Icelandic low-cost carrier Play has started selling tickets for its new service from Stansted to New York Stewart International Airport.
The first flight departs on June 10, with standard one-way fares from £159 – and a special introductory one-way rate of £139 available until midnight on February 7.
Flights go via Reykjavik, allowing passengers to extend their trip in Iceland, or continue on New York after stopover of one hour and 35 minutes.
The new service brings the number of Play’s US destinations to three, alongside Boston and Baltimore/Washington.
Transatlantic flights to New York will operate four times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Play said it will be the first international airline to fly into New York Stewart since 2019.
More: Play to operate transatlantic flights from spring 2022
Birgir Jónsson, Play chief executive, said: “After we learnt of the surge in the area surrounding New York Stewart and the benefits it offers, we did not hesitate in snapping up the chance to operate from this airport.
“New York is a critical location for both European tourists looking to explore Manhattan, and American travellers heading to the 22 destinations we fly to including Iceland, Paris, Dublin, and more.
“We anticipate strong bookings in 2022, and with New York as our third US destination, Play passengers will have more choices when booking last-minute trips, work-cations, and spontaneous adventures.”
Stewart airport is 60 miles north of Manhattan, further away than New York’s other international hubs at JFK and Newark.
But the airline highlighted how passengers take about an hour less to get to Manhattan “thanks to the time saved getting through airport customs, compared to the much lengthier processes at JFK and Newark”.
Furthermore, it said there are faster transport routes from Stewart by taxi, bus, and train, including Metro North, Amtrak, or Newburgh-Beacon-Stewart Link.
Landing fees at Stewart airport are 80% lower than other airports in New York, and with less air traffic, Play’s aircraft will spend less time taxiing on the ground and holding, which saves fuel, expenses and emissions.
New York Stewart International Airport recently expanded with a $37 million international arrivals and US Customs facility.