Iceland’s PLAY has further expanded into the U.S. with a brand-new destination, Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington D.C.
Tickets are on sale now for flights to IAD from London Stansted from 26 April 2023, for just £169 one way, and from Dublin from 26 April from €149 one way.*
The standard ticket price following the sale will be £199 one way from Stansted, or €179 one way from Dublin.
Dulles International Airport represents the fourth largest U.S. to Reykjavik passenger market, making the airport a key opportunity for the Icelandic airline.
This new route follows PLAY’s first full summer of operations in the U.S. which has been strong thus far, having increased the airline’s load factor by 25% in July for a total of 109,956 passengers flown.
As the eighth largest city in North America, Washington D.C. is an important foothold for PLAY as it continues to expand its U.S. presence.
Birgir Jónsson, CEO of PLAY, said “We pride ourselves on routes that allow travellers to pay less and play more while in a destination.
“From Autumn 2022, Dulles International Airport will be connected to Washington, D.C., via the Silver Line of the Washington Metro, which will allow passengers to reach D.C. within 50 minutes for just $6.00, leaving more money to spend in the city’s great museums, restaurants, and galleries.
“Dulles International is perfect for British and Irish travellers after a budget getaway to the capital, as well as the growing population of Loudoun County, many of whom have family and friends in Europe.”
The airline also said that IAD will complement its current flight offering from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Paul Bobson, Vice President for Airline Business Development for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said: “As the international gateway to the Washington, D.C. capital region, Dulles International is committed to offering a wide variety of airline products for our local community to access global travel.
“As a low-cost airline operating flights to Iceland and the rest of Europe, PLAY will add significant capacity in the low-cost international market segment.”
PLAY’s hub-and-spoke model enables the airline to offer affordable rates, which stand out among competitors, as passengers plan to travel for Spring ‘23.
PLAY’s sixth aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, arrived in Iceland at the end of June and began flying passengers in July.
PLAY is now operating three Airbus A321neo and three Airbus A320neo aircraft, and will take delivery of four new A320/321neo aircraft next winter, bringing the fleet to a total of 10 aircraft in service from spring 2023.
* Booking period for sale between 23 August 2022 and 26 August 2022, for travel between 26 April 2023 and 15 June 2023
Subscribe now and follow Travel Pursuit UK on our travel social media for all must-see travel updates published daily in UK’s brand new, travel trade publication.
