I spent $1,800 to fly 10 hours in premium class on Icelandair. Here's what the somewhat deluxe experience was like.

Kara WilliamsMay 23, 2023, 03:11 IST

I tried Icelandair's Saga Premium class to see if it was worth the price.Kara Williams

I flew Icelandair premium class for 10 hours & found it's not as deluxe as other long-haul carriers.
I opted to upgrade for more spacious seats, complimentary meals, and included Wi-Fi.

I gave Icelandair's Saga Premium class a try in hopes of finding a good place between business class and basic economy.

On recent long flights to French Polynesia and Thailand, I flew in United Polaris business class with lie-flat seats and loved the decadent, luxurious experience. But it was hard to swallow paying $3,000 or more for such lie-down seats on United or another long-haul carrier when I only had to hop from Denver to Dublin earlier this year.

So, I opted for a less expensive, but still upgraded, seat in Icelandair's Saga Premium class. I didn't have lie-flat seats but still enjoyed plenty of benefits.

Here's what it was like to fly from Denver to Dublin with a stopover in Reykjavik for a total of about 10 hours in the air.

Icelandair's Saga Premium passengers have their own check-in counter at Denver International Airport.

There wasn't a huge line when I arrived.Kara Williams

I bypassed a long line of economy passengers to check in quickly for my flights from Denver to Reykjavik (7 1/2 hours) and Reykjavik to Dublin (2 1/2 hours).

I had one layover during this trip.Kara Williams

The gate agent didn't mention access to a business lounge prior to my flight. I knew was included with my Saga Premium fare so I asked for entry.

My ticket price came with special lounge access.Kara Williams

This airport doesn't have a dedicated Icelandair lounge, so Saga Premium passengers can kick back with free drinks and a complimentary buffet in the United Club.

It was nice to relax a bit in a lounge before my flight.Kara Williams

I was among the first to board the plane – ahead of economy, where the seat configuration for the plane I took was 3-3. Economy seats had 32 inches of legroom.

The economy seats were in groups of three.Kara Williams

Saga Premium seats are 2-2 with 40 inches of legroom. Upon arriving at my aisle seat, I found bottled water, a pillow, a cotton blanket, and an amenity kit.

The amenity kit had an eye mask, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, earplugs, lip balm, hand lotion, and hydrating facial mist.Kara Williams

I was surprised my overstuffed tote bag didn't fit easily under the Saga Premium seats in front of me — perhaps because of the metal footrests in the way.

The footrests stopped my bag from fitting under the seat in front of me.Kara Williams

No worries, though. I slid my bag into the overhead bin and enjoyed a complimentary glass of prosecco before takeoff.

The complimentary drink was a nice touch.Kara Williams

After takeoff, I could enjoy the in-flight entertainment – including movies, TV shows, and music – on the seatback screen, which also had a USB charger.

I used the USB charger as needed.Kara Williams

Noise-canceling headsets that plug into the seatback screen are complimentary for Saga Premium flyers.

It was nice to not pay extra for headphones.Kara Williams

An outlet was also available under my seat for larger electronics.

I'd have needed to use an outlet converter to use this one.Kara Williams

As a Saga Premium passenger, I had free Wi-Fi on my phone and laptop throughout the flight.

The Wi-Fi (understandably) wasn't always reliable over the ocean.Kara Williams

My flight attendant presented a dinner menu and took my order soon after takeoff.

I could choose between two main courses.Kara Williams

The complimentary drink menu included not wines, beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages. I could also choose from an entire gin library or get free snacks and candy.

I had options for my complimentary picks.Kara Williams

The complimentary drink menu included not wines, beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages. I could also choose from an entire gin library or get free snacks and candy.

I opted for a glass of a red blend from Spain that arrived with the yummiest peppery cheese snacks.

I loved the snack I got.Kara Williams

I thought the beef was tough, so I didn't eat much of it, but I devoured the sweet-potato puree and the ancient-grains salad.

The meal came with a few components.Kara Williams

The first leg of my flight was scheduled for 7 1/2 hours, but it seemed to go quicker than that. I watched a movie and slept until the crew started gearing up for morning service.

The flight flew by.Kara Williams

The first leg of my flight was scheduled for 7 1/2 hours, but it seemed to go quicker than that. I watched a movie and slept until the crew started gearing up for morning service.

I opted for a ham-and-cheese croissant served with a side of fruit. The croissant was fine – nothing to write home about.

A fruit cup was also available to order on its own.Kara Williams

I was among the first off the plane to board a shuttle bus to the airport terminal in chilly, rainy Reykjavik.

Those on my plane boarded the shuttle to get to the airport terminal.Kara Williams

My most-appreciated amenity at Keflavik Airport were the private bathroom stalls with their own sinks. There, I regrouped and freshened up after my overnight flight.

I loved having my own space for a moment.Kara Williams

Though I had priority boarding for my connecting flight to Dublin, I ended up at the back of the bus, so I was among the last to board the plane.

I was on the back of the bus partially because I got on it early.Kara Williams

Saga Premium seats on the short 2-1/2-hour flight to Dublin were outfitted with bottled water, pillows, and cotton blankets.

