By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
In an innovative move, budget airline Wizz Air has introduced an 'all you can fly' subscription, offering customers unlimited flights for a yearly fee of €499 (£428; $549). This subscription model, while reminiscent of multi flight packages that have been around for some time, introduces a novel twist with its unlimited flight offering. Similar initiatives have been rolled out by other low cost carriers, including Frontier Airlines in the US and AirAsia in Malaysia, marking a growing trend in the airline industry.
A New Frontier in Budget Travel
The discounted rate for this annual pass is available until 16 August, after which the price will increase to €599. Beginning in September, subscribers can book flights to a wide range of destinations across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. For each flight, travelers will only need to pay a flat fee of €9.99, provided they book up to three days before departure. Wizz Air is capping the offer at 10,000 subscriptions, distributed among the airports it serves. However, the popularity of the offer has led to several airport options already being listed as sold out on the company's website.
A statement on the website notes, “In the case that you are unable to select your preferred airport, please note that the limit has been reached and Wizz Air is unfortunately unable to offer you a Wizz All You Can Fly membership at this time.” Additionally, the airline's terms and conditions emphasize that seat availability is not guaranteed for subscription holders and will be subject to "several external and internal factors.”
Wizz Air's Troubled Track Record
Despite this innovative offering, Wizz Air continues to grapple with criticism, particularly in the UK, where it has been repeatedly cited for poor customer service and frequent flight delays. In June, the airline was named the worst for UK flight delays for the third consecutive year, with an average delay of 31 minutes per departure, according to data analyzed by the PA news agency.
The airline has also been under fire from leading UK consumer group Which?, which has consistently ranked Wizz Air as the worst performing airline in terms of customer service. Furthermore, Hungary's competition authority recently fined the airline €770,000 for misleading communications, including tactics that allegedly encouraged customers to purchase more expensive travel packages. Wizz Air has challenged the fine, questioning its legality and reasoning, and is pursuing legal action.
In addition to these challenges, Wizz Air reported a 44% decline in its first quarter operating profit and has revised its profit forecast downward for the remainder of the year. While the 'All You Can Fly' subscription could be a game changer in the budget travel sector, Wizz Air's ongoing operational issues may overshadow this bold initiative.
