Flights

The changes will have “no or minimal effects” on passengers who have already booked flights, according to the airline.

PLAY
A PLAY airlines plane. PLAY

Low-cost Icelandic airline PLAY is scaling back U.S. service in 2025 after “disappointing” profits in the North American market, the airline announced.

PLAY, which launched in 2021 and began flying out of Logan Airport in 2022, is known for its inexpensive international flights, pay-for-what-you-need model, and frequent sales.

The carrier operates at five North American airports: Logan Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, New York Stewart International Airport, and John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport near Toronto.

PLAY said the number of its destinations in North America and in Northern Europe will decrease by mid-year 2025, and the airline will focus on its leisure markets in Southern Europe.

Boston.com reached out to PLAY for details about how the adjusted business model will impact travelers at Logan Airport, and an airline representative said there are no additional updates at this time.

According to the release, “the airline’s yields on its hub-and-spoke part of the business across the Atlantic has been disappointing, particularly in 2024. The North American market has changed substantially recently with general increase in supply with a negative effect on PLAY’s financial results.”

“Since PLAY’s inception, we’ve observed shifts in the market, and it is our view that the via-route network is no longer as profitable as it once was,” said Einar Örn Ólafsson, PLAY’s CEO, in a statement. “As a result, we have decided to adjust our business model, which will take effect around mid-2025. PLAY remains the airline of choice for Icelanders, and we aim to increase our share in the local market. In short, we will focus on the aspects of our business that have proven both successful and profitable — namely, transporting passengers between Southern Europe and Iceland.”

The changes will have “no or minimal effects” on passengers who have already booked flights, according to the airline.

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Kristi Palma

Culture writer


 

Kristi Palma is a culture writer for Boston.com, focusing on New England travel. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.


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