Airline News

Say wow to new nonstop flights from DFW Airport to Iceland

WOW is right, check out that signature color.

Photo courtesy of Wow

A groovy new airline flying nonstop to Iceland is coming to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport in 2018. The catchy WOW air will offer non-stop access to Reykjavik, Iceland, with flights going out three times per week on a seasonal basis. WOW air will be the 16th international carrier to serve DFW International Airport.

DFW Airport CEO Sean Donohue says in a release that the airport is pleased to offer another nonstop trans-Atlantic destination, but especially Iceland. "Reykjavik is a popular tourist destination, a growing market for international business and a convenient connecting point to continental Europe," he says.

WOW air, which is very challenging for those who like traditional company names with initial caps, serves 38 destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia. Their goal is to provide the cheapest flights to and from Iceland and across the Atlantic.

It describes itself as a "happy low-fare, long-haul airline based in Iceland." How often do you see airlines describe themselves as "happy?" It also has the greatest signature plum-magenta color, splashed on the planes' exteriors and the flight attendants' uniforms.

WOW air was founded by entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen, whose background is largely in technology and telecoms in Iceland, Europe, and North America. He sits on the board of many tech companies in North America and Europe and was selected Business Man of the Year in Iceland in 2011 and 2016.

"WOW air is thrilled to bring our low-fare, transatlantic flight service to Dallas Fort Worth in May 2018," Mogensen says. "Dallas Fort Worth is a world-class region and we can't wait to give European travelers the opportunity to experience all that Texas has to offer."

WOW air has grown rapidly since its inaugural flight in 2012. The airline carried over 400,000 guests in 2013 and was the most punctual airline in Iceland that year. It is estimated that WOW air's annual passenger capacity will grow from approximately 1.6 million in 2016 to over 3 million in 2017.

The Icelandic low-cost airline stays true to its name by offering select flights to certain European destinations. If you live in St. Louis, Boston, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, San Francisco, or Chicago, you already know that you can visit cities such as Reykjavik, Brussels, and Warsaw for $99.99. Now Dallas-Fort Worth will be able to join that pack.

The airline is no frills. That means no free food, beverages, or entertainment; you can bring your own or buy them on the flight for an additional price.

For airplane buffs, WOW operates a fleet of Airbus planes, and will operate the Airbus A321, the largest member of the Airbus A320 family, for DFW flights.

WOW air service will begin on May 24, 2018 between Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and DFW, with the schedule as follows:

KDF to DFW:
Departs KEF at 9:30 pm Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Arrives DFW at 12:45am Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

DFW to KEF:
Departs DFW at 4:10 pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
Arrives KEF at 4:45 am Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays

The new route will open up more travel choices for DFW customers via the WOW air hub in Reykjavik, which serves 22 destinations in Europe and the Middle East. That includes Dublin, Ireland, which is already anticipating travel to Texas.

transportation traffic

Best of the South

Southern Living lauds Hill Country hotspot among best towns in the South

Photo by Steve Rawls

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The famous German Hill Country town of Fredericksburg is getting the spotlight as a must-visit destination in Southern Living's 2026 South's Best Awards.

Fredericksburg claimed the coveted No. 3 spot in the publication's ranking of the Best Small Towns in the South.

The annual awards are determined through third-party online surveys of Southern Living consumers from July 9 to September 9, 2025. Over 17,000 respondents rated their favorite places across the South, the report said.

The top two best small Southern towns were St. Augustine, Florida (No. 1), and St. Simons Island/Golden Isles, Georgia (No. 2).

Specifically, Southern Living gave a nod to Fredericksburg's growth and the recent addition of The Albert Hotel, which opened in 2025. The Albert Hotel was ranked the 10th best new hotel in 2026.

"The city’s premier full-service luxury hotel revives a cluster of 19th-century landmarks, from a historic saloon to a former pharmacy that is now a cafe, deli, and artisan market," the report said. "Alongside the 105 minimalist guest rooms, a holistic spa and a limestone pool provide moments of quiet relaxation."

We all need a relaxing day poolside at the Albert Hotel pool oasis.Photo by Chase Daniels

As the Fredericksburg area grows, Southern Living said, it still maintains its cozy, small-town feel.

"Fredericksburg still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, evident throughout Main Street architecture and a lively cluster of biergartens and long-running seasonal festivals," Southern Living wrote. "Wine lovers will feel particularly at home thanks to more than 100 wineries and tasting rooms scattered throughout town and the surrounding countryside."

It's no wonder Southern Living decided to locate its 2026 Idea House there.

Popular events like the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival and locally focused programs like the Texas Hill Country Wineries wine passports draw in crowds from all parts of Texas. The town is about a five-hour drive from downtown Dallas, which makes it a great weekend or spring break escape. North Texas travelers might even spot small patches of bluebonnets during their road trip through the Hill Country.

No matter which route you take, travelers should make a pit stop through another small Texas town called Marble Falls, which is home to one of Southern Living's most legendary Southern restaurants: Blue Bonnet Cafe. According to the report, its longstanding staff members embody the idea of "southern hospitality" every day.

"There’s one real reason the Blue Bonnet Cafe is so widely respected: The folks who run the place have been holding this small-town diner to high standards for years," the report said.

Blue Bonnet Cafe opened in 1929 and was later bought by the Kemper family in 1981, who still own and operate it today. Southern Living recommends ordering one of the blue plate specials, and a slice of pie is a mandatory treat.

"With 15 options — from luxuriously creamy to bright and fruity — you’re guaranteed to find one you’ll love," the report said.

Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, Texas Ordering a slice of pie is a requirement, not a suggestion.Blue Bonnet Cafe - Marble Falls, TX/Facebook

The only other Texas destination to earn recognition in Southern Living's annual awards was the iconic Franklin Barbecue in Austin, which was crowned the best barbecue joint in Texas by the publication's readers.

"Fans from around the world queue up for hours to experience the craftsmanship that has made Franklin a barbecue celebrity," the report said. "Flawless prime-grade brisket with a sweet, tangy glaze is still the showstopper here, and it’s accompanied by the quintessential Central Texas lineup of pork ribs, turkey, and jalapeño-Cheddar sausage."

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