PLAY Airlines reduces its route to Boston and New York Stewart this summer

Recently, Iceland’s PLAY Airlines came up with an idea to reduce the frequency of its transatlantic services to Boston Logan International Airport and New York Stewart International Airport for the summer season of 2025. According to the data by Cirium-Icelandic, low-cost carriers will cut up to three weekly flights, depending on the route.

This development comes against the backdrop of US policy shifts, which raised trade tensions with European allies since the start of the Trump presidency. And so far, European airlines haven’t seen any significant impact on transatlantic travel demand. This is a step for the leaders of the largest European airline groups to remain cautious. 

Cutting up to 3 weekly flights 

The carrier plans to reduce its weekly flights between Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport from June to October 2025. At the same time, Boston Logan International Airport from seven to five in countability for a week's flights. Meanwhile, in July 2025, the airline is also going to serve only four weekly flights between two destinations. The weekly frequency on the route between Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport and New York Stewart International Airport will be reduced from seven to six flights from weekly flights between Iceland’s capital and New York City. 

Surprisingly, PLAY Airlines operated much more frequent flights during the same period last year. The data reported by Cirium-the low-cost airline, maintained seven weekly flights on both routes until September and October 2024.

7 weekly flights to Baltimore (BWI) 

Cutting flight frequencies to Boston and New York, the Icelandic airline is stepping up to maintain seven weekly flights between Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Airport this summer in 2025.

This carrier’s US route network is a relatively small cove, ring just three cities of the US, connecting Reykjavik: Baltimore, Boston and New York. However, this airline previously served routes between Reykjavik and Washington & Hamilton in Canada, as focusing to shift its network growth from transatlantic to European routes.

It is worth noting that the carrier's US route network is relatively small, with just three US cities connecting Reykjavik: Baltimore, Boston, and New York. The budget airline previously operated routes between Reykjavik, Washington, DC (IAD), and Hamilton (YHM) in Canada. The relatively small transatlantic network is no surprise, as the airline has shifted its focus from transatlantic to European route network growth.

The carrier’s modest fleet 

The airline has a relatively stronger international route network across Europe, North America and West Africa. The official website says PLAY offers non-stop direct flights to 31 European destinations and a single flight to Marrakesh in Morocco, the West African destination. The low-cost airline utilizes an all-Airbus narrowbody aircraft fleet to operate on these routes. 

The ch-aviation data also found that PLAY Airlines has a total of ten aircraft in its fleet, with an average of 4.4 years. The fleet carrier comprises six Airbus A320neo and four Airbus A321neo aircraft. Its Airbus A321neos are deployed on longer transatlantic flights, and the fleet of Airbus A320neos operate on European corridors.

Accommodating over PLAY Airbus A320neo aircraft with a 174 passengers in a single-class cabin layout. Meanwhile carrier’s Airbus A321neos can seat up to 214 people in a single-class economy configuration.