PLAY will launch daily service between Keflavík International Airport and New York Stewart International Airport from June 9, 2022, becoming the only international airline operating out of New York’s Hudson Valley Airport.
On Tuesday (February 1, 2022), Iceland’s PLAY Airlines announced the opening of ticket sales for flights between Keflavík International Airport in Iceland and New York Stewart International Airport, located in New York’s Hudson Valley. The carrier will operate daily flights on the route from June 9, 2022, becoming the only international carrier operating out of Stewart International. The new service marks PLAY’s third U.S. gateway, with flights to Baltimore/Washington starting in April and service to Boston commencing in May 2022. The three U.S. destinations will open up new routes to Iceland, as well as to onward destinations including Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Brussels, Trondheim and Gothenburg.
In Tuesday’s announcement, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Executive Director Rick Cotton, said,
“This is a significant development for New York Stewart International Airport and the region and customers it serves. The addition of PLAY’s international service is important in realizing our post-pandemic vision for New York Stewart as a leading regional provider of both international and domestic air service and as a generator of strong economic growth.”
Also commenting on the launch of New York service, PLAY’s CEO, Birgir Jónsson, said,
“After we learned of the economic growth and the attractions in the area surrounding New York Stewart and the benefits the airport has, we did not hesitate and believe that this is a great opportunity. This decision enables us to offer the lowest prices on flights between New York and Europe as we get a good deal being the first airline operating international flights from the airport. Passengers traveling through New York Stewart have many comfortable transportation options from the airport to all directions, not to mention how friendly and efficient it is to use for our passengers. There is also a lot of expectations and excitement for PLAY´s operations at New York Stewart among the local economy and various stakeholders in the area.”
New York Stewart Airport is about a 75-minute drive to Times Square in Manhattan, and although the airport is further away than JFK or Newark, the time it will take travelers to get to Manhattan will be nearly the same. New York Stewart is a small airport with shorter lines and wait times at security, customs and baggage claim, with exit an exit time from the airport of approximately 30 minutes or less, and easily accessible transportation to the city. The most economical option to get to Manhattan is by bus, with schedules timed for PLAY’s arrivals and departures.
Play will service all three U.S. routes with new Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, which offer a 10-15 percent reduction in fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions compared to current single-aisle aircraft. The carrier will have six new A320neo and A321neos in operation by summer 2022.
Founded in 2019 by Arnar Magnússon, PLAY is a new Iceland-based low-cost carrier (LCC) which operates flights between Iceland and Europe, and will launch transatlantic long-haul service between Europe and North America in spring 2022. The airline launched their inaugural passenger revenue flight on Thursday, June 24, 2021, with service between Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and London Stansted (STN). PLAY’s fleet of Airbus A320neo and A321neos currently connect customers to 16 European destinations, growing to 24 in 2022. Next spring, the carrier will have added new aircraft to their fleet, prior to the launch of low-cost transatlantic flights to North America.
Source: PLAY Airlines