WOW Air History
WOW Air ceased all operations in March 2019, and a planned relaunch never materialized. This page is a historical and informational record — there are no current fares or flights to book.
WOW Air Is Not Operating
WOW Air ceased all operations on March 28, 2019 after two years of mounting losses, stranding thousands of passengers. US holding company USAerospace Associates acquired WOW Air's assets and announced relaunch plans in 2019 and 2020, but flights never resumed, and no evidence emerged of an air operator's certificate application. There are no current routes, fares, or flights to search or book.
If you're looking for a current Iceland-stopover option, visit Icelandair on FareOptic for live fares and schedules.
About WOW Air
WOW Air was founded in 2011 as an Icelandic ultra-low-cost carrier based at Keflavík International Airport (KEF) near Reykjavík. It pioneered a business model of extremely cheap transatlantic fares by routing passengers through a stopover in Iceland — a concept similar in spirit to Icelandair's long-running stopover strategy, but priced far more aggressively as a true ultra-low-cost carrier. WOW Air's bright purple aircraft livery and branding made it instantly recognizable among budget travelers.
Despite rapid early growth and popularity for its rock-bottom base fares, WOW Air struggled with sustained profitability as fuel costs rose and expansion strained its finances. After roughly two years of mounting losses and failed last-minute investment and merger discussions, WOW Air ceased all operations on March 28, 2019. US-based USAerospace Associates later acquired the brand and assets, announcing relaunch plans in both 2019 and 2020, but no flights ever resumed and the airline remains fully defunct today.
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Former Hub Airport
WOW Air operated from this base before it ceased operations in 2019.
Cabin Class (Historical)
What flying WOW Air looked like before the airline ceased operations in 2019.
Economy
- ✓Single-cabin, ultra-low-cost configuration
- ✓Unbundled base fares — seats, bags, and meals priced separately
- ✓Purple-branded cabin livery and uniforms
- ✓Optional paid seat selection and priority boarding
- ✓Snacks and drinks available for purchase onboard
Baggage Policy (Historical Reference Only)
WOW Air has not operated flights since March 2019. This information is retained for historical interest only and has no bearing on any current travel. WOW Air was known for charging aggressive baggage fees as part of its unbundled, ultra-low-cost fare structure.
| Bag / Policy | Historical Economy |
|---|---|
| Carry-on bag | Historical: small personal item included; larger carry-on bags charged a fee |
| Checked baggage | Historical: charged separately at fees known for being aggressive, a hallmark of WOW Air's ultra-low-cost model |
| Note | Retained for historical reference only — WOW Air is not operating and holds no bookable inventory |
What Flying With WOW Air Was Like
Ultra-Cheap Transatlantic Fares
WOW Air made headlines for advertising rock-bottom base fares across the Atlantic, routing passengers through Iceland as a stopover point.
Purple Branding
WOW Air's distinctive purple aircraft livery and uniforms made it one of the most visually recognizable ultra-low-cost carriers in the industry.
Check-In & Cancellation
WOW Air used standard online and airport check-in with a strict, fee-based change and cancellation policy typical of ultra-low-cost carriers, before ceasing operations in 2019.
WOW Air's Shutdown & Failed Relaunch Timeline
WOW Air Founded
2011WOW Air launched as an Icelandic ultra-low-cost carrier pioneering cheap transatlantic fares via a stopover in Iceland.
Mounting Losses
2017–2019Rising fuel costs and rapid expansion led to two years of sustained financial losses.
Investment & Merger Talks Fail
Early 2019Last-minute rescue investment and merger discussions with other carriers collapsed without a deal.
All Operations Cease
March 28, 2019WOW Air ceased all flights, stranding thousands of passengers around the world.
USAerospace Associates Acquires Assets
2019–2020US holding company USAerospace Associates acquired WOW Air's brand and assets, announcing relaunch intentions.
Relaunch Never Materializes
OngoingNo flights ever resumed and no evidence emerged of an air operator's certificate application; WOW Air remains defunct.
Looking for Flights Instead of History?
- 1.WOW Air is non-operational and its promised relaunch never happened — if you're researching its story for aviation history or business-case interest, the details above reflect its real timeline accurately.
- 2.If you want to actually book an Iceland-stopover trip today, search Icelandair on FareOptic for current fares and stopover options through Keflavík.
- 3.For cheap transatlantic fares more broadly, compare current ultra-low-cost and budget carriers operating similar Europe–North America routes on FareOptic.
- 4.Be cautious of any third-party site claiming to sell 'WOW Air tickets' today — the airline has no live booking system, and such offers should not be trusted.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The history and status of WOW Air, Iceland's former ultra-low-cost transatlantic carrier
Is WOW Air still operating?
No. WOW Air ceased all operations on March 28, 2019 after two years of mounting financial losses, stranding thousands of passengers worldwide. US holding company USAerospace Associates later acquired WOW Air's assets and announced plans to relaunch the airline in 2019 and again in 2020, but those flights never resumed and no evidence emerged of an air operator's certificate application. WOW Air remains defunct today with no indication of any relaunch.
Can I book a flight on WOW Air today?
No. WOW Air has no active fleet, schedule, or booking system. There is no current fare to search or purchase.
Why did WOW Air shut down?
WOW Air's ultra-low-cost transatlantic business model, built around cheap fares and a stopover in Iceland, ran into mounting losses over roughly two years. Fuel costs, fleet issues, and failed last-minute investment and merger talks left the airline unable to continue, and it ceased all operations on March 28, 2019.
Did WOW Air ever relaunch?
No. USAerospace Associates acquired WOW Air's brand and assets after the 2019 shutdown and announced intentions to relaunch service in both 2019 and 2020. Neither relaunch occurred, and no evidence emerged that the company ever applied for an air operator's certificate. WOW Air has remained fully defunct since 2019.
What was WOW Air known for?
WOW Air, founded in 2011, pioneered ultra-cheap transatlantic fares by routing passengers through a stopover in Iceland, a concept similar to Icelandair's stopover strategy but priced at rock-bottom, ultra-low-cost levels. It was also known for its bright purple livery and branding.
Where was WOW Air based?
WOW Air was based at Keflavík International Airport (KEF) near Reykjavík, Iceland, which served as its hub for connecting North American and European travelers via Iceland from 2011 until its 2019 shutdown.