The long haul budget holiday: Wizz Air launches first flights to Saudi Arabia for £134.99 after buying new plane with 4,300 mile range that could re-invent low cost trips
Wizz Air will become the first budget airline to launch flights from the UK to Saudi Arabia, promising unbeatable fares using new long-haul Airbus A321XLR.
Wizz Air will become the first budget airline to launch flights from the UK to Saudi Arabia, promising unbeatable fares using new long-haul Airbus A321XLR.
The carrier announced it will begin flying between Gatwick Airport and Jeddah from March 31 next year.
The enhanced fuel capacity of the jets means they will have a maximum range of up to 11 hours flying time and burn up to 30% less fuel per seat than previous generation aircraft, according to Airbus.
Th aircraft also has a capacity of 244 passengers, but it is up to airlines to decide whether to add long-haul comforts like reclining seats and entertainment units. Wizz Air, however, has no such plans despite the Gatwick-Jeddah flights being overnight.
Wizz Air chief executive Jozsef Varadi said: The Airbus A321XLR is the most cost-efficient aircraft in its class.
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.
Wizz Air will be using the Airbus A321XLR for eight hour flights, up from its existing maximum of six hours
Wizz Air has announced it will begin flying between Gatwick Airport and Jeddah (pictured) from March 31 next year using a new Airbus A321XLR plane
We are excited to offer unbeatable fares to our customers on the new route from London Gatwick to Jeddah.
Since establishing our base at London Gatwick in 2020, we have demonstrated ambitious growth, making it a natural, strategic decision to operate our first Airbus A321XLR from this airport.
Flights from Gatwick to Jeddah will be Wizz Airs longest UK route.
The airline said single fares will start from £134.99.
The low-cost airline will also base a A321XLR plane in Italy, operating daily flights from next summer between Milan Malpensa airport and Abu Dhabi.
British Airways is to launch flights between Londons Heathrow airport and Jeddah on November 4.
Meanwhile Spanish carrier Iberia has plans to be the first to fly the aircraft from Madrid to Boston from November.
American Airlines, Qantas, Air Canada and IndiGo are also planning to operate the new Airbus A321XLR.
Asked how Wizz Airs fares to Saudi Arabia will compare with those offered by British Airways, Mr Varadi said: BA decides on how they price themselves, and we decide how we price ourselves.
But one thing I know is my cost is a third of British Airways cost.
Flights will last around seven hours and will operate overnight on the outbound route from Gatwick, with seats that do not recline.
Mr Varadi said 15 years ago he thought three-hour flights on an ultra-low-cost airline would test passengers tolerance but found that people vote with their wallets.
He added that people who travel in economy class sacrifice some level of comfort for economic benefits, and Wizz Airs flights to Saudi Arabia are a hell of a deal.
Wizz Air said the A321XLRs carbon intensity is estimated to be at least 30% less than that of other aircraft.
The Airbus A321XLR puts places such as sub-Saharan Africa, North America and Central Asia within reach of the UKs low-cost airlines. Destinations within eight hours of the UK that could be accessible through the long-distance plane that is redrawing the budget holiday map include Muscat, New York City, Tashkent and Jeddah.
