Primera Air
A former Icelandic-owned leisure airline that operated low-cost flights between Scandinavia, European holiday destinations and, briefly, North America before ceasing operations in 2018.
About Primera Air
Primera Air was an Icelandic-owned scheduled and charter airline whose origins dated to 2003, when it was established as JetX. It adopted the Primera Air name in 2008 and became part of Primera Travel Group, serving both the group’s holiday businesses and independently booked passengers. Operations were conducted through Danish and Latvian airline entities during different periods of its history.
The airline had no single conventional hub comparable to that of a large network carrier. Instead, it operated from several European bases, with Copenhagen, Stockholm Arlanda and Oslo among its principal Scandinavian departure points. Its network concentrated on leisure routes to Mediterranean destinations such as Alicante, Málaga and Palma de Mallorca, supplemented later by services from airports including London Stansted, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Birmingham.
Primera Air primarily operated Boeing 737 aircraft, including 737-700 and 737-800 models, on European services. Near the end of its existence, it introduced Airbus A321neo aircraft for longer routes and planned further Airbus narrow-body expansion. Its low-cost service model offered a standard economy cabin, with fares, seating choices, baggage and onboard amenities varying by product and route rather than following a traditional full-service structure.
Primera Air was not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld and did not operate a widely established frequent-flyer programme comparable to those of major network airlines. Its point-to-point structure focused on selling direct leisure travel rather than providing alliance connections, through-ticketing networks or extensive reciprocal loyalty benefits. Travellers generally selected the airline for its routes and fares rather than mileage earning.
A notable strength was Primera Air’s attempt to connect underserved European airports with popular holiday markets and low-cost transatlantic services. However, its rapid long-haul expansion coincided with aircraft delivery delays and significant operational pressure. The airline ceased operations on 2 October 2018, leaving booked passengers to seek alternative travel and meaning its former website, schedules and ticket conditions should now be treated only as historical information.
Good to know
Flying with Primera Air — what to expect
Airline No Longer Operates
Primera Air ceased operations in October 2018. Any current listing offering travel under its name should be checked carefully, as no genuine Primera Air flights are operating.
Low-Cost Fare Structure
Primera Air used a low-cost model in which checked baggage, advance seat selection and some onboard services could depend on the fare purchased. Historical tickets therefore did not necessarily include the same extras as full-service airline fares.
Multiple Operating Bases
The airline operated from several European bases rather than relying on one dominant connecting hub. Most journeys were designed as point-to-point services, so connecting protection was more limited than on a traditional network carrier.
Mixed Short-Haul Fleet
Most European flights used Boeing 737 aircraft, while Airbus A321neo aircraft were introduced for longer services. Cabin features and included service could consequently vary by aircraft, route and fare type.
Historical Booking Information
Old schedules, baggage rules and archived booking pages may no longer be reliable. Travellers researching past claims or reservations should rely on dated ticket documents and relevant insolvency or consumer-protection records.
Route network
Popular routes operated by Primera Air
Notable destinations on Primera Air's network.
PFCopenhagendirectPFStockholmdirectPFOslodirectPFLondondirectPFParisdirectPFBirminghamdirectPFAlicantedirectPFMálagadirectPFPalma de MallorcadirectPFNew YorkdirectPFTorontodirectDestination list is indicative of Primera Air's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of Primera Air
TripAdvisor · 2018–2019- 515
- 410
- 35
- 23
- 117
What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Normal but messy flight
The flight was just normal flight,normal on any other way but some children was sick and throw up in plain....it was not cleaned un till we lending in Tenerife
Posted February 2019 by Sanfran B, Province of Alicante
Absolutely horrid! Will never fly this airline again.
Leaving from London, my flight was delayed by a solid 5 hours. Not enough legroom (even for a petite person like me), rude service, ugly blaringly bright yellow and blue motif, in short: everything that's terrible about Ryan Air, but take that horrible… See more quality, double it by two and do the same for delay + flight time. A nightmare.
