Fancy unlimited flights? Well, Hungarian airline Wizz Air has designed a subscription-based proposal which could become a trend-setter for the aviation sector, or just as easily plunge out of sight. At Wise Traveller, we take a deeper look at this new idea.
Wouldn’t it be great to get on a plane without all the fuss around trying to find flights? Wizz Air has come up with the bright idea of “all-you-can-fly scheme” which is being offered at an introductory price for a limited time.
Flight Options
A year’s subscription was set at €499 until mid-August, but the new price rose to €599 after that date. Membership includes all flights across its substantial international network, with around 950 routes across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
However, if you don’t have to be hopping on a plane every other day, Wizz Air offers a monthly Multipass option that requires a 12-month commitment. Such flights must be booked five days before departure and apply to flights leaving from Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, the UK and the UAE.
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.
Where’s The Catch?
Many of us are already looking out for a catch, and let’s not forget that the carrier was voted the worst airline in 2024 by a consumer group called Which? So, the sceptics are already circling.
Although it appears to be value for money, it seems the budget airline’s affordable pricing model is likely to appeal more towards frequent fliers.
Firstly, in addition to the subscription, every pass holder will have to pay a separate and additional €9.99 flat fee per flight as an extra charge before they travel.
Secondly, baggage and seat selection costs aren’t included. So be ready for more costs, and they can be from a few euros to over a hundred depending on bag weight and the season of travel.
Thirdly, subscribers can only book flights 72 hours before departure. So there’s no guarantee of seat availability.
The flip side is that if you can make full use of the pass, it will likely be an excellent bargain, particularly during the height of the season.
Pushback from industry
While environmentalists have pointed out the issue of carbon emissions, Wizz Air said the concerns are unfounded regarding their business model.
“The new product contributes to maximizing the load factor during the last 72 hours before the flight. High load factor is a crucial efficiency driver and leads to a reduction in emission intensity.”
“We are thrilled to be the first to introduce this one-of-a-kind membership for travellers in Europe,” said Wizz Air spokesperson Silvia Mosquera. “The membership will give customers hundreds of spontaneous travel options for a fixed price, giving them the freedom to fly whenever is convenient without paying extra.”
The subscription pass is usable from September 25.
Andy Probert is an experienced freelance business travel journalist and PR specialist.
