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Hand-picked deals by our pirate team
PLAY Airlines Pulls the Plug on U.S. Flights This Fall ✈️
The Icelandic low-cost carrier was one of the most affordable ways for Americans to reach Europe, offering transatlantic fares that often beat domestic flights. But now, PLAY Airlines is pulling out of the U.S. market entirely, ending all routes by October 2025.
A Budget Airline That Actually Delivered
The first time I spotted a PLAY Airlines deal, I had to double-check the screen. Flights to Iceland for under $200? It felt like winning the budget travel lottery. My daughter had been begging for an adventure for her 13th birthday, and that deal sealed it. PLAY was no-frills, sure, but it was punctual, friendly, and got us across the Atlantic for less than a domestic ticket. For American travelers like us looking to hop to Europe on a budget, it was a rare gem.
And sadly, that gem is about to disappear. Starting this October, Iceland’s PLAY Airlines will cancel all U.S. flights, marking the end of its brief but memorable run in the North American market.
PLAY’s Exit from the U.S.
The airline will stop flying from New York Stewart (SWF) on September 1, Boston Logan (BOS) on September 15, and Baltimore/Washington (BWI) on October 24. If you’ve flown any of these routes, you know what made them special. PLAY offered reliable transatlantic service at prices that often beat even the most competitive carriers.
Despite its appeal to price-sensitive travelers, PLAY’s long-haul operations never really paid off. Summer demand was strong, but seasonal dips and rising costs made profitability hard to sustain. According to company reports, its U.S. flights only turned a profit for two quarters.
Why It Matters
This is more than just another airline schedule update. For U.S.-based travelers, it means losing one of the most accessible ways to explore Europe without spending a fortune. With base fares that sometimes dipped below $150, PLAY made it possible for students, families, and adventure seekers to cross the Atlantic without breaking the bank.
Now, those low fares will be harder to find. Icelandair continues to fly to Boston and Washington, D.C., but those fares typically come at a higher cost.
What Travelers Should Know
If you’re booked on a PLAY flight from the U.S. this fall, the airline says you’ll be contacted with rebooking options or refunds. As PLAY shifts its strategy, it’s also reaffirming its core identity. “We’re not changing who we are,” CEO Ólafsson said. “We’re simply focusing on what works.” That focus now lies in shorter, more profitable routes across Europe.
For American travelers, PLAY’s exit marks the end of a rare and refreshingly affordable option. PLAY kept things simple: no-frills flights, easy access to Iceland, and the chance to say yes to something spontaneous. That birthday trip? Wouldn’t have happened without them. So thanks, PLAY. It was a good run while it lasted.
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