Your rights as Play Airlines goes bust

WorldBusiness & Finance
29 Sep 2025 • 10:56 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Play, a low-cost Icelandic airline, has ceased operations, resulting in the cancellation of all flights and approximately 500 job losses.
  • The airline, which commenced flights in 2021, operated a business model similar to the previously failed Wow Air, connecting European and US destinations via Reykjavik.
  • Play consistently reported substantial financial losses throughout its brief existence, including $66m (£49m) in one year, rendering its operations unsustainable.
  • Around 120,000 passengers with future bookings are affected, with advice to seek alternative flights and potential 'rescue fares' from carriers such as Icelandair and easyJet.
  • Affected passengers are encouraged to pursue refunds through credit or debit card providers or package holiday organisers, as direct compensation under air passenger rights rules is unlikely.

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