaftafell. 

######   
**What to Expect** 

- Fly into a glacier valley toward Skeiðarárjökull.
- Pass over Svínafellsjökull, one of Iceland’s most iconic filming locations, featured in Interstellar, Game of Thrones, and Batman Begins. Its jagged ice formations and dramatic glacier scenery have made it a favorite backdrop for Hollywood productions.
- Circle past the calving glacier fronts, where towering blocks of ice break off into shimmering waters.
- Take in sweeping views of Öræfajökull outlet glaciers before returning.

###### **Why Choose This Tour** 

A short yet unforgettable journey into Iceland’s frozen wilderness. Perfect for travelers eager to see mighty glacier outlets, calving icebergs, and world-famous filming locations - all from the air.

Glacier Edge Airplane Tour — Icefalls & Calving Fronts 

Take off on a up to 45-minute flight from Skaftafell Terminal and discover the raw contrasts of Iceland’s south coast. From above, the vast black-sand plains of Skeiðarársandur and the intricate networks of braided glacial rivers create a living artwork, framed by towering glaciers and cliffs. 

  
###### **What to Expect** 

Fly over Skeiðarársandur, the world’s most extensive glacial outwash plain, shaped by volcanic eruptions and glacial floods. 

Trace the mesmerizing patterns of braided rivers as they wind their way toward the sea. 

Admire the dramatic cliffs of Lómagnúpur, one of Iceland’s most iconic landmarks, rising steeply from the plains. 

Pass by Skeiðarárjökull Glacier, where the ice meets the sands in a stark collision of natural forces. 

Enjoy sweeping views of the Atlantic coastline before returning to Skaftafell. 

  
###### **Why Choose This Tour**

This flight showcases Iceland’s most striking natural contrasts: endless black sands, glacial rivers, towering cliffs, and massive glaciers.

  
> Please note that this is not a dedicated photo flight.  
> For information about our photography flights, contact us at [info@flightseeing.is](mailto:info@flightseeing.is).

Black Sands & Riverbeds Airplane Tour - Glacial Rivers & Skeiðarársandur 

Airplane tour over black sands and riverbeds from Skaftafell

Embark on a **up to 50-minute flight** from Skaftafell Terminal to the legendary Laki Crater chain. Formed during the catastrophic eruption of 1783–1784, this 25 km-long fissure carved hundreds of craters across the highlands. From above, you’ll trace Vatnajökull’s icy outlets, sweep over moss-covered lava flows, and admire rugged volcanic ridges - a vivid glimpse into Iceland’s fiery heart. 

  
###### **What to Expect** 

- Cross the outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull, watching their icy tongues stretch into the lowlands.
- Fly above the vast Laki Crater chain, with its line of nearly 140 craters extending across the highlands.
- Admire the moss-covered lava fields and rugged volcanic scars that testify to Iceland’s fiery past.
- Pass over the dramatic Súlutindar peaks and surrounding ridges before turning back toward Skaftafell.

  
###### **Why Choose This Tour:** 

Perfect for travelers fascinated by Iceland’s volcanic history, this flight reveals the dramatic contrasts of ice and fire - from shimmering glaciers and vast crater chains to mossy lava fields born of one of Iceland’s most powerful eruptions.

Laki Craters and Surroundings Airplane Tour

Airplane Sightseeing flight over Laki craters and highland

Take off from Skaftafell Terminal on an **up to 50-minute flight** showcasing the dramatic contrasts of South Iceland. Glide above sparkling glacier lagoons, trace the icy tongues of Vatnajökull’s mighty glaciers, and admire Skaftafell’s colorful volcanic ridges - with views of Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur. This panoramic journey reveals Skaftafell’s hidden gems - a landscape shaped by fire and ice. 

  
###### **What to Expect** 

- Fly across Vatnajökull Glacier and several outlet glaciers, their crevassed ice stretching far into the lowlands.
- Look down at glacier lagoons, where icebergs drift across bright waters before making their way toward the sea.
- Admire the local colorful volcanic mountains of Skaftafell, formed by subglacial eruptions. Black basalt veins cut through pale palagonite ridges, creating vivid color contrasts unique to this area.
- Spot Hvannadalshnjúkur (2,110 m), Iceland’s highest peak, towering above the Öræfajökull ice cap.

######   
**Why Choose This Tour:** 

Discover Skaftafell’s most striking contrasts from above — glittering lagoons, sculpted glaciers, and the vivid volcanic mountains that frame Iceland’s highest summit. Perfect for travelers seeking a short but unforgettable overview of Iceland’s glacier heartland.

Lagoons, Glaciers & Colorful Mountains Airplane Tour — Skaftafell’s Peaks & Hidden Gems 

Airplane flight over glacier lagoons and Iceland's highest peak

**Examples of possible sites:**

Skaftafell Terminal 

Glaciers: Svínafellsjökull, Skaftafellsjokull, Skeiðarárjökull, Síðujökull

Lakagígar crater chain

Nameless crater - photographers favourite

Langisjór - 20 km long lake up in highlands

River deltas, Riverbeds - Tungná 

Landmannalaugar - colorful mountains valley

Black Laugahraun lava field

Eldgjá, the largest volcanic canyon in the world and the largest [effusive eruption](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effusive%5Feruption) in recent history

Rauðhólar - red volcanic craters 

Lómagnúpur

Skaftafell Terminal
  
  
**From highland nature reserves to serene lakes and volcanic craters, this is an epic journey of aerial sightseeing, exploring the vast wilderness of Iceland‘s unspoiled highlands.**

On arrival at Skaftafell Terminal please check in at our reception, there you will meet with your pilot that will go over the flight route and perform a safety briefing before the flight. From our base at Skaftafell Terminal, we fly westbound towards the highlands, flying over Skeiðarárjökull, one of many outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull, Europe‘s largest glacier, on the way over to Lakagígar craters, Landmannalaugar and more. 

