Here’s the Real Experience of Flying with Budget Airline Play to Europe

Iceland has served as a pit stop for budget travelers making the transatlantic journey ever since Icelandair emerged in the 1960s with its affordable flights. While the bargains can be hard to resist, concerns about the safety of low-cost flights to Iceland arose when Wow Air collapsed in 2019, raising questions about the sustainability of such low fares.

But that’s just part of the narrative. Introducing Play Airlines, which started operations in 2019 after acquiring some assets from Wow and employing many of its former staff and executives. This new airline aims to reignite the idea that you can indeed fly across the Atlantic for less than the price of your first night at a hotel (with Play’s fares sometimes dropping to as low as $100 one-way during special promotions).

With ample experience flying budget airlines overseas, I was keen to discover what this new player had in store. Last spring, I boarded Play Flight 112 from Boston Logan to Keflavík Airport, the primary international airport in Iceland. Here’s what the experience was truly like.

Check-In at Boston

At Boston Logan International Airport, Play departs from Terminal E, the hub for most international flights.

Unfortunately, Play is not part of the TSA PreCheck program, so passengers should expect to spend a bit more time in the security line. Fortunately, the regular security lines were efficient in my experience, and with ample time to spare, I enjoyed browsing the duty-free shops and dining options in Terminal E before my 6:30 p.m. boarding.

There isn't a specific lounge for Play travelers, but if you hold a Priority Pass membership (which I do), you can access the Air France lounge to enjoy a meal and a glass of wine before your flight.

At the Play boarding gate, a group of friendly crew members in bright red uniforms welcomed us aboard the aircraft; since this was a new route, the plane was only partially filled, making boarding a breeze. A flight attendant noticed me struggling with my suitcase and kindly helped me lift it into the overhead compartment.

The door shut precisely on schedule for the 7 p.m. departure, although we experienced a slight delay while pushing back from the gate. The pilot frequently updated us, mentioning that our flight time would be a quick five hours, assuring those connecting to other destinations that they wouldn't miss their connections. I later discovered that many passengers were continuing on to various European cities, including Paris, London, and Berlin.

Economy Seating for Everyone

Play operates its shorter flights across Europe using a fleet of smaller Airbus A320 jets, while its transatlantic routes are serviced by the larger 192-seat Airbus A321. On international flights, the seating is arranged in a six-abreast configuration—three seats on each side of the aisle—in a single class setup.

The seats are upholstered in gray synthetic leather with adjustable padded headrests, providing a level of comfort superior to most ultra-low-cost carrier seating. On my flight, every row offered a spacious seat pitch of 33 to 34 inches, compared to the standard 28 inches found in typical economy seating. (However, not all of Play's aircraft offer the same legroom; the airline plans to add 22 seats to the type of jet I flew, with three different seat-pitch options, meaning that the extra legroom I enjoyed may come at an additional cost.) My overall space was quite basic: there were no power outlets, Wi-Fi, or in-flight entertainment, and the small tray table could be cumbersome for laptop use if the passenger in front reclined fully.

The flight attendants were warm and attentive, and shortly after takeoff, they rolled out a cart offering drinks and snacks. Sticking to an à la carte pricing strategy, everything was available for purchase, with prices listed in euros.

What are the costs associated with flying Play?

My roundtrip flight cost $345, plus additional fees for services like carry-on and priority boarding ($27), checked baggage ($35), and seat selection ($22). Prices can fluctuate with demand and are higher during peak seasons. Depending on your final destination and the optional services you select, round-trip fares to Europe with Play can vary from as low as $200 (during major sales) to over $800. There are often great deals available during the shoulder and off-peak travel seasons in fall, winter, and spring.

Onboard, drinks were priced from about $1 for a bottle of spring water, to approximately $3 for sodas, coffee, and juices, and $9 to $10 for beer and wine. A selection of sandwiches was also available for around $9 to $10, along with various snacks. I opted for a cup of chicken-flavored ramen noodles for $5 and some Pringles for $3. On my daytime return flight, I chose a falafel wrap, while another passenger highly recommended the hearty hot ham and cheese baguette. One flight attendant encouraged me to try Play’s “famous” Icelandic candies, so I indulged in a $3 licorice and chocolate bar. After these tasty treats, I had no trouble falling asleep for the remaining hours of the flight before landing.

Arriving at Keflavík Airport and Getting to Reykjavík

We arrived right on time just before 5 a.m., with the sun already shining (this was just about a month before the summer solstice). While some passengers rushed off to catch their tight connections, those of us staying in Iceland made our way to the immigration and customs area. In just a few minutes, I found myself in the airport lobby, ready to grab a coffee and browse the small post-arrival duty-free shop as I waited for my bus transfer to the city. Reykjavík is approximately 30 miles from the airport, and it takes about 45 minutes to reach the main bus terminal downtown without traffic.

Where Play Flies To/From

Play operates daily flights to Reykjavík, Iceland, from three East Coast gateways:

• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI)
• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• New York Stewart International Airport (SWF)

From the Icelandic capital, Play offers connecting flights to around 35 cities across Europe, including Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Paris, Stockholm, Venice, and Warsaw.

The verdict: Is Play a good deal for the low price?

With these low fares, there are certainly some trade-offs when flying with Play. There’s no dedicated customer service hotline; instead, you can reach out to the airline via Facebook, WhatsApp, or email, which can be frustrating if issues arise. Additionally, there are various extra fees based on the services and add-ons you choose, such as in-flight food and beverages.

However, if your main goal is to find a budget-friendly flight to Europe, Play delivers on that promise. Considering the sky-high fares we often face when traveling across the Atlantic, this newcomer presents a compelling option, plus the chance to explore Iceland or spend a few days there on your way to other destinations.