Review: Wizz Air - a Reliable Airline or a Purple Spark?
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Wizz Air is a low-cost European airline headquartered in Budapest, Hungary. It focuses on flying, especially to East Europe. We have flown several times with this purple airline. Read how we rate Wizz Air!
Covered in the Article
Low-cost Business Model
More and more European flight routes are operated by low-cost airlines. One of them is Wizz Air, which may not be a widely known airline for all travellers. The airline comes from Hungary and focuses on flying to East Europe. However, Wizz Air has many routes elsewhere in Europe and the Middle East. If you are unfamiliar with this purple low-cost airline, may be surprised by its extensive route network . If you live in Europe, there is probably a city near you where Wizz Air flies.
The main hub of Wizz Air is in Budapest Airport. There are also many secondary hubs, including but not limited to Gdansk, Warsaw and Kyiv. Wizz Air's pricing model is based on a low-cost business strategy. Tickets are cheap, but they include only flights. All other things must be paid separately. This is the classical low-cost business model.
Safety of flying is always important. Statistically, Wizzair has a great safety record, which is a sign that they are operating professionally. We consider them as safe as airlines, but flying always has risks.
Pros Compared to Other Low-cost Airlines
Ryanair and Easyjet are probably Europe's most well-known low-cost airlines. What makes Wizzair better?
Extensive Route Network Especially in East Europe
Wizz Air's biggest advantage is the different route networks. The airline flies to many East European cities where other low-cost airlines do not fly. Wizz Air offers flights to East European cities, which could be expensive for traditional airlines to reach. In addition, they have many destinations throughout Europe, with top destinations including Paris, Budapest, Barcelona, Bucharest, Milan, Stockholm, and more.
Prices Are Low
Wizz Air offers cheap flights. According to our Wizzair experiences, you can fly almost 2000 km for only 20 euros. Of course, getting cheap tickets is not common, but it is sometimes possible. Ryanair may have inexpensive flight ticket offers as cheap as Wizz Air's.
Moderate Charges for Extra Services
Low-cost airlines are cheap if you do not buy too many extra services. Luckily, Wizz Air has priced its extra services moderately.
Read a story what kind of luggage issues we faced luggage issues we faced on a flight from Turku to Vienna.
Cons to Wizzair's Low-cost model
Airports Are Sometimes Far from Cities
Many low-cost airlines, including Wizz Air, fly to small airports. These airports are cosy, and you can get there quickly. Unfortunately, they are often far from big cities , so taking a bus or a train to the city may take much time and cost even more than your flight ticket. This is a common issue with many low-cost airlines. Wizz Air is not an exception.
Strict Baggage Rules
Wizz Air has stringent baggage rules. At the time of our flights, we were allowed to take only one luggage cabin. It could weigh 10 kilograms, and the maximum size was 55 x 40 x 23 cm. Check-in luggage cost more. By buying priority boarding, we were allowed to take another small bag to the cabin.
Wizz Discount Club
Low-fare airlines normally do not have bonus programs. However, Wizz Air makes an exception with its discount club for its customers.
Wizz Air has WIZZ Discount Club that is meant for their frequent flyers. The club membership is not free. For basic membership, you must pay 29,99 euros annually. Premium membership costs more. The advantage of the club membership is that you will get exclusive offers and normally at least 10 euros discount for every one-way flight and also a discount for baggage fees. Your companion will also get the said discounts.
Our Wizz Air Experiences
We have flown many flights with Wizz Air. All our flights have been operated without any problems. No delays or flight cancellations have occurred. In the short term, everything has gone safely and smoothly.
Flights from Turku to Gdansk and Back
Once, we flow a short flight from Turku, Finland to Gdansk, Poland. The route took a little more than 1 hour.
Turku Airport is a small airport; our flight was the only departing flight then. We had made check-in online (at the airport, it would cost), and everything at the airport went smoothly. We were offered a free check-in for our cabin luggage because the flight was almost fully booked. Unfortunately, a customer before us was not lucky and had to pay an expensive price for his overweight luggage. So be careful not to take too heavy luggage with you.
Rating
Fleet
Our flights were operated with Airbus A320 and A321 fleets. The planes seemed to be new and in excellent condition. There was not much space inside the cabin, but no one expects low-cost airlines to have spacious cabins. Wizz Air's Airbus fleet is comfortable to fly with.
On-board Services
Low-cost airlines do not have free onboard service. Wizz Air has an in-flight cafe where you can buy snacks and drinks.
The selection was not good but surely enough for short flights.
Price Level
All our tickets have been extremely cheap. Flying almost free has been great.
Overall Experience
Wizzair is not a luxury airline. If you remember flying with a low-fare airline with a cheap ticket, you must be happy. You get what you have paid for.
Some reviews are circulating on the web that Wizz Air is often delayed. At least all our flights were operated on schedule. Surely, some routes may be more sensitive to delays.
Practical Advises for Flying with Wizzair
Flying with Wizzair and other low-cost airlines is a good choice if you remember to follow the rules. Rules do not differ much between low-fare airlines.
Be careful with your luggage size and weight. Avoid buying check-in luggage because it costs a lot unless you must bring such important stuff. One hand of luggage must be enough for a short holiday. Only one piece of cabin luggage is allowed, and Wizz Air is strict about this policy. If you need another small bag inside the cabin, buy an inexpensive Priority Boarding option because it includes an extra small cabin bag.
Do check-in online. Doing it at the airport will costmucht more.
Join the WIZZ Discount Club if you plan to fly more than one Wizzair flight in a year. Remember that your companion also gets a discount. When a couple is flying a return flight, the discount is usually 40 euros, but the annual membership fee is only 29 euros. So the club is worth the money.
Is Wizz Air a Good Airline?
We would say YES. Wizz Air is a competitive airline in its low-fare category. We feel that they are more relaxed than their Irish competitor,r Ryanair.
Have a look also at our other Airline Reviews.
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