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Europhiles based in Canada, rejoice. This year, a new low-cost airline will begin operating in the northernmost country of the Americas, offering nonstop flights to at least 26 destinations on the other side of the pond. There's more: at incredibly competitive fares, customers will be able to book flights to 13 out of those for only $169 one-way.
Demand for travel to Europe has hit an all-time high in recent months following the continent's reopening. For the first time in nearly three years, all European nations have ceased enforcing strict health checks at their outer borders, welcoming travelers under pre-pandemic guidelines: no vaccination, no testing, and no post-arrival quarantine.
Now that the darker days are well behind us, it's time to take to the skies, and trust us when we say you'll be spoiled for choice this summer:
PLAY Touches Down In Canada With An Irresistible Inaugural Offer
It seems Iceland-based PLAY will be making a splashing debut in the Canadian market this year. After arriving in New York in early 2022, where it became the first carrier to serve the Transatlantic route with fares as low as $99, it is looking to impact America's closest neighbor and position itself as a leader in low-cost, long-haul travel.
On January 10, the airline confirmed the first ultra-chap flights to Europe from Canada will take off in summer 2023 from Hamilton, Ontario. For now, PLAY has not yet secured slots in Canada's top airports – Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal – though their ambitious plans indicate further expansion may be just around the corner.
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They have added a whopping 26 new destinations from John C. Munro International, 25 of which involve a layover in their Iceland hub. They are:
- Aalborg, Denmark
- Aarhus, Denmark
- Alicante, Spain
- Athens, Greece
- Barcelona, Spain
- Berlin, Germany
- Billund, Denmark
- Bologna, Italy
- Brussels, Belgium
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Dublin, Ireland
- Dusseldorf, Germany
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Gran Canaria, Spain
- Hamburg, Germany
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Liverpool, United Kingdom
- London, United Kingdom
- Madrid, Spain
- Malaga, Spain
- Mallorca, Spain
- Paris, France
- Porto, Portugal
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Salzburg, Austria
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Tenerife, Spain
- Warsaw, Poland
Canadians Can Fly To Up To 13 Destinations For As Cheap As $169
Although the inaugural flight will only depart on June 22, seats can already be booked online through PLAY's official website, and customers may want to watch out for this irresistible deal: passengers flying from Hamilton to at least 13 destinations – out of those cited above – will find tickets as cheap as $169 one-way, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Among featured destinations, they have listed:
- Berlin Brandenburg (BER)
- Brussels (BRU)
- Copenhagen (CPH)
- Dublin (DUB)
- Göteborg Landvetter (GOT)
- London Stansted (STN)
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Additionally, those flying to Keflavik (KEF) in Iceland, where PLAY has its headquarters, may find rates that are even more affordable, starting at only $129. There are no hidden costs: all taxes, fees, and carrier charges are included, but in order to get access to the discount, Canadians must book from today through January 31, Eastern Time.
Reaching Lesser-Known Destinations In Europe Has Never Been Cheaper – Or Easier
As Birgir Jónsson, CEO of PLAY, was quoted saying, travelers are ‘hungry to venture to new destinations', and up to 73 percent of them want to step out of their comfort zone for a change. This entails taking longer trips, opting for cultural expeditions as opposed to all-inclusive beach breaks, and of course, going off the beaten path.
Taking a quick glance at PLAY's comprehensive flight map, with dots placed not only on iconic European capitals but also secondary, lesser-known destinations, like the charming yet often overlooked Swedish city of Gothenburg — in sum, we can definitely see they have kept up the latest trends by broadening the options.
Still, it is worth reminding travelers that the airline in question follows an ultra-low-cost business model, and the level of comfort they would enjoy flying Business with Air Canada will not be easily found here – unless, of course, they are willing to pay for more. On top of that, luggage allowance is usually much stricter.
The fares mentioned above refer to tickets sold at the basic level: once hold luggage and other in-flight extras are added, such as a meal, the costs may increase significantly. In order to add a carry-on bag and priority boarding, passengers should be prepared to pay an extra CAD $89.72, or up to $136.99 for per item of hold luggage.
Small personal bags are included in the starting price, as long as they fit under the seat in front and do not weigh more than 10kg. According to PLAY, their ‘no-frills' service allows travelers to ‘pay less' and ‘play more' by focusing on what's important: saving their hard-earned dollars for tourist attractions, dining, and meaningful experiences at their destinations.
On a final note, PLAY reiterates flights must be booked between August and October 2023, during Europe's peak tourist season. Learn more about PLAY's baggage rules, and book your $169 flights to Europe here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Y. V. Raymond
Thursday 12th of January 2023
Of you can only afford $169 to fly to Europe you probably can't afford to go to Europe.