loftleiðum

Loftleiðir was an Icelandic airline that operated from 1944 to 1973. Its name translates to "air routes" in Icelandic. Founded shortly after World War II, Loftleiðir initially focused on domestic routes within Iceland. However, it soon expanded its operations to international flights, becoming a pioneer in transatlantic travel at a time when such journeys were considerably more complex and expensive.

The airline is perhaps best known for its role in making air travel more accessible. Loftleiðir pioneered low-fare, "no-frills" transatlantic services, offering a more affordable alternative to the established flag carriers. This strategy often involved utilizing longer routes, sometimes with technical stops in Iceland, which contributed to lower operating costs. Passengers often experienced a more relaxed and informal atmosphere on board compared to other airlines.

Loftleiðir operated a fleet that included various propeller-driven aircraft and later, jetliners. The company played a significant role in connecting Iceland to North America and Europe, facilitating tourism and commerce for the island nation. In 1973, Loftleiðir merged with another Icelandic airline, Flugfélag Íslands, to form Icelandair. This merger consolidated Iceland's air transport capabilities under a single entity, which continues to operate today as Icelandair.