It’s an interesting time for aviation in Greenland. We’re witnessing huge investments in the territory’s aviation infrastructure, and as a result, we’re also seeing quite a bit of extra air service there. In early 2025, government-owned Air Greenland announced that it would double its jet fleet.
There’s now an update, as we’re just months from the plane entering service, and we now have a better sense of how this will all play out.
Air Greenland Will Fly Airbus A320neo as of April 2026
Currently, Air Greenland’s fixed-wing fleet consists of nine passenger aircraft, including one Airbus A330-800neo and eight De Havilland Dash 8-200 turboprops (this is in addition to a pretty cool helicopter fleet).
Beyond that, Air Greenland has signed an agreement with leasing company Carlyle to acquire an Airbus A320neo aircraft. This plane is expected to enter service in spring 2027. Currently, the lease agreement runs for six years, with an option to extend that term.
Air Greenland decided to lease the aircraft rather than purchase it directly due to the current timeline for new Airbus jet deliveries, as this allowed the airline to get the plane as soon as possible. This isn’t even a new plane — the airline is acquiring a nearly 10-year-old jet that has flown for Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) since 2016. It had the registration code LN-RGO, and soon it will carry the registration code OY-GRL.
The A320neo will have a technical maintenance base in Copenhagen, which is also where Air Greenland’s A330-800neo is maintained. Pilots and cabin crew will be able to work both the A330 and A320 with the same license, which Air Greenland sees as a significant operational benefit. As a reminder, the A330 is a wide-body jet, while the A320 is a narrow-body jet.
Air Greenland is configuring its A320neo with 168 seats spread across 29 rows in a 3-3 configuration. You can find all the cabin details here. The cabin will feature 18 premium class seats and 150 economy class seats. While premium class offers improved legroom and more attentive service, it’s still in a 3-3 configuration with no blocked middle seats.
Air Greenland Plans to Fly the Airbus A320neo Out of Ilulissat
Air Greenland’s existing Airbus A330-800neo typically flies between Nuuk (GOH) and Copenhagen (CPH). The plan for the A320neo is to also serve Copenhagen, but out of Ilulissat (JAV) in northern Greenland.
We’re currently seeing significant airport expansion projects across Greenland. Up until 2024, Kangerlussuaq (SJF) was Greenland’s gateway airport. While the area doesn’t have a large population and isn’t the primary destination for visitors, it was the only airport capable of handling a jet. Passengers would funnel through there and then take connecting turboprop flights to elsewhere in Greenland.
In late 2024, an expanded airport opened in Nuuk, so that Greenland’s biggest city now also receives the most air service. Next up, Ilulissat is also getting an expanded airport, opening very shortly. Up until now, the airport only had an 880-meter runway capable of handling turboprops, but not jets.
The new Ilulissat runway stretches 2,200 meters and can accommodate jets. The timing works out well, as the aircraft is arriving shortly after the expanded airport opens. Ilulissat is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greenland, so travel there will be greatly simplified for visitors.
Air Greenland has already put flights on sale for its new Ilulissat–Copenhagen service. Flights launch on April 19, 2026, and will operate on the following schedule:
- GL705 Copenhagen to Ilulissat — departing 9:45AM, arriving 11:45AM
- GL706 Ilulissat to Copenhagen — departing 1:15PM, arriving 9:00PM
The 2,125-mile flight is blocked at 5 hours westbound and 4 hours 45 minutes eastbound. Note that Air Greenland will be selling tickets for flights before that launch date, but those earlier flights will be operated by a leased Jettime Boeing 737-800.
Bottom Line
Air Greenland is expanding its jet fleet with an Airbus A320neo, timed to coincide with the opening of the expanded airport in Ilulissat and a new direct link to Copenhagen. The airline will offer a premium cabin on the A320neo, though it’s worth noting that premium class is still in a 3-3 configuration without blocked middle seats — the main benefits are extra legroom and elevated service. For travelers planning a trip to Greenland, the new direct Ilulissat–Copenhagen route represents a meaningful improvement in access to one of the territory’s most visited destinations.
