Information on PLAY Flights

Founded in 2019, PLAY Airlines is a low-cost carrier that aims to make air travel affordable without sacrificing comfort. PLAY flies both long-haul and short- to mid-haul flights from its hub in Reykjavik, Iceland. Offering an unbundled service model that caters to budget-conscious travelers, PLAY offers simplicity and efficiency, with essential services designed to meet basic travel needs.

PLAY flies the Airbus A320 family of aircraft from its hub in Iceland to destinations across North America, Europe, and Africa. While I’ve usually preferred to fly on mainline airlines to Europe, a recent PLAY flight to Iceland made me realize that it’s a convenient option for cheap flights to Iceland and other European destinations.

PLAY serves several North American cities, including Boston, New York (Stewart Airport), and Toronto. Its route map is impressive for a budget airline. From Reykjavik, you can connect in cities such as Athens, London, Lisbon, and even Marrakech.

PLAY classes of travel and fares

PLAY offers 4 different fare types, which allow passengers to choose the level of service that best fits their needs and budget

PLAY Basic

PLAY Basic is the airline’s cheapest fare class. This is ideal for budget-conscious travelers who don’t need any extras. The PLAY Basic fare includes a personal item (such as a small backpack or handbag) that can fit under the seat in front of you. It also includes the ability to purchase additional services such as checked baggage, seat selection, and in-flight meals.

I’ve found PLAY Basic to be acceptable for short trips to and from Iceland, where I can pack light, skip in-flight meals, and don’t mind having a seat assigned to me. However, this fare class probably won’t work for longer trips or trips where you’d need to check multiple bags.

PLAY Basic Plus

PLAY Basic Plus adds a few more perks to the standard basic fare. This fare includes one personal item and one carry-on, priority boarding, and a seat assignment towards the middle or back of the aircraft (The ticket does not include extra legroom seats).

PLAY Basic Plus, which I’ve booked for flights to Europe, is acceptable for travelers looking for a bit more flexibility than PLAY’s bare-bones Basic service. One personal item and a carry-on (if packing lightly) should be enough for a week or so out of the country.

PLAY Value

Next up is PLAY Value. The PLAY Value fare offers a bit more flexibility and convenience compared to the Basic fare. It includes one personal item, one carry-on bag, and one checked bag. Additionally, these fares come with standard seat selection, a seat assignment towards the middle or back of the aircraft and the ability to purchase additional services such as extra legroom seats and in-flight meals.

PLAY Flex

Lastly is PLAY Flex, the airline’s most flexible fare class. This option is best for travelers who want more flexibility with their travel plans. It includes all the benefits of the PLAY Value fare, plus one personal item, one carry-on bag, and two checked bags.

This fare class includes standard and extra legroom seat selection, priority boarding, free flight changes (fare difference may apply), and the option to purchase additional services such as in-flight meals.

PLAY Flex is the way to go, especially if you’re heading to Europe in that you have more flexible baggage policies and extra legroom seats, which is a nice perk on longer flights.

PLAY seats & seat reservation options

PLAY doesn’t offer a separate business and economy cabin. However, the airline does designate seats according to the specific perks they provide. For instance, first row and exit row seats provide up to 10 inches of additional legroom than a standard seat. These seats, in my experience flying PLAY, are the most popular and typically get snagged up during booking.

If you’re traveling with a partner and want to avoid having a middle seat neighbor, I recommend booking a Space Seat. These are seats are aisle or window seats on selected flights at the front of the plane that are blocked with a side table.

During booking and buring check-in

When booking your flight on the PLAY Airlines website, you will have the option to select your seat. Depending on your fare class, you can choose standard or extra legroom seats, with any additional fees clearly displayed.

At the airport or gate

If you didn’t select a seat during booking or after, you can select a seat during the online check-in process, which usually opens 24-48 hours before departure. If you purchase a seat before online check-in (but after booking), you’ll pay more in fees. However, availability may be limited by this time, and you may not have as many options to choose from.

As I’ve flown PLAY several times, I have several tips to ensure your flight goes off without a hitch. First, make sure to book early to get the best choice of seats. Then, think about what matters most to you during your flight, whether it’s extra legroom, a window view, or proximity to the front of the aircraft or lavatory. If you’re traveling with family or friends, selecting seats together during booking ensures you’ll be seated next to each other.

Finally, always check the seat maps, which are available to you at the time of booking or seat selection. You can use the seat map to get a better sense of seat locations before you make a decision.

Baggage

The number of carry on and checked bags you’re permitted to bring onto a PLAY flight depends on the fare class you booked. All tickets include one personal item. If you booked a PLAY Value or Flex ticket, you’re permitted to bring one piece of carry-on luggage that can fit in the overhead compartment and a checked bag that doesn’t exceed 70 lbs.

You can add baggage allowance to your reservation either at the time of booking, after booking, during check-in, or at the airport.

In my experience, baggage is always cheapest during booking. If you plan to bring more than a small personal item, buying baggage allowance during booking is the best option. Adding baggage at the airport will be considerably more expensive, so this should be a last-ditch option.

Iceland stopover

Flying PLAY comes with a unique benefit that’s specific to the airline. You can add a stopover on either leg of your trip in Reykjavík, Iceland (where PLAY is based) for up to 10 days, free of charge.

In my experience, adding the stopover is extremely easy to do. A stopover – or “stayover,” as PLAY calls it, is available when you book transatlantic flights at no additional cost and can be on the outbound, return journey, or both. While hotel stays aren’t included in the stopover, I’ve found that hotel rates in Reykjavík can be pretty affordable, especially when booked a few months in advance. The Iceland stopover program is an excellt way to add on an extra stop in a country you may not have considered visiting.

PLAY check-in and airport experience

PLAY does not participate in the TSA PreCheck program. And online check-in isn’t available in several cities, including Bologna, Geneva, and Salzburg. I strongly recommend if you’re flying out of the U.S. or one of these European destinations, that you arrive at the airport at least three hours ahead of departure to ensure you catch your flight.

PLAY food & drinks

PLAY offers food and drinks in-flight, but as a budget airline, these are services you’ll have to pay an extra charge for. PLAY offers a selection of hot and cold entrees, beverages (including alcohol), and snacks. If you want to keep costs low, I recommend buying a combo, such as the breakfast deal, which includes a muffin and beverage.

In-flight wi-fi & entertainment

Unfortunately, PLAY does not offer any in-flight Wi-Fi or entertainment onboard its flights. That’s, ostensibly, to keep costs low. Not having Wi-Fi hasn’t been a problem when I’ve flown PLAY. However, if you foresee yourself needing to check emails or get work done during your flight, you may want to book a ticket with a full-service airline that offers in-flight Wi-Fi.

Lounges

As a low-cost carrier, PLAY does not have its own dedicated airport lounges. Instead, PLAY focuses on on providing affordable flights. However, in my experience, many airports served by PLAY, such as Reykjavik and London, offer pay-per-use lounges that PLAY passengers can access for a fee. And certain credit cards allow for complimentary lounge access for you and a companion, regardless of what airline you fly.