Play airlines out of Dulles

[Anonymous]

Has anyone flown on this airline? Going to Paris next week. Any tips?

[Anonymous]

There are some old threads so check them out.

They are newer planes and fine if you know what you are getting.

Bring water because even water may not be free onboard. Charge your devices bcs you may not have outlets.

Make sure your carryon is sized appropriately because they used the sizer at check in (and it’s even more expensive to check luggage at check in vs in advance).

[Anonymous]

^^ agree about the luggage. We flew Icelandic Air and not Play to Iceland, because each of us (family of 5) had a wheelie and a backpack, and even booking ahead, Play would have been more $$

[Anonymous]

I’m flying with them in June. Once I added luggage for everyone, they were still cheaper than IcelandAir by $300.

Two things to know:
1) Ticket counters open 3 hours before departure and close 1 hour before departure. Don’t be late, and don’t be crazy early.
2) There is very little to no customer service available if there is a delay or cancellation. They will eventually get back to you with an email, but not immediately. Same for lost luggage. If the counter isn’t open, you’re not getting any immediate help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m flying with them in June. Once I added luggage for everyone, they were still cheaper than IcelandAir by $300.

Two things to know:
1) Ticket counters open 3 hours before departure and close 1 hour before departure. Don’t be late, and don’t be crazy early.
2) There is very little to no customer service available if there is a delay or cancellation. They will eventually get back to you with an email, but not immediately. Same for lost luggage. If the counter isn’t open, you’re not getting any immediate help.

Wow. This sounds stressful. I think maybe I'm not their target audience anymore. Sounds great for a very bargain oriented 25 year old. But I've got baggage (both actual luggage and anxiety about not having staff to help if a flight is cancelled.)

[Anonymous]

OP here. Well I am 45 and should have thought this through better. Thanks for the tips. Seriously hope we make it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Well I am 45 and should have thought this through better. Thanks for the tips. Seriously hope we make it.

I think you’ll be fine. We were flying them last year when BWI got shut down for a while and we had to land NY and then take off again for BWI and I had no complaints about how that was handled.

I think it’s probably not that common for delay/cancellation problems to arise when the check in desk is closed?

[Anonymous]

Also my luggage has been lost several times and no airline is helpful with tracking it IME.

Not sure I’ll fly Play again bcs with all the fees it might not be cheaper but I don’t think it’s a Chinatown bus or anything

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also my luggage has been lost several times and no airline is helpful with tracking it IME.

Not sure I’ll fly Play again bcs with all the fees it might not be cheaper but I don’t think it’s a Chinatown bus or anything

Yeah for me it came down to fees. I was expecting Play to be more expensive, but for my dates of travel, time I booked, whatever, it was cheaper. I didn’t have to sacrifice checked luggage, which was my main concern. I don’t need food/drinks or entertainment on a red eye anyway.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t flown Play, but the cost savings would have to be pretty significant for me to choose them over a nonstop on United or Air France.

[Anonymous]

Non stops were 3 times the cost. Plus I need 3 tix

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Non stops were 3 times the cost. Plus I need 3 tix

I’m PP that preferred the nonstops, but if they are 3x the cost, Play sounds like the way to go. Enjoy your trip.

[Anonymous]

I’m going to look into this airline. I love the idea of a red eye flight without meal service.

[Anonymous]

Op here to report back.
So we got from Iad to Paris on time. So overall it was a positive experience. But I don't think we will fly them again. We ended up upgrading seats on way back. The seats without an upgrade were the worst I've ever had. I honestly don't know how anyone over 5'5" could fit in them. We didn't sleep at all. They also kept the lights on for most of the red eye flight. Odd.
It's a good budget option. I'm just too old for it at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here to report back.
So we got from Iad to Paris on time. So overall it was a positive experience. But I don't think we will fly them again. We ended up upgrading seats on way back. The seats without an upgrade were the worst I've ever had. I honestly don't know how anyone over 5'5" could fit in them. We didn't sleep at all. They also kept the lights on for most of the red eye flight. Odd.
It's a good budget option. I'm just too old for it at this point.

Glad trip went well. I’ve never had interest in Play, and will probably avoid in the future. We don’t go overseas often, but when we do, will stick to a full-service airline- not that they are much better.