Unauthorised low flyover marks Icelandair pilot’s final flight

An Icelandair Boeing 757 performed an unauthorised low-altitude flyover of Vestmannaeyjar during a scheduled flight from Frankfurt, alarming residents on the ground.

The manoeuvre—estimated at around 100 metres altitude—was carried out by the captain as a personal farewell on his final flight. The airline confirmed the action was not approved and described it as a serious breach of standard operating procedures.

Icelandair has launched an internal investigation to review flight data and determine the exact circumstances. While the captain holds ultimate authority onboard, the airline emphasised that such deviations from regulated procedures are not acceptable and are not standard practice, even on retirement flights.