This class of seats was also in clusters of two.Kara Williams

Like with my first international flight, my Saga Premium seat had plenty of legroom and a metal footrest. My tote bag still didn't fit under the seat.

I once again stored my tote bag in the overhead compartments.Kara Williams

My complimentary breakfast was a highlight, I especially liked the tomato frittata and the oatmeal with seeds and fruit.

The fruit came in a covered jar.Kara Williams

Before I knew it, it was time to land. Though I made it through immigration quickly in Dublin, it took 45 minutes for my checked luggage to arrive in the baggage claim.

I spent a while waiting for my suitcase.Kara Williams

That snafu aside, I enjoyed my upgraded service in Icelandair's Saga Premium class. I'm not disappointed I shelled out $1,800 for the one-way flights.

The price tag seemed mostly worth it to me.Kara Williams

One benefit for Icelandair passengers is the carrier's stopover program where you can stay in Iceland for up to seven days for no additional airfare. I plan to take advantage of this on the way home.

On my way to Colorado I'm going to stop at the Blue Lagoon.Kara Williams

One benefit for Icelandair passengers is the carrier's stopover program where you can stay in Iceland for up to seven days for no additional airfare. I plan to take advantage of this on the way home.

I think my Saga Premium return ticket and an upscale hotel stay in Iceland for a day is the ideal splurge to cap off my month-long travels in Ireland and the UK.

I have plans to spend a night at Iceland's Silica Hotel at the Blue Lagoon.Kara Williams

I rode the Train to the Clouds, one of the highest passenger trains in the world. The bird's-eye views made the altitude sickness worth it.

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I spent $1,800 to fly 10 hours in premium class on Icelandair. Here's what the somewhat deluxe experience was like.

Icelandair's Saga Premium passengers have their own check-in counter at Denver International Airport.

I bypassed a long line of economy passengers to check in quickly for my flights from Denver to Reykjavik (7 1/2 hours) and Reykjavik to Dublin (2 1/2 hours).

The gate agent didn't mention access to a business lounge prior to my flight. I knew was included with my Saga Premium fare so I asked for entry.

This airport doesn't have a dedicated Icelandair lounge, so Saga Premium passengers can kick back with free drinks and a complimentary buffet in the United Club.

I was among the first to board the plane – ahead of economy, where the seat configuration for the plane I took was 3-3. Economy seats had 32 inches of legroom.

Saga Premium seats are 2-2 with 40 inches of legroom. Upon arriving at my aisle seat, I found bottled water, a pillow, a cotton blanket, and an amenity kit.

I was surprised my overstuffed tote bag didn't fit easily under the Saga Premium seats in front of me — perhaps because of the metal footrests in the way.

No worries, though. I slid my bag into the overhead bin and enjoyed a complimentary glass of prosecco before takeoff.

After takeoff, I could enjoy the in-flight entertainment – including movies, TV shows, and music – on the seatback screen, which also had a USB charger.

Noise-canceling headsets that plug into the seatback screen are complimentary for Saga Premium flyers.

An outlet was also available under my seat for larger electronics.

As a Saga Premium passenger, I had free Wi-Fi on my phone and laptop throughout the flight.

My flight attendant presented a dinner menu and took my order soon after takeoff.

The complimentary drink menu included not wines, beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages. I could also choose from an entire gin library or get free snacks and candy.

I opted for a glass of a red blend from Spain that arrived with the yummiest peppery cheese snacks.

I thought the beef was tough, so I didn't eat much of it, but I devoured the sweet-potato puree and the ancient-grains salad.

The first leg of my flight was scheduled for 7 1/2 hours, but it seemed to go quicker than that. I watched a movie and slept until the crew started gearing up for morning service.

I opted for a ham-and-cheese croissant served with a side of fruit. The croissant was fine – nothing to write home about.

I was among the first off the plane to board a shuttle bus to the airport terminal in chilly, rainy Reykjavik.

My most-appreciated amenity at Keflavik Airport were the private bathroom stalls with their own sinks. There, I regrouped and freshened up after my overnight flight.

Though I had priority boarding for my connecting flight to Dublin, I ended up at the back of the bus, so I was among the last to board the plane.

Saga Premium seats on the short 2-1/2-hour flight to Dublin were outfitted with bottled water, pillows, and cotton blankets.

Like with my first international flight, my Saga Premium seat had plenty of legroom and a metal footrest. My tote bag still didn't fit under the seat.

My complimentary breakfast was a highlight, I especially liked the tomato frittata and the oatmeal with seeds and fruit.

Before I knew it, it was time to land. Though I made it through immigration quickly in Dublin, it took 45 minutes for my checked luggage to arrive in the baggage claim.

That snafu aside, I enjoyed my upgraded service in Icelandair's Saga Premium class. I'm not disappointed I shelled out $1,800 for the one-way flights.

One benefit for Icelandair passengers is the carrier's stopover program where you can stay in Iceland for up to seven days for no additional airfare. I plan to take advantage of this on the way home.

I think my Saga Premium return ticket and an upscale hotel stay in Iceland for a day is the ideal splurge to cap off my month-long travels in Ireland and the UK.