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New York is getting its 1st-ever flight to these far-flung islands

May 09, 2023
4 min read
Atlantic Airways Airbus A320neo
New York is getting its 1st-ever flight to these far-flung islands
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How does a late summer vacation in the Faroe Islands sound?

Well, Atlantic Airways, the national carrier of the Faroe Islands, is betting that there's enough demand to fill 168 seats to and from New York.

The airline just filed plans over the weekend to commence service between New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) and Vágar Airport (FAE), the sole airport in the Faroe Islands.

The 3,024-mile service, which will operate seasonally once every week, will run from Aug. 22 through Oct. 4 — meaning there will be just 14 flights in each direction — as first seen in Cirium schedules. Flights will be available for sale on May 15, and there's no telling yet how much these flights will cost.

CIRIUM

Atlantic Airways operates a tiny fleet composed of only three Airbus narrow-body jets. The Airbus A320neo that will fly to New York is outfitted in an all-economy configuration, meaning there aren't any premium recliners or lie-flat seats for the roughly six-hour journey.

ATLANTIC AIRWAYS

Eastbound service will operate on Wednesdays, departing SWF at 10:45 a.m. and landing in the Faroe Islands at 10:05 p.m. local time. Westbound service will operate on Tuesdays, departing the Faroe Islands at 4:30 p.m. local time and landing at SWF at 6:50 p.m.

ATLANTIC AIRWAYS

“We are very excited about this new historic route between the Faroe Islands and the U.S. Interest for this new route is very high on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Jóhanna á Bergi, CEO of Atlantic Airways, in a statement.

Assuming the flights launch as planned, this will be the nation's first-ever nonstop to the Faroe Islands. While Atlantic Airways has recently teased the idea of flying to the U.S., it seems that 2023 will be the year that it actually happens.

ATLANTIC AIRWAYS

The Faroe Islands are located in the North Atlantic Ocean and have historically had limited air service due to the Danish territory’s remote location. Vágar Airport is the territory's only airport, and it serves the capital of Torshavn, the largest city in the Faroe Islands.

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While the Faroe Islands may not be that familiar to many Americans, the islands are known for their dramatic landscapes and ecotourism. Perhaps the addition of a new nonstop route will help generate interest in the Faroe Islands, but the once-weekly flight schedule certainly won't be all that helpful for those looking for a quick getaway.

Meanwhile, service to Stewart Airport, which is in Newburgh, New York, represents its own challenges. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages the airport, has been focused recently on expanding the airport's portfolio of routes, which now includes service on Icelandic ultra-low-cost carrier Play, as well as domestic flights on Allegiant and Frontier.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

However, despite recently opening a new international arrivals facility (along with other passenger-experience improvements), Stewart isn't as convenient to New York City as the region's three major airports: LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

The Port Authority partners with Coach USA to offer conveniently timed bus transfers to and from SWF, which is roughly 70 miles away from New York City. Buses depart the Midtown Bus Terminal in Manhattan and arrive in front of Stewart's passenger terminal.

Related reading:

Featured image by ATLANTIC AIRWAYS
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.