Wizz Air Launches Budget Flights to Middle East with New Airbus Jets

Wizz Air, the Hungarian low-cost carrier, is set to revolutionize long-haul travel with the introduction of budget flights from London to the Middle East. Starting March 2025, the airline will operate an overnight route to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with fares starting at £135.

This strategic move comes as Wizz Air awaits delivery of new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, which will enable the airline to extend its ultra-low-cost model to longer routes. The A321XLR, with a range of 8,700 km, is the longest-range single-aisle commercial aircraft, allowing Wizz Air to compete on routes previously dominated by larger, less fuel-efficient planes.

The expansion plans include:

• London Gatwick to Jeddah route (March 2025)
• Milan to Abu Dhabi service (June 2025)
• Potential routes linking Western Europe with India

Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air, emphasized the airline's commitment to its low-cost principles. He stated, "We don't have the objective of flying this aircraft over the Atlantic. You will not see us flying to New York or Boston."

To maintain its budget-friendly approach, Wizz Air has made the controversial decision to omit reclining seats on these long-haul flights. Varadi explained, "Having a reclining seat is a maintenance event, and it is costly, so we try to avoid it."

The introduction of the A321XLR is expected to bring significant environmental benefits, with a 30% reduction in carbon output compared to older models like the Boeing 757 and 767. This aligns with the aviation industry's goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

However, Wizz Air's expansion comes amid performance challenges. In 2024, 30% of its flights failed to arrive on time, and the airline ranked poorly in a consumer service survey conducted by Which?. The company also faced issues with grounded aircraft due to problems with Pratt & Whitney engines.

Despite these setbacks, Wizz Air's new routes are expected to boost its presence at London Gatwick, which became the airline's second UK base in 2020. Stewart Wingate, Gatwick's CEO, expressed optimism that the A321XLR would help open up more routes as the airport rebuilds its intercontinental network following the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Wizz Air ventures into long-haul, budget-friendly travel, it remains to be seen how passengers will respond to the no-frills approach on extended flights. The success of this initiative could potentially reshape the landscape of international air travel, making distant destinations more accessible to budget-conscious travelers.

"We believe this is an aircraft which will extend the ultra-low-cost airline proposition from short or medium-haul to even a longer haul."