• Wizz Air announced its first route for the Airbus A321XLR from London to Jeddah.
  • The new route costs £134.99, making it one of the most cost-efficient flights available.
  • But it would compete with British Airways’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner which is far more comfortable.

European ultra-low-cost carrier Wizz Air announced Tuesday its first route for the Airbus A321XLR.

The A321XLR could be a game changer for budget airlines because it can fly up to two hours further. That’s key for the likes of Wizz, given that its pilots are already trained on the Airbus A320 family of jets.

By opening longer routes with the XLR, budget airlines could compete with legacy carriers operating widebody jets. While that could emphasize the austere experience of budget carriers, the price gap will likely be more important for most people.

Starting at £134.99 ($176.57) from London to Jeddah, Wizz’s new route could cost passengers as little as 7 cents per mile — one of the most cost-efficient flights available.

It’s about one-third of the price of British Airways, operating the same route on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

I’ve flown on both a Wizz A321neo and a BA 787. Even on a much longer flight, the Dreamliner was way more enjoyable, with comfier seats, in-flight entertainment, and complimentary food and drink.

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