How we know: Sources are listed at the end. This page replaces an earlier review written while PLAY was still flying; it is kept because people still search for the airline.
PLAY, the Icelandic low-cost carrier that flew Airbus A320-family aircraft between the US East Coast, Reykjavík and Europe, ceased operations on 29 September 2025 and cancelled all flights with immediate effect (Play (airline)). If you hold a PLAY booking, it will not be flown; contact your card issuer or travel insurer for a refund and book with another carrier.
What PLAY was
Launched in 2021 as a successor to WOW air's model, PLAY sold unbundled fares (seat only; bags, seat selection and food extra) on narrow-body jets, connecting US cities through Keflavík to a network of European destinations. Its US gateways were Boston and Baltimore/Washington; planned Stewart and Washington Dulles routes were cancelled in January 2025 (Play (airline)).
Why it stopped
The airline had announced in late 2024 that it would move away from transatlantic connecting traffic toward leisure routes amid weakening financial results; the transatlantic model that had already sunk WOW air proved no more durable for PLAY. Roughly 400 employees lost their jobs when it closed (Play (airline)).
What to fly instead
- Icelandair is the obvious replacement: a full-service airline with US gateways including Boston, New York, Washington, Chicago, Seattle, Denver, Minneapolis and Orlando, and a Stopover programme that allows up to seven days in Iceland at no additional airfare on the way to or from Europe (Icelandair). See our Icelandair stopover guide. Check today's fares on Boston to Reykjavík, JFK to Reykjavík, Baltimore to Reykjavík and Washington to Reykjavík.
- Other low-cost transatlantic options for Europe: Norse Atlantic from New York, French Bee from Newark, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and Level from several US cities to Barcelona. Our budget airlines to Europe guide compares them.
- Full-service carriers on sale. With one competitor gone, watch fares on Boston and Washington routes to Europe with a price alert.
A note on booking low-cost long-haul carriers
WOW, Norwegian's long-haul arm, and now PLAY all stopped flying with little warning. Pay by credit card (chargeback rights), consider travel insurance that covers airline insolvency, and avoid booking non-refundable connecting travel on separate tickets far in advance.
FAQ
Is PLAY still flying? No. PLAY ceased operations on 29 September 2025.
How do I get a refund for a PLAY ticket? Through your credit card issuer's dispute process or your travel insurer, if your policy covers airline failure.
What is the cheapest way to fly to Iceland now? Icelandair from its US gateways, watched with a price alert; the route pages show the current fare.