Climb into a small plane at Skaftafell and spend 50 minutes tracing glaciers, glacial lakes and the explosive scars of the Laki fissure from the air. This compact flight puts Vatnajökull’s ice and Laki’s volcanic history into dramatic perspective.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You taxi onto the short runway at Skaftafell, the little Cessna breathing steam as the pilot checks gauges. Within minutes the coast dissolves beneath you and the plane climbs toward a hard, high-white horizon: Skeiðarárjökull pushing like a living glacier out from Vatnajökull. The ice sheet spreads below—crevasses yawning, moulins glittering—then the land opens into black basalt and ragged scars where the Lakagígar fissure runs like an inked seam across the earth.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Fitness Level
No special fitness required; suitable for most travelers who can board small aircraft
Wildlife
History
The Laki (Lakagígar) eruption of 1783–84 was one of the largest basaltic fissure eruptions in recorded history, sending ash and sulfur across Europe and altering climatic patterns and local livelihoods.
Conservation
Vatnajökull’s glaciers and highlands are sensitive to foot traffic and climate change; stick to designated access points, follow park rules and minimize disturbance.
Reserve your spot on the Airplane Sightseeing flight over Laki craters and highland today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Dress in layers
Cabins can be cool and wind can hit on approach; a windproof jacket and thin mid-layer keep you comfortable without bulk.
Bring a fast lens or zoom
High-contrast ice and black lava need a camera that can change focal length quickly—70–200mm is a good all-purpose choice.
Check weight and ID requirements
Operators enforce weight limits for safety; provide accurate weights when booking and bring valid ID for check-in 15 minutes before departure.
Time your flight for calmer air
Morning flights often have smoother conditions and clearer light for photography—book early if you want steady air and good visibility.
Windproof jacket
Protects against chilly cabin drafts and wet weather at the meeting point.
Camera with mid-range zoom (e.g., 24-105mm or 70-200mm)
Captures both wide ice-sheet vistas and tighter shots of crater chains and crevasses.
Warm hat and gloves
Useful if standing outside at the terminal before or after the flight in cooler months.
fall
Motion-sickness remedy
Ginger or over-the-counter medication helps if you’re sensitive to small-aircraft movement.