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Seattle to Reykjavik Jetlag Recovery Guide

Flying eastbound from Seattle to Reykjavik involves a 7-hour timezone shift, rated "3" in difficulty. Expect around 7.8 days for full recovery. Below you will find departure timing tips, a day-by-day recovery plan, and seasonal advice.

SeattleReykjavik

SEA to KEF

Eastbound
+7h timezone shift
6-8 day recovery
5,808 km

Best Departure Times

12am
3am
6am
9am
12pm
3pm
6pm
9pm

Higher bars indicate departure times that minimize jetlag impact. Green = optimal, red = worst.

Flight Options

4

SEAKEF

7h 40m5,808 km2 airlines

Related Jetlag Routes

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Seattle to Reykjavik route

Jetlag from Seattle (SEA) to Reykjavik (KEF) is rated "3". The route involves a 7-hour timezone shift traveling eastbound. Conservative recovery is about 7.8 days.

For eastbound travel, overnight flights arriving in the morning tend to minimize jetlag impact.

Recovery typically takes 7.8 days conservatively, or 5.4 days with aggressive light therapy and melatonin timing. Eastbound travel is harder because your body must advance its internal clock.

Eastbound travel is generally harder for jetlag recovery because it requires advancing your circadian clock, which the body naturally resists. Westbound travel involves delaying your clock, which is more natural. As a rule of thumb, eastbound recovery takes about 1.5 days per hour of shift vs 1 day for westbound.

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Airlines on this route: Alaska (AS)

Flight Options & Recovery Plans

Scheduled flights from Seattle to Reykjavik with estimated jetlag recovery timelines. Departure time significantly affects recovery — earlier or later flights can mean days of difference.

FI FI 680Icelandair
2:35pm
SEA
6:15am
KEF
7h 40m
Airbus A321neo
Recovery timeline2.0 days
D1
D2
0 pre-flight sessions4 in-flight tips2 recovery days
AS AS 354Alaska Airlines
overnight
6:35pm
SEA
9:00am
KEF
7h 40m
Boeing 737 MAX 8
Recovery timeline2.0 days
D1
D2
FI FI 684Icelandair
11:25pm
SEA
2:00pm
KEF
7h 40m
Boeing 737 MAX 8
Recovery timeline2.0 days
D1
D2
FI FI 680Icelandair
3:40pm
SEA
6:15am
KEF
7h 40m
Boeing 737 MAX 8
Recovery timeline2.0 days
D1
D2
FI FI 680Icelandair
3:40pm
SEA
6:15am
KEF
7h 40m
Boeing 737 MAX 8
Recovery timeline2.0 days
D1
D2

Frequently Asked Questions: Seattle to Reykjavik Jetlag

How bad is jetlag from Seattle to Reykjavik?+

Jetlag from Seattle (SEA) to Reykjavik (KEF) is rated "3" with a 7-hour timezone shift traveling eastbound. Conservative recovery estimate is 7.8 days.

What is the best time to fly from Seattle to Reykjavik for jetlag?+

For eastbound travel from Seattle to Reykjavik, overnight flights arriving in the morning tend to minimize jetlag impact.

How long does it take to recover from Seattle to Reykjavik jetlag?+

Recovery from Seattle to Reykjavik jetlag typically takes 7.8 days with a conservative approach or 5.4 days with an aggressive light therapy and melatonin strategy. The 7-hour eastbound shift is harder because your body must advance its clock.

Is eastbound or westbound worse for jetlag?+

Eastbound travel is generally harder for jetlag recovery because it requires advancing your circadian clock, which the body resists. Westbound travel involves delaying your clock, which is more natural. For every hour of timezone shift, eastbound recovery takes about 1.5 days vs 1 day for westbound.