Birgir Jonsson, President and CEO of PLAY Airlines (Photo Credit: PLAY)
The cost of travel is reaching unprecedented prices these days.
Savvy travelers are doing all they can to save money on their trips. One area on the rise is that of the budget airline sector. Cheap flights are the golden ticket these days.
One new service, in particular, is PLAY, a low-cost airline operating flights between Iceland and Europe, with the first flights to Europe taking off on June 22 from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. PLAY Airlines hub is in Keflavík International Airport.
We spoke with Birgir Jonsson, President and CEO of PLAY, to learn more about the new airline and get his thoughts on travel.
TravelPulse: What are your thoughts on the current state of the air travel industry?
Birgir Jonsson: The airline industry was hit hard by the pandemic, but it is gradually recovering month by month. The conflict in Ukraine has led to high fuel prices, but the industry has managed to adapt to the changing landscape.
There are opportunities in situations like this, and when the going gets tough, companies need to find new ways to cut costs. That is what we have been doing at PLAY Airlines. For instance, we are developing AI-powered solutions that make our business run more smoothly and save us money. This ultimately benefits travelers as lower costs allow us to offer lower ticket prices.
TP: How is PLAY improving in 2023?
BJ: In 2022, PLAY Airlines had a fleet of six aircraft and approximately 300 employees. We carried around 800,000 passengers that year. This year, we have expanded our fleet to 10 aircraft, with an average age of 2.3 years, and increased our workforce to approximately 500 employees. We are planning to serve nearly 40 destinations, and we estimate that we will carry around 1.6 million passengers in 2023.
At PLAY Airlines, we have been putting a lot of focus on increasing our ancillary revenue, and we are making good progress towards achieving that mission. As a result, we are seeing significant growth opportunities for our airline in 2023.
TP: What separates PLAY from other airlines?
BJ: At PLAY, we run on a “pay-for-what-you-need” model which keeps our fares affordable. A personal item is included for the flight, and passengers can choose which upgrades they need for their trip, such as a carry-on, checked bag, special bags for items such as golf sets, skis, strollers, and musical instruments, seats with extra legroom, cancellation protection and more.
In 2023, PLAY recorded a World class punctuality with an on-time performance for the full year was at 84.2%, so you can be sure of that if you book a flight with PLAY, our record shows that we are reliable, safe and on time. We have the most modern fleet in Europe, with 10 Airbus A320/321neo´s and 4 of them are brand new ones right out of the Airbus factory in Toulouse in France. Our oldest model is from 2017.
TP: What is your message to travel advisors?
BJ: Despite soaring inflation rates, the demand for travel has never been higher, as people have a built-up desire to explore the world after the pandemic.
My advice to travel advisors is to explore new ways to reach the biggest markets at a lower cost. For instance, flying with PLAY Airlines to Stansted instead of Heathrow can be a cheaper alternative. Thinking outside the box can help travelers save a significant amount of money, so it's essential to look for new ways to fulfill the growing demand for travel.
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