Deals such as “all you can eat” buffets at restaurants and unlimited monthly cinema subscriptions have been around for some time, but now it’s possible to purchase an “airline subscription” offering unlimited yearly flights for just €599. Unfortunately, to take advantage of the offer, would-be subscribers will have to be prepared to fly all those journeys with an airline rated one of Europe’s worst by consumers. And green activists are up in arms.
Unlimited flights for the cost of three and a half
Hungary’s low-fare carrier, Wizz Air, is the firm behind the offer, which sees 10,000 unlimited annual subscriptions up for grabs. The deal was priced at €499 until 16 August 2024, but has now risen to €599, with an extra €9.99 flat fee payable on booking.
Not a bad offer in theory. The average cost of a Wizz Air one-way flight is €168.54 (£143.52), based on all 34 destinations available to book from London Gatwick a maximum of 72 hours in advance, the window the airline is imposing on the deal. (Travel Tomorrow research on 16 August 2024, based on an exchange rate 1 GBP = 1.17447 EUR). This means passengers could get unlimited flights for the price of around three and half averagely priced tickets, depending on the destination.
However, in 2023, the average Wizz Air ticket came in at just €39.70, according to the airline’s annual report, making many people question how useful the deal actually is unless you are not only a frequent flyer, but one who books tickets last minute.
Check the small print
Given the 72-hour window, consumers face the prospect of finding there are no available flights for their preferred departure airport or chosen destinations when they try to book. It should also be noted that add-ons such as baggage or seat selection are not included, and can quickly rack up. Customers who buy into the subscription but change their mind afterwards for any reason, can avail themselves of fortnight’s cooling off period in which they can still cancel.
Worst airline in the UK
Wizz Air has also suffered some reputational issues. Despite flying 17 million more passengers than British Airways last year, it holds the title for the worst airline in the UK for flight delays for three consecutive years, according PA News Agency analysis, and has also been named and shamed by Which? consumer champion as the UK’s worst airline for customer service.
In addition, Hungarian authorities recently fined the carrier €770,000 for misleading customers with its communications and its upselling techniques – a penalty the airline is challenging through its own legal channels, according to BBC News.
“Like adding wood to a burning fire”
Despite its poor reputation for misleading advertising, service, and punctuality, Wizz has garnered praise for its eco-credentials, winning “Most Sustainable Low-Cost Airline” for four years on the trot at the World Finance Sustainability Awards.
But despite claims that the deal will increase plane’s load factor and decrease individual emissions, the latest subscription scheme could see the airline fall from its green podium, with critics pointing out that inciting people to fly more often could be seen as irresponsible.
“Wizz Air’s decision to launch an ‘all-you-can-fly’ subscription service in the middle of a climate crisis is like adding wood to a burning fire,” environmental campaign group Stay Grounded told Euronews Travel. “It shows the industry has no intention of reducing their emissions and cannot be trusted.”
