What Was Play Airlines: Your Gateway to Affordable Journeys

Editor's note: PLAY Airlines ceased operations and shut down permanently on September 29, 2025. The airline canceled all flights immediately and entered insolvency proceedings. This article is preserved as a historical account of the airline while it was operating and is no longer a current, actionable travel guide. Fare, booking, and policy details below reflect how PLAY operated prior to its shutdown and should not be relied upon for travel planning.

Key takeaways

• PLAY was an Iceland-based ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) offering budget-friendly flights between North America and Europe with connections through Iceland. It operated under a no-frills model, with additional fees for services like baggage and seat selection.
• PLAY offered low base fares but did not include amenities such as in-flight entertainment, free meals, or Wifi. It served major European capitals year-round and offers seasonal routes, with flights primarily operating through its hub at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland.
• PLAY had a single fare type that included only transportation and a personal item. Passengers could pay for carry-on and checked baggage, as well as seat selection, required for specific seating arrangements.
• PLAY did not provide phone support but was available through social media or email. It offered limited flexibility for flight changes and cancellations, with some flexibility for COVID-19-related changes, but typically did not issue refunds without cancellation protection.
• While Going's standard is to not provide deals for ULCCs, we did occasionally send our members deals on PLAY when the price was right. A Going membership ensures you get the lowest possible deals on full service airlines, such as Delta, American, United, and much more, meaning you always get the highest quality service at the lowest price. 

Every few years, it seems, another ultra-low-cost airline flies from Iceland, connecting passengers between Europe and North America while also bringing visitors to Iceland. PLAY was the latest entrant in this space. PLAY was an Iceland-based ultra-low-cost carrier that began flying between Iceland and Europe in 2021. Service to North America began in April 2022. This PLAY airline review covers essential information about how the airline operated during its four years of service.

What was PLAY?

PLAY was an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC). It’s a model that’s not uncommon around the globe. Base fares cover transportation, while everything else is available for an additional fee. ULCC travel is ideal for cost-conscious passengers whose travel plans are concrete and aren’t concerned about even the most basic of frills. 

Many non-ULCC carriers that competed with PLAY offered fare types with similar restrictions on baggage, seat assignments, and changing or refunding a ticket. When comparing fares between PLAY and non-ULCC competitors, it was important to compare like-for-like and make value comparisons for the rest.

For example, PLAY did not offer inflight entertainment or free inflight meals and drinks, while other airlines with similarly restricted fares may still have provided these at no cost. So, when considering whether PLAY was a good airline, it was worth comparing not only fare restrictions but also the onboard experience and overall travel duration. PLAY flights between North America and Europe transited through Iceland, leading to longer travel times than competing carriers flying nonstop.

What we loved about PLAY: 

• Low fares, both to Iceland and onward to Europe
• No complicated fare categories or bundling
• Conveniently timed connections to Europe via Keflavik

What we didn't love about it:

• Zero frills (no wifi, no entertainment, no onboard power outlets on some planes)
• Confusing, nonrefundable fees
• Few options for flights that were delayed or canceled
• Passengers needed to create an account to book or view seat and baggage fees for their itinerary beyond the schedule and base fare

Examples of cheap flights Going found on PLAY

• Baltimore nonstop to Iceland for $280 roundtrip
• New York Stewart Airport to Berlin for $285 roundtrip
• Boston to Paris for $292 roundtrip

Flights don’t have to break the bank! Discover smart strategies on how to find cheap flights and book at the lowest prices.

About PLAY

• Founded in: Reykjavik, Iceland
• Hub cities: One–Keflavik International Airport, Iceland
• Fleet: 4 A320neo and A321neo aircraft
• Subsidiaries: None
• CEO: Birgir Jónsson
• Alliance: None
• Nonstop routes: 26 international
• Safety rating: Not specified
• On-time rating: Not specified
• Nationality: Icelandic
• International classes of service: Economy
• Customer Service: PLAY didn't have a phone number but could be messaged on Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, or emailed directly at [email protected]‍
• Flight Status
• Official Site
• Twitter
• Wikipedia

A brief history of PLAY 

PLAY was founded in 2019 by executives from WOW Air, a similar Icelandic airline that had gone bankrupt and ceased operations that same year. PLAY commenced service from Iceland to Europe in the summer of 2021, and announced US destinations in late 2021, with service beginning in April 2022. 

