Wizz Air has introduced an ‘all you can fly’ subscription offering unlimited flights for an annual fee of €499 (£428; $549). This new subscription model is akin to those provided by Frontier Airlines in the US and AirAsia in Malaysia, though unlimited flight deals are still relatively novel in the industry.
The introductory price is available until August 16, after which it will increase to €599. Starting in September, subscribers can travel to various destinations across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia by booking flights up to three days in advance for a flat fee of €9.99 per flight. Wizz Air plans to sell 10,000 subscriptions distributed across its operating airports. However, some ‘airport of preference’ options were already listed as sold out on the company’s website.
Wizz Air’s website also notes that seat availability for subscribers is not guaranteed and depends on various factors. The airline has faced criticism for customer service and flight delays, being named the worst airline for UK flight delays for three consecutive years, with average delays of 31 minutes reported last year. Additionally, the UK consumer group Which? has rated it as the poorest performer in terms of customer service.
Recently, Hungary’s competition authority fined Wizz Air €770,000 for misleading marketing practices, including promoting more expensive travel packages. Wizz Air disputes the fine and is pursuing legal action. In August, the airline also reported a 44% drop in first-quarter operating profit and revised its annual profit forecast downward.
Despite the challenges, Wizz Air remains committed to expanding its offerings. The airline’s introduction of the ‘all you can fly’ subscription aims to attract frequent travelers looking for a cost-effective way to explore multiple destinations. However, the limited availability of the subscription, coupled with existing criticisms regarding service quality and operational delays, could impact its success.
The company’s financial struggles have been evident, with the recent drop in operating profit and a revised profit forecast underscoring ongoing difficulties. Wizz Air’s legal disputes and regulatory issues further complicate its position in the competitive airline industry. The effectiveness of the subscription model in reversing the airline’s fortunes will depend on its ability to address these service and operational issues while meeting subscriber expectations.
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