At a Glance:
Route: Hamilton YHM → London Stansted (STN) via Reykjavik
Airline: Play Airlines (Founded in 2022)
Stopver: Keflavik International Airport, Iceland
Ticket price (basic): From $670 CAD return
My fare (with value bundle upgrade): Just under $900 CAD return
Included: Personal item, carry-on, checked bag (20kg), priority boarding, seat selection
Verdict: ★★★★☆ — Impressive for the price
Sometimes, travel surprises you. Not with a five-star suite or a champagne toast at 35,000 feet — but with a quiet, efficient little airline that simply does what it promises, and does it well.
That was my experience with Play Airlines.
A few weeks ago, I decided to surprise my dad by flying home to the UK for his 70th birthday. With limited time to plan and a surprise arrival to protect, my usual Toronto–Heathrow route was off the table. I needed the cheapest, most discreet route into England I could find — and fast.
After hours of sifting through options with multiple layovers and eye-watering price tags, I stumbled across Play Airlines: a relatively new Icelandic budget carrier offering roundtrip flights from Hamilton, Ontario (YHM) to London Stansted (STN) for just $670 CAD. One personal item and a carry-on included. I booked without hesitation.
So — is Play Airlines worth it? Here’s my honest, unfiltered take.
What is Play Airlines?
Play Airlines is an Icelandic low-cost carrier that launched in 2022, operating transatlantic routes between North America and Europe via its hub at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. For Canadian and American travellers, it’s a genuinely compelling option — offering budget-friendly access to destinations including London Stansted, Lisbon, Madrid, Copenhagen, Prague, Venice, and more.
The model is straightforward: keep the base fare low, let passengers pay for what they actually need. For seasoned, light-packing travellers, this is a gift. For those who prefer everything bundled and seamless — it requires a little more planning.
Booking: Refreshingly Simple
Play Airlines offers one of the most streamlined booking experiences I’ve encountered. Four fare bundles — Basic, Basic Plus, Value, and Flex — allow you to tailor your trip without the decision fatigue of endless add-on pop-ups.
I chose the Value bundle, which included:
- Flight fare and taxes
- 1 personal item
- 1 carry-on bag
- 1 checked bag (20kg) — essential for returning with an unreasonable amount of British chocolate
- Priority boarding
- Seat selection (middle to back of plane)
This brought my total to just under $900 CAD return — still significantly less than comparable transatlantic options, and considerably better value when you factor in that extras booked at the time of fare are discounted.
A word of advice: bundle what you need upfront. Adding bags or seat selection later will cost you more.
Check-In and Boarding: Smooth, with One Quirk
Travelling on two passports occasionally complicates online check-in — an occupational hazard of dual nationality — and this trip was no exception. At the airport, however, the Play team were genuinely helpful, processing my check-in quickly and checking my bag directly through to Stansted. They also waived the boarding pass printing fee given the circumstances. A small gesture, but a telling one.
Boarding is handled from the tarmac, which means stairs — both up and down. If you’re travelling solo with heavy bags, have mobility considerations, or simply weren’t expecting it, this can catch you off guard. Factor it in.
On the upside: smaller aircraft mean faster boarding times. What Play lacks in the grandeur of a wide-body departure gate, it more than compensates for in efficiency.
One gentle note for fellow passengers: the tarmac boarding experience is a novelty, and the urge to document it is understandable — but a queue of selfie-takers does occasionally slow things down for those eager to get settled. Consider this your advance notice.
In-Flight Experience: Better Than Expected
This is where Play genuinely surprised me.
The cabin was clean, well-maintained, and — crucially — offered noticeably more legroom than I’m accustomed to on economy long-haul. Even without an upgrade or extra legroom seat, I felt comfortable for the duration of the flight. On my outbound journey I had an entire row to myself, which made for a genuinely restful crossing.
