New Budget Airline 'Play' Launches U.S.–Europe Flights Starting at $109

For those looking to travel to Europe on a budget, Iceland’s new low-cost airline—Play—has an enticing offer.

The airline entered the U.S. market on December 16, offering flights from Boston Logan International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to 22 European destinations beginning in spring 2022. These flights, connecting through Iceland and now available for online booking, serve major European hubs like Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, London, and Paris, along with smaller locations such as Alicante, Malaga, and Tenerife in Spain, Trondheim in Norway, and Bologna, Italy.

To make a notable entry into the U.S. market, Play is currently offering one-way flights to Europe for as little as $109 to 11 of its destinations:

• Berlin Brandenburg (BER), Germany
• Brussels (BRU), Belgium
• Copenhagen (CPH), Denmark
• Dublin (DUB), Ireland
• Göteborg Landvetter (GOT), Sweden
• Keflavik (KEF), Iceland
• London Stansted (STN), the United Kingdom
• Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), France
• Stavanger (SVG), Norway
• Stuttgart (STR), Germany
• Trondheim (TRD), Norway

The offer is valid for round-trip flights departing from the U.S., which must be booked by midnight Eastern Time on December 24, 2021, for travel during May to June 2022 and August to October 2022.

What’s the catch? This ultra-low-cost airline imposes numerous extra fees for everything from seat selection ($4–$50) to carry-on and checked luggage. One personal item is included in the fare, but carry-on bags and meals cost extra. A single checked bag weighing up to 44 pounds ranges from $32 to $57 if booked online in advance (prices vary by date and route) and can reach up to $79 if paid at the airport during check-in. Changing flight dates will set you back $78, and the flights do not offer Wi-Fi or seatback entertainment.

If this sounds somewhat familiar, that’s because it is. Many of Play’s executive team, including CEO Birgir Jónsson, previously worked for the now-defunct Icelandic budget airline Wow Air, which had a similar no-frills, low-cost model.

Jónsson believes this model is primed for a resurgence as Americans' appetite for affordable international travel increases.

“Travelers worldwide are eager to explore new places, and recent data indicates that nearly two-thirds of Americans are planning their next vacations with a focus on international destinations,” Jónsson stated in a press release regarding Play’s launch in the U.S.

He emphasized that with the airline’s budget-friendly flights, “Travelers can fully enjoy their destination without overpaying for the flight.”

What are the prices when there isn’t a sensational introductory offer? During the peak summer season in 2022, a one-way ticket from Boston to Paris can reach up to $422, while a one-way flight from London to Baltimore might cost around $440. However, even in summer, it’s possible to find one-way flights to Europe for under $200 on Play.

Founded in 2019 in Reykjavík, Iceland, the airline operates flights using new all-economy Airbus A321NEO and A320NEO aircraft. Its inaugural flights began in June 2021, focusing on routes within Europe.