See lessPosted December 2018 by woolyd, New York City
BEWARE the owner of this company is still in business
Our flight was booked the September 27th (that's right : 3 days before Primera Air declared bankruptcy). As most people, once I got the confirmation e-mail, it was all set for me. I did not go back to check "if the airline company I booked with still in… See more business". How many people actually do that ? You know you booked it, you move on and do other things while the trip is approaching. I would have expect an email / call / SMS saying "your flight have been cancelled, sorry but we're out of business". Things can get ugly, stuff like that can happen but at least have the courage to tell your customers what you've done so they can find a solution. Even if there are basically zero chances they'll ever get a refund from you. But don't leave everyone stranded with a lame "sorry" on your Facebook page and no way to contact your company anymore (by email or phone) because all your employees lost their jobs too. Even with little chances to get our money back, knowing on October the 2nd about it would have allow us to buy another ticket and to organise. But it was meant to happen otherwise. We did find out : the same day of the departure (in December), just before going to the airport. What about other people who booked their trips and (like us) don't even know yet there's no airplane to take them home for Christmas ? Needless to describe the shock and the amount of money we had to spend for another plane ticket leaving the same day. At least we could do something : other customers found themselves at the airport with family, small children and little or no possibility to spend again for a trip already paid. At my biggest astonishment I have found out the owner of Primera Air was Mrs Andri M. Ingolfsson who is now the proud chairman and owner of "TravelCo Nordic" managing 7 tour operators based in the Nordics. This is part of Primera Group as described on their official website. While he didn't find useful to inform the passengers of Primera Air about the bankruptcy situation, his website claims "strong values and great dedication" to customers. Sure : give them your money, they'll know how to make good use of it and by the way, forget about the service you paid for in case they don't know how to manage their finances. I hope this is useful at least for one person who considered buying or heard about TravelCo Nordic and knows from now on these people are just as unreliable as Primera Air was and it is a huge risk to pay even a dollar to such a company. As for everybody else who is struggling because of this situation created by Primera Air : be brave and even if you don't get your money back, do not leave this to ruin your life / vacation / self-esteem etc. Primera Air already got your cash, they do not deserve your energy nor your tears. Choose to learn something from this situation and move on, choosing your attitude it's the only thing you have left to do.
See lessPosted December 2018 by Voyageur, Paris
Mr Kayani
It was very sad to hear that Primera Air is no more in the Air Industry.we travelled from USA to London. The Air line got a new Airbus321. Very good service Very clean Nice staff.
Posted October 2018 by bak78769, Slough
Direct flight from Wash DC!
It's too bad Primera Air is gone. Its a direct flight from Washington Dulles Airport, clean, on schedule, and very reasonably priced.
Posted October 2018 by Genie D
Sad to hear airline has gone into Administration
We travelled in September with Primera Airlines. It was not possible to check in online with this airline but apart form this the whole process was straightforward without any issues or delays. The plane was functional, no thrills but the stewards and… See more stewardess were really nice and friendly unlike some flights i've been on. I was sad to hear they have since gone in to administration.
See lessPosted October 2018 by Terry F, Essex
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
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FAQ
Primera Air — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Primera Air's longest services were among its short-lived transatlantic routes between Europe and North America. The precise longest route varied with its changing schedule, and the airline no longer operates any of them.
- Historically, important departure airports included Copenhagen, Stockholm Arlanda and Oslo, with London Stansted, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Birmingham also featuring in its later expansion. No Primera Air departures operate today.
- Primera Air did not have one traditional primary hub at the time it ceased flying. Copenhagen was one of its most important bases, alongside Stockholm Arlanda, Oslo and later several other European departure airports.
- Primera Air no longer flies because it ceased operations on 2 October 2018. Its former network linked Scandinavian and other European airports with Mediterranean leisure destinations and briefly included transatlantic services to North America.
- Primera Air's former carry-on allowance depended on the fare and conditions applicable when the ticket was issued. Because the airline no longer operates, passengers reviewing an old booking should consult the original ticket documentation rather than rely on current third-party baggage pages.
- Primera Air tickets are no longer sold because the airline ceased operations in 2018. For comparable low-cost leisure routes, fares are often lower outside school holidays and peak summer periods, particularly when booked with flexible travel dates.
- Primera Air currently serves no destinations because the airline is defunct. Its historical network changed substantially by season and year, so a single destination total would require reference to a specific timetable.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Since Primera Air is no longer operating, the search may instead show available flights from other airlines serving similar routes.