Wizz Air Holdings PLC (AIM:WIZZ) is to launch budget-price flights to Saudi Arabia in a major challenge to British Airways and other flagship carriers.
Using the new super long-range narrowbody Airbus A321XLR aircraft, flights from Gatwick Airport to Jeddah will start from 31 March 2025 costing £134.99 for a single fare.
Wizz Air has 47 two-engined XLRs on order. They come with a maximum range of up to 11 hours of flying time, putting places previously not accessible by narrow-body jets in range.
The flight to Jeddah will take seven hours and central Europe-focused Wizz will be the first carrier to use an A321XLR on a commercial route
Flights from Gatwick to Jeddah will also be Wizz Air’s longest UK route and run overnight on the outbound leg. Analysts suggest it is a clever move given the growing pilgrimage demand.
British Airways is launching direct flights between Heathrow and Jeddah on November 4, but Jozsef Varadi, Wizz Air chief executive, said he is unconcerned about what the UK flagship is doing.
“The Airbus A321XLR is the most cost-efficient aircraft in its class," he said and would give Wizz Air a significant cost advantage whatever BA does.
“Its enhanced range capability allows Wizz Air to connect the farthest destinations in its network, while also providing opportunities for further expansion, connecting more cultures, economies and continents."
When asked how comfortable a seven-hour flight would be in non-reclining seats, Varadi told PA that people “Vote with their wallets”.
Economy travellers “sacrifice some level of comfort” for “economic benefits”, he added.