Founded in 2021, Iceland’s Play Airlines is quickly making waves in the aviation industry with its unique and progressive approach.
Play Airlines stands out by allowing its crew to freely express themselves through tattoos, piercings, and vibrant hair colors. Crew members also enjoy the comfort of gender-neutral uniforms and trainers, moving away from traditional tight outfits and high heels.
Einar Örn Ólafsson,
who became CEO in April 2023, emphasizes this inclusive culture. “We consider ourselves a fun, progressive, and playful airline, encouraging our crew to express themselves freely at work,” Ólafsson shared in an exclusive interview with Euronews Travel. “Ensuring comfort for everyone on a Play flight extends naturally to our crew. We believe this sets us apart in the industry. Happy and comfortable crew members provide better service to passengers.”
Affordable and Enjoyable Flying Experience
Since its inception, Play Airlines’ mission has been to offer affordable air travel with a fun and enjoyable flying experience. Ólafsson, involved from the beginning as the largest shareholder, has continued this mission as CEO. “We quickly gained attention for our progressive policies and commitment to customer satisfaction, carving out a niche in the competitive low-cost airline market.
Based at Keflavík International Airport, Play Airlines operates a fleet of 10 Airbus aircraft, flying to 39 destinations across Europe and the United States. In 2023, the airline carried 1.5 million passengers. While this number is modest compared to Ryanair’s 181 million annual travelers, Ólafsson aims to grow this with Play’s unique approach.
No-Frills, Cost-Efficient Travel
Play Airlines offers a no-frills approach to flights, focusing on dependable, safe, and cost-efficient air travel. “Our budget-friendly fares are made possible through a cost-effective business approach, allowing passengers to save money to spend at their destination,” Ólafsson explains.
Enhanced Travel Experience with Iceland Stopovers
Play Airlines enhances the travel experience by incorporating Icelandic stopovers en route to the US or Europe. “All our flights stop over in Iceland to collect travelers between these destinations and fill flight capacity, making the service more affordable,” Ólafsson says. Passengers can extend their stopovers, ranging from two hours to 10 days, to explore Iceland’s natural beauty, which has proven popular among customers.
Discover Iceland with Play Airlines
Travelers can enjoy the flexibility of extended stopovers, providing the opportunity to experience Iceland’s stunning landscapes before continuing their journey to the US or Canada. “Iceland is a popular tourist destination known for its natural beauty, and stopovers allow travelers to explore all that our wonderful country has to offer,” Ólafsson concludes.
By combining progressive crew policies, affordable fares, and unique travel experiences, Play Airlines is redefining the low-cost airline industry.