Summary

  • Wizz Air unlikely to operate US flights due to tough competition and past failures.
  • The airlines will focus on eastbound routes – despite the potential of Airbus A321XLR to operate further.
  • Initial A321XLR routes confirmed from London and Milan to Arabian and Middle Eastern cities.

Wizz Air is a European low-cost carrier, based in Hungary. It has grown quickly to serve many destinations in Europe and the Middle East, with several hubs.

The airline will be a major operator of the Airbus A321XLR in the near future, opening up the possibility of longer routes. It seems, at least for the short term, that this is unlikely for several reasons. Early applications to operate to the US saw challenges from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), and furthermore, the airline sees the market as too competitive and difficult to take on. It will instead focus on routes to the east.

Wizz Air and the A321XLR

Wizz Air
is one of many airlines eagerly awaiting the Airbus A321XLR
. The European airline has ordered 47 aircraft, combining two agreements placed in 2019 and another in 2021. The airline hopes to receive its first aircraft in February 2025 (after launch customer Iberia).

Airbus A321XLR landing at Berlin shutterstock_2477294759

Photo: PhotographerKevin360 | Shutterstock

The introduction of the A321XLR brings the possibility of direct flights between Europe and the US. Other airlines plan to do so, so it would make sense that Wizz Air would at least be considering it.

Related

How Will The Airbus A321XLR Change Aviation?

The first Airbus A321XLR flights are due to take off with launch customer Iberia in November. Boston will initially be launched, joined by Washington Dulles. Air Canada previously called the type a “double win”, revealing that the smaller capacity will allow it to serve long-haul routes year round where seasonality used to mean they could not fill a widebody. What impact do you think the A321XLR will have on aviation? Let us know down below! (Photo: Tom Boon | Simple Flying)

Low-cost transatlantic is too competitive and challenging

Wizz Air would not be the first low-cost airline to take on the Europe to US market. Several operators have tried this over the years, with very limited success. Norwegian Air Shuttle and WOW Air are just two recent cases. Norse Atlantic Airways is trying again, with a quite different operating model.

The airline sees these challenges and past struggles, and CEO József Váradi has widely expressed his opinion that he does not want to take on the routes. He explained in mid-2024 (as quoted by Aviation Business News):

“The North Atlantic is an oligopoly across three alliances. It is a hard nut to crack. We have so many other opportunities, so I am just not excited about the North Atlantic.”

He further added:

“Look at BA, From London to New York, it has 34 daily flights, some flown by British Airways, some are codeshared with other operators. Think about it, it only takes about six seats to be dumped against us per flight, free of charge, and we’d be dead. We just don’t think we have a proposition for the current market set-up.”

Previous approval to operate not granted

Despite this current lack of enthusiasm for transatlantic routes, Wizz Air did previously make an application to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for a Foreign Air Carrier Permit. This was filed in January 2022 (according to reporting by ch-aviation), and was only for cargo operations.

Wizz Air Airbus A321neo landing at PRG shutterstock_2416456323

Photo: kamilpetran | Shutterstock

This application was rejected due to safety concerns. According to reports from Flight Global, there were objections as part of this from the US pilot union Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).

In rejecting the application, the DOT explained:

“The Department seeks a safety recommendation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as part of our adjudication of foreign air carrier applications for initial exemption and/or permit authority. In this case, the FAA has advised us that it cannot make a determination at this time as to whether the safety oversight of Wizz Air Hungary is sufficient to support the award of economic authority to the applicant.”

Where will Wizz Air fly the A321XLR?

So, if flights to the US are unlikely to happen, where will Wizz Air deploy its upcoming A321XLR aircraft?

The airline will not take delivery of new aircraft until 2025, but it has already announced the first routes – and tickets are on sale. In September 2024, the first routes were confirmed as :

There have also been hints and discussions about Indian routes. Delhi to London would be an obvious option, although there is strong competition with Vistara, Air India, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. The A321XLR range would allow flights from Delhi (and elsewhere) to most of Europe, and the airline has already hinted that six or seven European destinations are being considered.

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