PLAY is being a little aggressive in its expansion, with the airline planning to re-launch its route to Amsterdam.
The airline’s first flight from Keflavik Airport in Iceland to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is scheduled for 5th June, with them planning to operate five flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Ticketing is open for these flights, with timings to allow connections between Amsterdam and four U.S. cities, including New York, Boston, Washington DC, and Baltimore, as well as Toronto in Canada via Iceland.
Again – it will juggle this new route with its ten Airbus A320neo and Airbus A321neo aircraft it will have its fleet for Summer 2023 (the airline currently has eight aircraft in service).
Lead in Prices to Iceland start at €69 one way and upwards, with tickets now on sale.
In Quotes
Birgir Jónsson, PLAY´s CEO, announced the re-launch of flights to Amsterdam stating:
“We are thrilled to bring back our services to Amsterdam and connect more customers to our affordable travel options. Amsterdam is one of Europe’s biggest hubs and a vital destination for our VIA operations between North America and Europe. At PLAY, our mission is clear: to provide low-cost flights and offer our customers more value for their money. We aim to give the competition a run for their money with our low prices, providing people in our markets the opportunity to save money on their flights and enjoy more experiences in their destination. As we like to say at PLAY: Pay less, PLAY more.”
Continuing its growth
With a planned fleet of 10 aircraft, PLAY is playing hardball this summer, utilising its Iceland hub to funnel people through. The expansion brings the network to nearly 40 served destinations – some seasonally, some permanent.
Whilst on some routes, it has committed to a limited frequency service (most of the new European routes are served only a few times a week), it seems to be enough for the airline to generate the passenger flow needed to make them viable.
It’s going to be interesting to see what is sustainable beyond the summer season – and if they can keep up their timetable with 10 aircraft in its arsenal.
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This is interesting, wonder where they got the slots from, and are they only seasonal or permanent?
JetBlue was only able to get seasonal slots for this summer, after much arguing and starting an Open Skies case with the DOT, with no discussion of future extension (or even seasonal service next summer) yet.
And Schiphol and the Danish government keep talking about reducing flights, yet Play seems to have had no problem getting slots.
Fascinating, Captain.