April 8 is shaping up to be a busy day for US airlines, as travelers chase the total solar eclipse sweeping across the nation from Texas to Maine—a rare event that won’t be visible from the contiguous US again until 2044.
Meet the heavy metal-drumming CEO bringing back cheap transatlantic travel, and learning from the mistakes of his airline's failed predecessors
10.03.2024 - 14:01 / insider.com / Airlines
Birgir Jónsson is well aware of how a budget airline's fortunes can quickly turn around.
From 2014 to 2015, he was the deputy CEO of Wow Air, an Icelandic ultra-low-cost carrier that went bankrupt in 2019. Shortly afterward, two former Wow executives set up its spiritual successor, Play. Jónsson was brought on as CEO in 2021.
Play is now one of, if not the cheapest way to fly transatlantic. It made headlines in 2022 for $99 flights between the US and Europe — but that was only for one leg of a roundtrip.
Looking at flights for next month, a roundtrip from New York to London starts at around $450.
It costs at least $560 for the same journey with Icelandair — the country's flag carrier which Jónsson calls its main competitor since both would include a connection in Reykjavík.
For Norse Atlantic, the low-cost airline that instead uses widebody jets for direct flights, return tickets in April start around $400. Although with varying prices, Play is still cheaper on some days.
Play is run by a CEO with an unconventional medley of experience.
Speaking to Business Insider over a video call while wearing a black t-shirt and jacket, Jónsson was modest in saying: "I'm not an interesting guy."
His foray into the sector began as CEO of Iceland Express, which was acquired by Wow. But unusually for an airline boss, he has also had several jobs outside aviation.
Jónsson's LinkedIn lists him as the co-owner of a Reykjavík perfumery and, until 2018, the drummer for a metal band called Dimma. YouTube videos show his tattoo sleeve on display during concerts.
He told BI his past jobs included turning around the Icelandic Post Office and running a Romanian printing company.
"I've done a lot of things, but it's always the same things," he said. "Running companies, creating a team, building a good culture, and getting shit done, basically."
With a fleet of only 10 jets covering 41 destinations (some of which are seasonal), Play is able to operate the low-cost model across the Atlantic thanks to Iceland's geography: it's two hours closer to New York than London is.
It's a similar airline to the likes of Southwest and Ryanair in the sense that it's strictly no-frills. There's no in-flight entertainment, minimal legroom, and it flies to smaller airports like New York's Stewart International, a nearly-unused facility about 60 miles from Manhattan.
Costs are also saved on training and maintenance by only using one type of jet: the Airbus A320neo and A321neo.
Plus the fleet is almost constantly in the air — around five flights a day for a total of 12 or 13 hours, Jónsson said.
"That's the only way to make money in this game, you know," he added. "The aircraft, they're meant for flying."
Transatlantic flights aren't the only part
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
cntraveler.com
26.03.2024 / 21:15
Solar Eclipse 2024: Flights That Overlap with the Path of Totality
insider.com
22.03.2024 / 15:51
I flew in economy on British Airways' Boeing 777 from New York to London. It was a fine option for crossing the Atlantic, but the food needs work.
British Airways is undergoing a $9 billion "transformation" to revamp its operation.
thepointsguy.com
20.03.2024 / 19:59
Delta cuts 3 routes from Los Angeles, adds new regional flight from Detroit
JetBlue isn't the only airline making cuts at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Delta Air Lines' hub at LAX will have three fewer routes later this year.
travelandleisure.com
20.03.2024 / 15:57
Frontier Is Heading to Puerto Rico From These U.S. Hubs for the First Time
Frontier Airlines is poised for a busy summer ahead, introducing flights between Puerto Rico and two prominent airports in the New York City area — and one for the first time.
thepointsguy.com
20.03.2024 / 15:27
Here's the real reason planes fly faster going east than west
If you've ever taken a westbound flight, you may have noticed the flight time was shorter coming home than on the way there. For example, a direct flight from New York to Los Angeles takes about six hours and four minutes. However, you shave about an hour off the flight time on the return flight, which clocks in at just five hours and eight minutes.
insider.com
20.03.2024 / 11:55
A Delta captain was given 10 months in prison after showing 'reckless disregard' for safety by turning up intoxicated for a transatlantic flight
A Delta Air Lines pilot was sentenced to 10 months in prison on Tuesday after reporting for duty while drunk, Scottish prosecutors announced.
travelpulse.com
19.03.2024 / 18:59
ASTA's Latest Efforts to Fight Back Against American Airlines' NDC Rollout
The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) continues to push back against American Airlines' controversial New Distribution Capability (NDC) rollout.On Monday, the Alexandria, Virginia-based organization launched a weeklong ad campaign in POLITICO magazine in hopes of influencing lawmakers in Washington, D.C.Beginning May 1, American will stop awarding AAdvantage miles and loyalty accrual points through agencies unless they are deemed "preferred," a status achieved by having a 2024 incentive agreement with the airline or by booking through American NDC channels and reaching progressive sales thresholds of 30 percent by April 21, 50 percent by October 31 and 70 percent by April 30, 2025."This latest development doubles down on American Airlines' clear agenda since last year to force the travel agency industry to adopt immature technology, monopolize distribution channels, and squeeze channel partners and customers for cost-cutting and profit," ASTA stated.Additionally, ASTA is offering a toolkit for travel advisors to reach out to their congressional representatives. The organization is also encouraging members to send their clients to SaveMyMiles.com to take action."Tell them to stop AA from disenfranchising customers who book through travel agencies by telling Congress—don’t let American Airlines eliminate consumer choice," says ASTA.
skift.com
19.03.2024 / 15:05
What Are the Most Searched Cities for Summer 2024 Flights?
If you are planning a trip to Japan this summer, you’re not alone. New research has revealed the most popular destinations for the coming peak travel season – and there are a few surprises.
cntraveler.com
18.03.2024 / 22:59
Fifth Freedom Flights: The Airline Loophole for Cheaper Fares and Nicer Seats
Ever heard of “fifth freedom flights” and “the freedoms of the air”? The latter may sound more like poetic prose than legal jargon, but this phrase—unbeknownst to most casual fliers—actually denotes the five official rights that make international air travel possible.
insider.com
15.03.2024 / 16:19
The sudden drop of a Boeing 787 that injured 50 people may have been caused by a flight attendant accidentally hitting a switch in the cockpit, report says
Monday's Latam Airlines incident might have been caused by a flight attendant accidentally hitting a switch in the cockpit, The Wall Street Journal reported.
insider.com
13.03.2024 / 18:53
Meet an 'airline nepo baby' — he's flown for free since birth, gets upgraded to business class, and books last-minute trips to Tokyo and Sydney
Step aside, Hollywood, there's a new nepo baby in town.
insider.com
12.03.2024 / 20:51
The Boeing 787 that suddenly dropped mid-flight and injured at least 50 people is a stark reminder: Always wear your seatbelt.
A passenger on the Boeing 787 that suddenly dropped midair over the Pacific on Monday described a scary scene.