Getting to Greenland from North America is neither a quick nor a straight-forward affair. North American travelers keen to visit the biggest island in the world first have to fly to Denmark (Copenhagen) or Iceland (Keflavik) and then connect to Greenland (Nuuk). That is until the end of June when a new flight will finally link North America and Greenland directly.
Photo: Markus Mainka/Shutterstock
This New Flight Is the Only Direct Way to Get to Greenland From North America
Starting June 26, 2024, Air Greenland will fly directly between Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, and Iqaluit, Canada. Iqaluit is the capital of the territory of Nunavut which is located in Northern Canada. This new flight will be the only direct way to get to Greenland from North America.
Iqaluit being a remote location, Air Greenland is partnering with Canadian airline Canadian North to make sure that travelers can seamlessly connect to and from other air travel hubs such as Ottawa, Montreal, and Kuujjuaq in Northern Quebec.
Thanks to the collaboration between the two airlines, and to make things easier for travelers, you can purchase your flights between Ottawa/Montreal/Kuujjuaq/Iqaluit and Nuuk by visiting just one website: either Air Greenland’s or Canada North’s.
There will be one weekly flight between Nuuk and Iqaluit every Wednesday. The flight, which will be operated by one of Air Greenland’s signature red-and-white Dash-8 aircrafts (a twin turboprop), will take only two hours.
According to Air Greenland, the starting price for a flight between Nuuk and Iqaluit is $287 (DKK 1,995 or 395 CAD).
The new flight route will be open until October 23, 2024, when tourism season ends; however, there’s a chance the route might expand if enough travelers take advantage of this new direct flight.
Citizens of the United states and citizens of Canada do not need a visa to enter Greenland; however, visa-exempt foreign nationals (except US citizens) do need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada by air. 