Renowned budget airline Wizz Air, infamous for its ranking as Europe’s worst airline, is making a daring bet. Despite the airline’s reputation, Wizz Air believes its passengers are willing to endure long-haul budget flights. This comes as the airline introduces its new fleet of Airbus A321 XLR light-body aircraft, capable of eight-hour journeys.
The New Airbus Fleet
Wizz Air CEO József Váradi expressed confidence that passengers would be eager to grab the low-cost seats on flights that offer record distances for the airline. The new Airbus planes allow Wizz Air to extend its maximum flight time from six hours to eight. The aircraft’s maiden route will commence from London Gatwick to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in March of next year.
Competitive Pricing
Fares are set to start at a mere £134.99 for U.K. passengers, with even lower prices from Jeddah due to the U.K.’s air passenger duty charge. The flights from London to Jeddah are expected to last seven hours, while return flights will take just over seven hours. Wizz Air plans to add 250,000 extra seats from London on the new aircraft next year.
Comfort and Convenience
The seats in the new aircraft will follow the same configuration as on Wizz’s shorter-haul flights. This means passengers won’t have the option to recline during their lengthy trip to Saudi Arabia. The idea of enduring a Wizz Air flight for over seven hours may not appeal to everyone. The airline has been ranked Europe’s worst by Which? for two consecutive years, earning just one star for both seat comfort and cabin environment, and two stars in all other categories.
Passenger Experiences
The airline also tends to separate groups of passengers who don’t pay for seat selection. An eight-hour flight is a significant amount of time to be separated from your flying companion. Approximately 44% of Wizz Air passengers surveyed by Which? reported some sort of problem with their trip.
The Perspective of Wizz Air CEO
Despite potential passenger discomfort, Wizz CEO József Váradi dismissed the idea that passengers might shy away from an eight-hour flight on the airline’s single-aisle, non-reclined seats. Váradi believes that passengers prioritize economics over comfort when choosing a flight. He said, “you suffer the pain if you wish for the economic benefits that you are deriving from the transaction.”
Váradi also stated that Wizz had no intention of operating budget flights across the Atlantic to the U.S. with its new aircraft. This indicates a lack of competitiveness in the transatlantic market.
Stay Informed
- Data Sheet: Stay updated on the business of technology with thoughtful analysis on the industry’s biggest names.
- CIO Intelligence: Keep up with the news and issues shaping the role of the CIO every week.
- Eye on AI: Discover how artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionizing the future of business.
This news highlights the intersection of economics and comfort in the realm of air travel. Wizz Air is taking a bold step, banking on the economic appeal of their flights to compensate for potential discomfort. It remains to be seen how passengers will respond to this new offering from the often-criticized airline.
