Play Airlines?

You’ll be connecting through Reykjavik whether it’s on the way to your final destination or not.

The only thing included with a ticket is one free personal item— you’ll pay for a carry on, a checked bag, and a choice of seat. And you’ll pay a fee for each flight leg, meaning that a carry on fee will be charged for the Washington DC to Iceland leg of the flight in addition to the ongoing leg from Iceland to your final destination. You’ll also pay for any beverages and food you order.

Note there is no in-flight entertainment (I.e. movies) and there is no WiFi.
Be sure to check their fees for the itemized expenses— the total may add up quickly.

You’ll also pay for any beverages and food you order.

Water is 3euro per bottle.

Hadn't heard of them before seeing your post.

Play has 10 planes in their fleet.

United has 900+

If one of Play's planes is out of service, that is 10% of the fleet.

If one of United's planes is out of service, that is 0.01% of the fleet.

Who has the better chance to replace a plane on short notice?

If cost is critical and a ( potential) delay is not devastating, then Play may save some $$, even after all the add ons.

Just be sure to add up EVERYTHING. With Play, it looks like air is the only un-named 'included' item you can expect.

Play is a budget airline that took the place of WOW airlines once they went bust.

Play is your typical super budget airline where all you get for your fare is basically a seat. You can bring a small personal item. Everything else, except for a trip to the toilet, is extra.

Like Icelandair, all flights are in and out of Keflavik airport in Iceland.

Their fleet of aircraft--all Airbus 320neo or 321 neo is the youngest of any airline in Europe with the average age of just under 4 years old.

Play seems to be financially stable but is changing its business model. Originally, it tried to compete with Icelandair offering connections between North America and Europe. But it's now focusing on attracting the leisure market out of Iceland.

Note also that Play's flights are in and out of Baltimore.

I have never flown them because I prefer Icelandair if I'm going to Iceland.

I can't speak for Play but did fly from Cincinnati to Amsterdam via Iceland on WOW airlines back in 2018, and had a very good experience. Just because it's no frills and budget doesn't mean it won't get you there.

And when i took the above flight, I paid for all the extras—carry on luggage, seat assignment and anything else I thought I would need, and my flight was still only $500 RT.

But again, it is a different airline. I would think about checking Reddit for some info, as there is a FlyPlay subreddit with lots of posters who have flown with them or are considering it. So you might get some more relevant advice there. https://www.reddit.com/r/FlyPlayAirlines/

Wow, thank you everyone! really helpful.