No loyalty program or wi-fi, for Wizz Air the future is all about price
In the world of aviation, as many airlines scramble to introduce new classes of service, exclusive lounges and sophisticated frequent [...]
Wizz Air
In the world of aviation, as many airlines scramble to introduce new classes of service, exclusive lounges and sophisticated frequent flyer programs, Wizz Air sticks to one mantra: price, price, price. He confirmed this in a chat with The Flight Club András Radó, Head of Corporate Communications of the Hungarian low-cost airline, On the sidelines of celebrations for Italian passenger number 100 million.
Italy? A key market for three reasons
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Wizz Air has a significant presence in our country, so much so that Radó calls it "one of the most important markets in Europe". It is no coincidence that all the major airlines operating in Italy call it their second home. "There are three major flows that make Italy strategic: inbound tourism, ethnic traffic (especially from Romania, Albania and Hungary) and the outgoing market. Italians love to travel, and they are doing it more and more."
The result: "Everyone wants a piece of the pie. But this competition is good for passengers: more competition means lower prices and more quality."
"Frequent flyer? No thanks. Better cheap tickets."
While other companies invest millions in loyalty programs, Radó is straightforward: "We prefer to offer low fares rather than reward passengers with points. It's a completely different model." For those seeking advantages, however, Wizz Air offers its Discount Club and the program Wizz MultiPass, designed for people who fly often and want to save money with fixed monthly rates.
And on the topic of linked loyalty cards? "We have a partnership with Revolut. It is convenient, easy to use and well known in Europe. Those who fly with us can pay directly via Revolut and take advantage of exclusive offers."
Airbus A321XLR: the future is already here
The new Airbus A321XLR, the first in Wizz Air's fleet, is already operating between London Gatwick and Jeddah, while a second will enter service in Milan. "For now," Radó explains, "we have no special routes, but we will take advantage of the increased autonomy on existing routes, such as Medina from London.
Wi-Fi on board? Not yet
And here comes another key point of the Wizz philosophy: Wi-Fi on board is not a priority. "We have evaluated it and are still studying it," Radó confesses, "but for now it does not fit into our business model. We don't want to charge for a service that may be unstable or not work well. It is more harmful than useful."
After Covid: more awareness, not more luxury
When asked how passengers have changed since the pandemic, Radó has no doubt, "Travelers are more aware. They know their rights, they know how to ask for refunds and compensation, and we have simplified online processes to meet this new need." But the idea that everyone wants more comfort, according to him, is overstated: "People traveling between two European cities in two or three hours do not want to pay twice as much for an extra sandwich or bottle of water. Especially in Central and Eastern Europe, where GDP is growing faster, the priority remains price."
The essence of low-cost
In a market where the race for the premium experience seems to involve more and more carriers, Wizz Air pulls straight ahead on its course: more flights, less frills. "For us it is simple: better to offer 20 euros less on the ticket than a loyalty program. The passenger will always choose convenience. And as long as this is the case, we will continue to invest in low fares, new routes and increasingly efficient aircraft."
And the final promise on Wi-Fi and digital services? "We will get there, but only when it is reliable. First of all, we want to remain loyal to those who choose us for price, not points."
