Icelandic Airline PLAY takes off to New York with tickets at £159

Summer in New York just became much for affordable for Brits, as Iceland’s low-cost airline, PLAY, took off for the first time today (10 June 2022) to New York’s most cost-effective airport, Stewart Airport.

The airline’s new route between London Stansted and New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) via Reykjavik, took off at 11:47 with a total of 160 passengers on board.

Tickets can be purchased at www.flyplay.com, from as little as £159 one way (standard fare).

Though May saw mass disruption and delays across European airports, PLAY is also pleased to share that on-time performance in May was 88.9%, which is a strong performance for an airline that has recently become a hub and spoke model.

Birgir Jónsson, PLAY CEO, said: “Almost one year after our very first flight took off from London Stansted to Reykjavik, we’re over the moon to have launched our third US destination from the UK. PLAY’s ticket sales sky-rocketed 338% in May 2022 when compared to January 2022, following the launch of our first flights to Baltimore/Washington and Boston, and the huge appetite for travel we’re experiencing across Europe.”

“We know Brits are looking for a bargain when it comes to summer breaks this year, and the low fares and flexibility that passengers experience at Stewart International Airport are exactly what passengers seek when they book their travel with PLAY; we’re confident that Brits will snap up this deal.”

Though Stewart airport is further away from Manhattan than JFK and Newark, it takes passengers approximately an hour less to get there thanks to the time saved getting through airport customs, compared to the much lengthier processes at JFK and Newark. In addtion, faster transport routes by taxi, bus, and train, including Metro North, Amtrak, or Newburgh-Beacon-Stewart Link, mean travelling from Stewart is faster and more convenient.

Stewart also gives passengers the chance to save money, with Coach USA operating rides to Manhattan, which are timed to coincide with the arrival and departure of PLAY’s flights, costing just $20, compared to $52 travelling via taxi from JFK.

Serving New York City, the growing Hudson Valley area, New Jersey, and Connecticut, New York Stewart airport is popular among families, with proximity to top attractions including Legoland NY Resort, Woodbury Commons.

Now, with three airports in the U.S., (Baltimore/Washington, and Boston Logan) PLAY is prepared to support a travel comeback in 2022, enabling travellers to enjoy spring and summer trips in the States. As travellers’ habits change from long-term planning to spontaneous last-minute bookings, passengers will choose PLAY for affordable, reliable, and the flexibility offered when booking their flights.