Where PLAY flew

PLAY sold flights from four US destinations to Keflavik Airport in Iceland: 

• Boston Logan
• New York Stewart International Airport
• Baltimore/Washington International
• Orlando International Airport

Passengers could connect to PLAY’s European flights from Keflavik, which served major European capitals year-round: 

• London (Stansted)
• Brussels
• Prague
• Copenhagen
• Paris (Charles de Gaulle)
• Berlin
• Dublin
• Amsterdam
• Lisbon
• Madrid
• Malaga
• Palma de Mallorca
• Tenerife
• Gothenburg

Seasonally, PLAY also served: 

• Salzburg
• Stuttgart
• Bologna
• Stavanger
• Trondheim
• Alicante
• Barcelona
• Las Palmas

PLAY’s hub

PLAY’s sole hub was at Iceland’s Keflavik Airport. 

Tips for booking a PLAY flight

PLAY fare types

PLAY had only one fare type—the base fare. This fare included transportation and a personal item that could fit under the seat in front and weighed less than 10 kilos / 22 pounds. Nothing else was included in the base fare. 

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Baggage fees on PLAY

PLAY charged fees for both carry-on and checked baggage, and the charges applied per flight, so passengers making connections to European flights at Keflavik Airport would pay the fee for both flights in their itinerary (the fees for connecting flights were combined into a single fee per one-way trip). 

The lowest fees were available during the booking process. Baggage can also be added to a booking after booking online or via a service center (which charged a separate fee), during online check-in, or at the airport ticket counter, which is the highest-fee option. 

The fees were nonrefundable and non-transferable even if unused. 

Seat selection fees on PLAY

PLAY charged fees for pre-assigned seats. If passengers chose not to have seats assigned in advance, they would be randomly assigned at check-in, and PLAY could not guarantee passengers in a party would be seated together unless they chose to pre-book a seat assignment. 

Children were seated next to at least one adult in their reservation if their seats were not pre-booked, but other adults on the reservation may have been seated elsewhere. 

Seat assignments were the lowest price during the booking process, and the price graduated higher until airport check-in. Standard seat pitch ranges from 29” to 30”, while extra legroom seats, which could be pre-booked for a higher fee, ranged from 32” to 35”.

Fees on PLAY

• Carry-on bag: From $26 to $69 per direction, depending on the length of flight, season (“High” and “Low” Season fees applied to/from the US), and whether the fee was paid at booking, after booking, or at the airport. Each passenger occupying a seat could carry on and pay fees for one bag (in addition to the personal item included in the ticket price, one airport duty-free shopping bag, and any medical devices or medication), and the weight limit was 12 kilos/26 pounds.
• Checked bag: From $32 to $89 per direction for bags up to 20 kilos/44 pounds, depending on the length of flight, season (“High” and “Low” Season fees applied to/from the US), and whether the fee was paid at booking, after booking, or at the airport. Bags over 20 kilos/44 pounds and up to 32 kilos/70 pounds could be checked for a higher fee. Bags over 32 kilos/70 pounds were not accepted. Each passenger occupying a seat could check and pay fees for up to three bags. 
• Seat selection: $4–$50 depending on the seat. There was a premium charge for extra legroom seats. Seat fees were applicable for each flight. Otherwise, seats were randomly assigned at check-in. 
• Food: Nonalcoholic drinks from 3€, alcoholic drinks from 8€, snacks and chocolate from 3€, instant oatmeal or noodles 5-6€, sandwiches/wraps 9€, sandwich/chocolate/soda combo 12€
• Wifi: Not available

Looking to cut travel costs? Learn how to save money on flights and stretch your budget further.

