Budget airline Wizz Air has introduced an ‘all you can fly’ subscription, offering customers unlimited flights for an annual fee of €499 (£428, $549). While multi-flight packages are common, this unlimited flight deal is a relatively new concept, mirroring similar offerings by Frontier Airlines in the U.S. and AirAsia in Malaysia.
Wizz Air has faced criticism in the UK for poor customer service and frequent flight delays. Despite this, the airline hopes to attract frequent travelers with this new subscription. The discounted price of €499 is available until August 16, after which it will rise to €599.
Starting in September, subscribers can book flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, with a flat fee of €9.99 per flight. However, bookings must be made at least three days in advance. The airline is offering 10,000 of these subscriptions, distributed across the airports it serves.
When BBC News checked the Wizz Air website, several ‘airport of preference’ options were already sold out. A message on the site stated, “If your preferred airport is unavailable, the limit has been reached, and Wizz Air is unable to offer you a Wizz All You Can Fly membership at this time.”
The terms and conditions on Wizz Air’s website warn that seat availability is not guaranteed for subscription holders and depends on “several external and internal factors.”
Wizz Air was recently named the worst airline for UK flight delays for the third consecutive year. According to PA news agency’s analysis of official data, the airline’s departures from UK airports were delayed by an average of 31 minutes last year. The UK consumer group Which? also rated Wizz Air as the worst performer for customer service.
In addition to these challenges, Hungary’s competition authority fined Wizz Air €770,000 this month for misleading communications, including promoting more expensive travel packages. The airline disputes the fine’s legality and is taking legal action.
Furthermore, Wizz Air reported a 44% drop in first-quarter operating profit in August and lowered its profit forecast for the year.