From Skeiðarárjökull glacier we fly over Lakagígar crater chain. A 25 km long row of about 135 craters, formed in the years 1783-1784, during one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. During the 8-month eruption period, it is estimated it poured out 42 billion tons (14 km3) of basalt lava and clouds of poisonous gases and ash led to the death of 50% of Iceland's livestock and a third of the Icelandic nation died. Furthermore, the eruption in Lakagígar and its aftermath has been linked to some global events. 

From Lakagígar we fly over to Landmannalaugar, the beautiful valley nestled right alongside the black Laugarhraun lava field, a large field of dried magma that formed in an eruption in 1477\. Landmannalaugar is mostly known for its natural geothermal baths like the name suggests, the „people‘s pool“. These natural geothermal baths along with the unique windswept rhyolite mountains, with their various shades of pink, green, blue and golden yellow make this area amazing for snapping some photos from the air.

On our way back to Skaftafell, the black volcanic ash fields, mountain lakes, and glacial rivers provide even sharper color contrasts. You‘ll feel like you‘re flying in the middle of a beautiful painting. We fly over Eldgjá, the largest volcanic canyon in the world which dwarfs even Lakagígar in lava volume. The canyon is thought to have formed during a massive eruption in 934 that lasted for a couple of months. 

During the flight, you might also get to see Langisjór, a 20 km long lake up in highlands, 670 m above sea level, Skeiðarárjökull glacier, Síðujökull glacier along with many beautiful spots west of Mýrdalsjökull glacier. 

Once we land back at Skaftafell Terminal, we hope you got the chance to snap some nice photos and get a glimpse of the magical and diversified landscape the Iceland highland has to offer.

Landmannalaugar & Highland Wonders Airplane Tour — Glaciers, Crater Chains & Rainbow Mountains 

Airplane sightseeing flight over Landmannalaugar and the highland

**Examples of possible sites:**

Skaftafell Terminal

Glaciers: Svínafellsjökull, Skaftafellsjokull, Skeiðarárjökull, Síðujökull

Lakagígar crater chain

Nameless crater - photographers favourite

Langisjór - 20 km long lake up in highlands

River deltas, Riverbeds - Tungná

Landmannalaugar - colorful mountains valley

Torfajökull

Mælifell - Lonely Mountain

Eldgjá, the largest volcanic canyon in the world and the largest [effusive eruption](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effusive%5Feruption) in recent history

Rauðhólar - red volcanic craters

Lómagnúpur

Núpsvotn Riverbeds 

Skaftafell Terminal

  
**Two of our most popular tours; 'Landmannalaugar from Above' and 'Riverbeds' combined in one jam-packed epic up to 90 minutes air tour from Skaftafell Terminal!**

On arrival at Skaftafell Terminal please check in at our reception, there you will meet with your pilot that will go over the flight route and perform a safety briefing before heading out to the airplane. After take-off, we head straight on over to Vatnajökull glacier, Europe’s largest glacier flying past Skaftafell National Park and Morsárdalur glacier canyon. 

We head on over to Lakagígar crater chain and Landmannalaugar. 

Lakagígar crater chain is a 25 km long row of about 135 craters, formed in the years 1783-1784, during one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. During the 8-month period the system was erupting, it is estimated it poured out 42 billion tons (14 km3) of basalt lava and clouds of poisonous gases and ash led to the death of 50% of Iceland's livestock and a third of the Icelandic nation died. Furthermore, the eruption in Lakagígar and its aftermath has been linked to some global events. Today most of Lakagígar crater chain is covered in moss, giving them an out of this world appearance combined with the red and black rocks.

From Lakagígar we fly over to Landmannalaugar, the beautiful valley nestled right alongside the black Laugarhraun lava field, a large field of dried magma that formed in an eruption in 1477\. Landmannalaugar is mostly known for its natural geothermal baths like the name suggests, the „people‘s pool“. These natural geothermal baths along with the unique windswept rhyolite mountains, with their various shades of pink, green, blue and golden yellow make this area amazing for snapping some photos. On our way back to Skaftafell we fly over Eldgjá, the largest canyon in the world, approx. 40 km long, 270 m deep and 600 m wide at its greatest. The canyon is thought to have formed during a massive eruption in 934 that lasted for a couple of months. While Icelandic records about the effects of the eruption are sparse, paleoclimate proxies and historical records from China, Europe and the Islamic world describe widespread impacts on the Northern Hemisphere’s climate. The Eldgjá eruption produced a noticeable cooling of the climate, with resulting cold winters and food crises across Eurasia.

During the flight, you might also get to see Langisjór, a 20 km long lake up in highlands, 670 m above sea level, Skeiðarárjökull glacier, Síðujökull glacier along with many beautiful spots west of Mýrdalsjökull glacier and famous lonely mountain - Mælifell.

On the way you will see many riverbeds - river deltas - photographers favourite.

Once back at Skaftafell Terminal, we hope you got the chance to snap some nice photos and get a glimpse of the magical and diversified landscape the Iceland highland has to offer.