HEKLA: Icelandair Retires Hekla Aurora After 31 Years in the Skies

Originally published in Jetstream Magazine by Ejaaz Cadinouche.

An aircraft that has graced the skies for over 31 years has flown its final service.

Icelandair’s Hekla Aurora special livery aircraft has officially been retired. It held the rank as one of the most recognizable liveries in the world, and was created not only as a nod to the mesmerizing northern lights — formally known as Aurora Borealis — but as a campaign to visit Iceland. Specifically, the aircraft was painted to promote the #MyStopover initiative, started by Icelandair to encourage travelers to discover everything Iceland has to offer.

The name Hekla is a traditional Icelandic woman's name and is also the name of one of the volcanoes on the island. This name, combined with Aurora, effortlessly encompasses the Icelandic vibe. Icelandair even installed special LED mood-lighting on board to mimic the glimmer and colors of the northern lights.

The Boeing 757-200, registered TF-FIU, was initially delivered to Spanish flag carrier Iberia in 1994. The airline squeezed 10 years of service out of the aircraft before it was bought by Icelandair in 2004. Icelandair repainted it as Hekla Aurora in 2014.

On October 12, 2025, TF-FIU flew its final flight, taking 140 passengers on a scenic tour around Iceland. The final service graced travelers from as far as Singapore with two hours of the island’s most beautiful sights as a final sendoff for 31 years in the skies.

The 757 has been a fan favorite among aviation enthusiasts and pilots alike ever since its inception in 1983. The aircraft’s superior performance and sports car-like handling characteristics make it a consistently preferred aircraft for pilots who fly or have flown the type. With the 757’s ageing population, they are slowly fading from the skies, with no sight of Boeing updating the type anytime soon.

Video_Onboard_the_Final_Flight_of_Hekla_Aurora

With rumors of an all-new type to replace the 757, the question still remains of whether anything similar in versatility, performance, or beauty will become available in the near future. The A321 has been — and still is — a very fair competitor, and is slowly picking up the slack of the fading 757s. With the introduction of the A321XLR, airlines are turning to a newer, more modern, and more fuel-efficient option. 

The 757 is well-known for its ability to operate out of airports with short runways, difficult surrounding terrain, and limited parking options. Boeing’s replacement will have to rival that of the current type in order for manufacturers to start investing. It seems as though, for now, at least, it may soon be time for a legend to pass on the baton.

Hekla Aurora's retirement symbolizes the closing of a beloved chapter in commercial aviation. For years, TF-FIU carried with it the magic of Iceland's landscapes and the spirit of exploration that the #MyStopover campaign was meant to inspire. Whether Boeing or another manufacturer will create a true successor to the 757 remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Hekla Aurora's story has earned a permanent place in aviation history. It serves as a reminder of how an aircraft can connect continents and turn every journey into something unforgettable.