Review: Wizz Air - a Reliable Airline or a Purple Spark?
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Covered in the Article
Things change. After writing this Wizz Air review, Wizz Air has made some changes to its policies and the overall quality has lowered. Check what kind of problems their new luggage policy generates.
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 widely known airline for all travelers. The airline comes from Hungary and it concentrates on flying in East Europe. However, Wizz Air has also many routes elsewhere in Europe and the Middle East. If you are not yet familiar with this purple low-cost airline, you may be surprised how extensive a route network it has. If you live in Europe, there is probably a city close to 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 and that is a sign that they are operating professionally. We consider them to be a safe airline but flying always has its 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
One of Wizz Air's biggest advantages is the different route networks. The airline flies to many East European cities where other low-cost airlines do not fly to. Wizz Air offers flights to East European cities which could be expensive to reach with traditional airlines. In addition, they have many destinations in the whole of Europe with top destinations including Paris, Budapest, Barcelona, Bucharest, Milan, Stockholm and a lot more.
Prices Are Low
Wizz Air offers cheap flights. According to our Wizzair experiences, you can fly almost 2000 km only with 20 euros. Of course, it is not common to get that cheap tickets 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 as long as you do not buy too many extra services. Luckily Wizz Air has priced its extra services moderately.
Cons to Wizzair's Low-cost model
Airports Are Sometimes Far from Cities
Many low-cost airlines, including Wizz Air, are flying to small airports. These airports are cosy and you can pass through them fast. 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 really strict baggage rules. At the time of our flights, we were allowed to take only one cabin luggage. 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 their discount club for their 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.
How to Find an Inexpensive Flight?
Follow our simple checklist to find a good deal:
- Compare flight prices on Skyscanner on different dates.
- Choose the most suitable schedule and price.
- Decide whether to book directly from the airline or via an Online Travel Agency (OTA)
- Let Skyscanner to forward you to the chosen booking site.
- Go through the booking process and avoid buying unnecessary extras.
- Double check all the details CAREFULLY before the payment.
Our Wizz Air Experiences
We have flown many flights with Wizz Air. All our flights have been operated without any problems. No delay or flight cancellations have occurred. In 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 and our flight was the only departing flight at that time. 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 that lucky and he had to pay an expensive price for his overweight luggage. So be careful not to take too heavy luggage with you.
Our Wizz Air Rating
Fleet
Our flights were operated with Airbus A320 and A321 fleets. Planes seemed to be new and in really good 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 that 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 keep in mind that you are 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 flying with other low-cost airlines is a good choice if you just 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 much unless you need to bring such important stuff with you. One hand of luggage must be enough for a short holiday. Only 1 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 cost a lot 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 Ryanair.
Have a look also at our other Airline Reviews.
Thanks for the comment. Sounds like an awful experience.
Unfortunately, airlines make often these kinds of promises and it is surprisingly common that they forget details when it's time to fulfil them.