PLAY TIME: Carrier launches Iceland inaugural from Canada

Low-cost Icelandic airline PLAY launched its inaugural flight from Canada June 22, with the carrier aiming to offer another competitive alternative for Canadians to fly to Europe via its Reykjavik hub.

With daily flights from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, designed to serve the Greater Toronto Area, the service marks carrier’s fifth route in North America, joining New York, Washington, Boston, and Baltimore.

Having launched on June 24, 2021, with a fleet of ten Airbus A320/321neo aircraft, PLAY boasts the youngest fleet in Europe, with an average age of around two years. By leveraging Iceland as a hub, PLAY says it is able to provide affordable flights between Europe and North America.

The airline adds it that achieved an 87% on-time performance rating in the month leading up to its inaugural flight to Hamilton/Toronto.

“Our inaugural flight out of Toronto is a tremendous milestone for PLAY,” said Birgir Jónsson, CEO of PLAY. “We have invested significant effort into launching this destination… Wherever we operate, we strive to provide the most competitive prices. By challenging the competition in Toronto, we aim to benefit the residents of the area by offering an affordable means of travel to Iceland and beyond into Europe.”

“We are excited to have PLAY join Hamilton International Airport network and bring connectivity to over 26 exciting European destinations, via Iceland,” said Cole Horncastle, executive managing director, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. “PLAY’s low-cost ‘pay for what you need’ model aligns perfectly with Hamilton International’s commitment to bring more travel options and affordable airfares to passengers in Southern Ontario and continue to drive economic benefits for the City and the region.”