PLAY Airlines to Scale Back on US-bound Flights

‍DALLAS — PLAY Airlines (OG) has announced plans to cut its services to North American destinations and increase scheduled services to Southern Europe instead. 

This marks a change of strategy for the ULCC, which has enticed travelers to visit Iceland for many years by offering convenient stopovers for its passengers when traveling between Europe and North America. 

The airline has decided to review this strategy as it shifts its focus to  Southern Europe. Thus, it appears there is growing demand for these services as opposed to its US routes. The move is part of a strategic shift in OG’s business model. 

PLAY’s Transatlantic Routes

The Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC) currently flies from the Keflavik International Airport (KEF) hub to five destinations in North America. OG operates flights to Boston (BOS), Baltimore (BWI), Washington Dulles (IAD), Stewart in New York (SWF), and Hamilton (YHM) airports. The Reykjavik-based (REK) carrier intends to cut back on its US routes as it aims to increase connectivity between Iceland and Southern Europe.

Trans-Atlantic routes have become increasingly competitive, with a number of airlines now operating budget flights directly between points in Europe and the US. Hence, OG is restructuring, looking to reposition itself as a ULCC where various competitors compete directly with OG on trans-Atlantic services. 

That said, OG has not yet announced which of its North American routes it will scrap or reduce frequencies on.