A few things to know before you board:
- Food and drink are available for purchase — the menu offers decent variety, but nothing is complimentary
- Water is not free — this is the one policy I’d push back on; on a long-haul transatlantic flight, complimentary water feels like a basic standard. Pack your own reusable bottle and fill it after security
- No in-flight entertainment system — download your films, podcasts, and playlists before you fly
- No business or first class — Play is a single-cabin airline, though the extra legroom seats are worth considering if you’re tall or want a little more comfort
And then — somewhere over the North Atlantic — the cabin lights dimmed, and the Northern Lights appeared outside my window. I watched them dance across the sky for the better part of an hour. It is not a standard in-flight amenity. But it is the kind of moment that makes you remember why you travel in the first place.
The Iceland Layover: A Hidden Gem
My layover in Reykjavik was brief and entirely painless — bag checked through to Stansted, no customs or immigration to navigate, just enough time for a coffee and a dutyfree browse.
But here’s what makes Play Airlines genuinely interesting for the curious traveller: they offer the option to extend your layover in Iceland for up to 10 days at no additional cost. The Blue Lagoon, the Northern Lights, volcanic landscapes, Reykjavik’s world-class food scene — all potentially sitting between you and your final destination, at no extra fare. It’s one of the more clever propositions in budget transatlantic travel, and one I fully intend to take advantage of next time.
Punctuality: Quietly Impressive
Three of my four flights departed on time (or early). One left slightly late — and still landed on time. For a carrier this young, that level of reliability is worth noting. Punctuality matters enormously when family is waiting at the other end, and Play delivered.
The Verdict
Play Airlines is not trying to be something it isn’t. It’s a budget transatlantic carrier with a clean product, an honest pricing model, and — if you plan ahead — a genuinely comfortable flying experience.
The highlights:
- Exceptional value on transatlantic routes from Canada, particularly from Hamilton YHM
- Comfortable economy seats with more legroom than you’d expect
- Fast, efficient boarding
- Strong punctuality record
- The Iceland stopover option is a genuine travel bonus
- Helpful, responsive ground staff
The limitations:
- No complimentary water on long-haul flights
- Tarmac boarding — be prepared
- Online check-in can be complicated for dual nationals
- No in-flight entertainment — come prepared
Would I fly Play Airlines again? Without question. For the price, the experience is hard to fault — and the opportunity to build an Iceland stopover into a transatlantic itinerary makes it more than just a budget option. It’s a smart one.
If you’re looking for affordable transatlantic flights from Canada to Europe, Play Airlines deserves a serious look. Go in with the right expectations, pack your own snacks and a good book, and you might just find yourself watching the Northern Lights somewhere over the North Atlantic.
Have you flown Play Airlines? I’d love to hear about your experience — drop a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Play Airlines fly from Canada? Yes — Play Airlines operates transatlantic routes from Hamilton, Ontario (YHM) and other North American cities to European destinations via Reykjavik, Iceland.
What is included in a Play Airlines basic fare? The basic fare includes one personal item. Carry-on bags, checked luggage, seat selection, and priority boarding are available as paid add-ons or through fare bundles.
Can you stopover in Iceland with Play Airlines? Yes. Play Airlines allows passengers to stop over in Iceland for up to 10 days at no additional flight cost — one of the most compelling features of flying with this carrier.
Is Play Airlines reliable? Based on my experience, yes. Three of four flights departed on time; all four landed on time. For a relatively new carrier, this is a strong punctuality record.
Does Play Airlines offer free water? No — water is available for purchase onboard. It’s worth bringing a reusable bottle to fill after airport security.
Is Play Airlines good for budget transatlantic travel from Canada? For travellers who plan ahead and travel light, Play Airlines offers excellent value on transatlantic routes — particularly from Hamilton YHM. The base fare is among the most competitive available on Canada-to-Europe routes.
Flights taken 2023. Prices and routes correct at time of travel — always verify current fares and schedules directly with Play Airlines before booking.