How to book a stopover in Iceland on PLAY

All PLAY flights from the US to Europe go through Iceland, so it’s tempting to want to add a short stay in the Land of Fire and Ice. But unlike Icelandair, PLAY didn't have an official stopover program. PLAY priced point-to-point, so passengers wishing to stopover in Iceland would need to purchase separate one-way tickets to/from Keflavik Airport for the desired dates of their stopover. 

What it was like flying on PLAY 

Checking in

Unless prohibited by local regulation, PLAY offered online check-in up to 24 hours prior to departure. Passengers could check in online to receive a boarding pass, which they could scan to print a baggage tag at the airport before dropping off their bags. Passengers without checked luggage could proceed directly to the departure gate after having their documents checked at the help desk to verify COVID-19 entry requirements were met for their destination country.

Lounge access

PLAY did not operate lounges, and did not facilitate or sell lounge access. 

Boarding

Passengers who purchased carry-on bags received priority boarding, followed by other passengers. Carry-on bags were monitored at the gate, and passengers who attempted to board with carry-ons in excess of their allowance were charged the applicable fees. 

One duty-free shopping bag acquired in the airport, medications, and medical equipment did not count toward the personal item or carry-on limit. 

The onboard experience 

PLAY didn't offer any onboard frills (no WiFi, no seatback or device entertainment, no free beverages or food). Passengers could expect flight attendants to pass through the cabin with the buy-on-board cart, which appeared reasonably priced. The limited number of reviews online generally indicated that cabin crews were friendly when providing service, and buy-on-board items were available in the galleys after the cart service was complete. 

It was made clear on the website that PLAY passengers were welcome to bring their own food and drink onboard, though it should be noted that airports also prohibit large amounts of liquids through airport security checkpoints.

Seat backs on some planes also came equipped with a mini tray table (in addition to a larger tray table), which has a drink holder and a place to hold up a phone or tablet. 

Tips for flying PLAY

How to use a credit/voucher on PLAY

Credits and vouchers were not standard on PLAY, but some passengers who booked and cancelled before September 30, 2021, had been issued credit vouchers valid for one year as a COVID-19 flexibility exception. The vouchers could be used as a form of payment to book a new flight on PLAY. 

How to change your flight on PLAY

Passengers could change their flight dates and destination up to one hour prior to departure without a change fee as a COVID-19 flexibility exception, but a fare difference might have applied. Passengers who rebooked to a flight with a lower fare than their original fare would not have received a credit or refund for the difference. Under normal circumstances (or for flights changed less than one hour before departure), a change fee applied to each person and each flight being changed, plus the applicable fare difference. 

How to get a refund on PLAY

PLAY did not issue refunds for passengers who did not purchase cancellation protection, available for purchase only at the time of booking. Cancellation protection allows for a refund of the ticket in the event of illness or injury, or death of a family member or close friend. Documentation is required within seven days of the original flight’s departure date. 

Passengers unable to travel and who have not purchased cancellation protection were entitled to have the airport taxes of their unused ticket refunded. 

What if PLAY changed your flight day or time? 

In the event of a schedule change, passengers could rebook alternate flights by logging into their account and changing their reservation to another PLAY flight. Passengers unable to find a suitable alternative flight could request a refund of their ticket. Flight changes within 14 days of departure were considered delays or cancellations by EU regulations.

What if PLAY canceled your flight?

PLAY is certified in Iceland, a member state of the European Union, so all flights were subject to EC No. 261/2004 regarding compensation in the event of a canceled flight. When a flight is canceled, passengers are entitled to rerouting or a refund of their ticket if the available rerouting options are not acceptable. EC 261/2004 also requires cash compensation for passengers whose flights are canceled within 14 days of departure, depending on the length of delay caused by the canceled flight. 

How can I contact PLAY? 

PLAY did not have a phone number but could be messaged on Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, or e-mailed directly at [email protected].

Read more about some of the lesser-known airlines we find great cheap flights on: 

• Condor
• Avelo
• Breeze
• Etihad
• Frenchbee
• JSX
• Silver Airways
• TAP Air Portugal
• WestJet
• Air Serbia
• Zipair