Airlines step in with rescue flights after PLAY collapse
October 2, 2025
Icelandic budget carrier PLAY abruptly ceased operations on Monday, cancelling all services and leaving passengers stranded in Europe and North America.
The airline, launched in 2019 as a successor to the defunct WOW Air, had built a network from Reykjavik to cities across Europe as well as several transatlantic routes.
Its sudden shutdown has triggered a scramble among travellers to find replacement flights, with other airlines now stepping in to provide limited support.
Icelandair adds capacity but no discounts
Iceland’s flag carrier has confirmed it will increase capacity on several of the routes previously served by PLAY, including extra services between Reykjavik and Copenhagen.
The airline’s management said discussions are under way with government authorities to ensure passengers have options to return home.
However, Icelandair has made clear that it is not introducing special “rescue fares.”
Customers will be able to book seats on the additional flights, but only at normal commercial rates.
Condor introduces rescue tickets
German leisure airline Condor has gone further by introducing a dedicated rescue fare scheme for PLAY passengers.
The offer applies to selected transatlantic flights to and from the United States, with connections through Frankfurt into cities such as Berlin, Paris and Prague.
To qualify, affected travellers must show proof of their cancelled PLAY booking.
The rescue fares are available for a limited period, with bookings open until the end of November.
Condor said the initiative was intended to ease disruption and provide stranded customers with a realistic option for reaching their destinations.
Mixed response from other carriers
No other major European or UK airlines have announced formal rescue pricing in the wake of PLAY’s collapse.
Some stranded travellers in North America have been advised to reroute through larger hubs such as New York, where existing British Airways and American Airlines services can provide onward connections.
In Europe, options remain available with British Airways and easyJet from the UK to Iceland, or through alternative hubs on the continent.
Authorities have recommended that passengers first pursue refunds for their unused PLAY tickets through their credit card providers or travel insurance policies.
With PLAY now out of business, direct refunds from the airline itself are unlikely.
Travellers are also advised to book replacement flights promptly, as available seats are limited, particularly on the busy North Atlantic routes.
Industry observers note that Icelandair is well positioned to absorb much of PLAY’s former market share, given its strong presence at Reykjavik Keflavík and its established transatlantic network.
The carrier’s swift decision to add capacity highlights its intention in retaining Iceland’s role as a transfer hub between Europe and North America.
