Wizz Air has launched an unlimited flight subscription service - but what’s the catch?

16.08.2024 - 00:11 / euronews.com / Wizz Air / Saskia ODonoghue

A Europe-based carrier, voted as the worst airline in 2024 by consumer group Which?, has announced it’s launching a subscription service offering unlimited flights to those who sign up. 

Hungarian Wizz Air’s “all you can fly scheme” is being offered at an introductory price for a limited time. 

A year’s subscription will set you back €499 until 16 August before rising to €599. 

The membership is inclusive of all flights across the company’s substantial international network, which boast some 950 routes across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

As with any subscription, it’s important to check the small print before rushing to sign up.

Despite Wizz Air’s offering being excellent value for money on paper, the budget airline’s cheap ticket prices mean those making use of the membership will need to be relatively frequent fliers.

Although the entire route is technically open to all pass holders, it’s only possible to book flights 72 hours before their departure time - meaning last-minute travellers won’t be guaranteed a seat. 

This could cause a bottleneck when the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) comes into force this autumn, as airlines will reportedly be required to submit passenger information 48 hours before departure or face fines.

Due to the tight time frame, it’s also not suitable for people who like to plan ahead. 

On top of the subscription fee, each pass holder will have to pay a separate, additional €9.99 flat fee per flight as an extra charge before they travel.

Baggage and seat selection costs also aren’t included - and they can range from a few euros to over a hundred depending on bag weight and the season of travel.

Nevertheless, if you were able to make full use of the pass, you might make a significant saving, especially in peak season - if there’s availability.

Currently, a last-minute return trip to Istanbul would set you back in the region of €250, meaning two such trips would technically mean the subscription had paid for itself. 

If you’re not in need of unlimited flights, Wizz Air already has the option of a Multipass, which is charged monthly.

These flights, which must be booked five days ahead of departure, leave from Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary, Romania, the UK, the UAE, Albania, Poland and Italy. 

Monthly prices range from €34.99 to €64.99 depending on the country you’re flying from - and offer a one-way flight every month to all international destinations. Despite being charged every month, there is a 12-month commitment to each of these subscriptions, too. 

While Wizz Air recorded the worst punctuality for three consecutive years in an analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data by PA News, it was named the "Most Sustainable Low-Cost Airline" for the fourth consecutive