Airline Shutters, Cancels All Flights To BWI Amid Financial Struggles

LINTHICUM, MD — A struggling budget airline that served Baltimore abruptly ceased all operations this week.

Icelandic airline Play announced its shutdown on Sunday, canceling all flights.

"We are deeply sorry for the disruption this causes and thank you for your understanding," Play said in a statement.

Play did not list a reason for its closure, but the company's most recent financial report revealed strain.

In August, the airline reported a net loss of $15.3 million in the second quarter of 2025. The business still had $11.9 million in cash, and it expected to profit in 2026.

Play linked the U.S. to Europe, with all flights connecting through Iceland.

The airline had announced in June that it would stop flying to the U.S. this fall. This marked a pivot away from the carrier's hub-and-spoke model, instead connecting Icelanders with sunny European vacation destinations. Executives thought this would be more profitable.

Play's last available flight out of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) was scheduled for Oct. 24.

The last flight out of New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) was slated for Sept. 1, and the final service from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) was set for Sept. 15.

Those were the only three U.S. airports where Play operated.

New York and Boston travelers completed their trips just in time before the shutdown, but BWI travelers weren't as lucky. Return flights to BWI Airport and future flights to Iceland were canceled.

"We kindly advise you to check flights with other airlines," Play's announcement said. "Some carriers may offer special 'rescue fares' considering the circumstances."

Germany's Condor Airlines told Travel + Leisure it has special fares to "ease the inconvenience faced by PLAY's customers during this period of disruption." Travel website The Points Guy reported that the fares are available through Nov. 30 for Play passengers flying between the U.S. and either Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG).

Condor, however, announced in December 2024 that it would no longer fly to BWI.

TPG said Icelandair, which does fly to BWI, will add an extra round-trip between Keflavík Airport (KEF) and Copenhagen Airport (CPH) on Wednesday. Icelandair told TPG that it is "not offering special fares for Play passengers."

Play offered these tips for refunds:

• If you purchased your ticket with a payment card, please contact your card issuer regarding a refund.
• If you booked your ticket as part of a package (flight + accommodation or services) through a travel agency in the EEA, please contact your travel agent for assistance.
• Some rights may also apply under EU Air Passenger regulations. In case of bankruptcy, claims should be directed to the appointed administrator.

Budget Flights To Iceland

The carrier offered discounted flights between the East Coast and mainland Europe with layovers in its Iceland hub at Keflavík Airport. Fares were comparatively low, but Play charged for add-ons like seat selection, checked bags and extra legroom.

This model targeted tourists heading to Reykjavík to explore Iceland's waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes and fjords. It was also aimed at budget travelers looking for discounted fares across the Atlantic.

Travelers who wanted the best of both worlds could book a stayover of up to 10 days in Iceland while flying between the U.S. and mainland Europe. The stayover program had no extra costs and encouraged vacationers to get a taste of Iceland's northern lights or midnight sun in hopes that they'd return for a longer stay via Play in the future.

Play was founded in July 2019 by former executives of Wow Air, another Icelandic budget carrier that folded months earlier in March 2019.

Play leaned into Wow's business model of connecting the U.S. and Europe via Reykjavík.

Related:

• Frontier Airlines Adds Flights From BWI To Cancun, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, New Orleans
• Southwest Adds Flight From BWI To St. Maarten, Cuts Service From Baltimore To Jackson
• BWI Airport Adding Nonstop Flights To This Destination
• 300 MPH Train Rejected Amid Cost Overruns In MD, DC
• Southwest Airlines Launching Flights From BWI Airport To Virgin Islands
• Major Change Made In Airport Security At BWI
• New Flight Launching From BWI Airport To Anguilla
• Play Airlines Ending All Flights To BWI Airport This Fall
• Frontier Airlines Launching Flights From BWI Airport To Chicago O'Hare
• Southwest Cutting Jobs At BWI Airport, Continuing Airline's Shake-Up
• Southwest Bags No Longer Fly Free: What Does It Mean For BWI Airport?
• Spirit Airlines Launches Flight From BWI Airport To Punta Cana
• German Airline Condor Cuts Flights To BWI Airport: Reports