Wizz Air has made a splash in the travel industry by unveiling a new long-haul route from Gatwick Airport to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with tickets starting at an incredibly affordable £134.99. This exciting move marks the airline’s foray into long-distance flights, and they’re making it possible with their new fleet of Airbus A321XLR jets. These planes, known for their impressive fuel efficiency and extended range, will be instrumental in connecting London to the Saudi port city, covering a distance of almost 3,000 miles.
The inaugural flight from Gatwick – the UK’s second busiest airport – is scheduled to take off at the end of March 2025, with the first A321XLR jet arriving at Gatwick when Wizz Air receives the 47 planes they’ve ordered from Airbus.
Wizz Air CEO, Jozsef Varadi, highlighted the strategic importance of Gatwick as a hub for their long-haul operations, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of the A321XLR. He enthusiastically expressed excitement for the Jeddah route, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to expanding its reach.
The A321XLR’s enhanced fuel efficiency is a significant advantage, burning up to 30% less fuel per seat compared to its predecessor, according to Airbus. This environmental benefit aligns with the airline’s commitment to sustainability.
Beyond Jeddah, Wizz Air is also introducing a new route from Milan to Abu Dhabi, utilizing the same A321XLR aircraft. The A321XLR boasts impressive capabilities, extending flight capacity to eight hours, compared to six hours on the previous model, while maintaining a comfortable seating capacity of 239 passengers.
This new route to Jeddah will be Wizz Air’s longest UK route, with flights taking approximately seven hours overnight on the outbound journey. While the seats will not recline, Varadi assures passengers that they are ergonomically designed for comfort and offer a spacious feel.
The announcement comes amidst a period of turbulence in the UK air travel sector, with Gatwick Airport experiencing significant delays and disruptions. Varadi acknowledged these challenges, stating that air traffic control issues, compounded by staff shortages due to the pandemic, the global Microsoft IT outage, and the closure of Russian airspace, have created a complex operating environment.
Despite the challenges, Wizz Air remains committed to expanding its network and offering competitive fares. The airline’s recent acquisition of new A321XLR planes, along with its ambitious expansion plans, demonstrate its confidence in the future of long-haul travel.
Wizz Air’s new route to Jeddah presents an exciting opportunity for travelers seeking affordable and efficient long-haul flights. The airline’s commitment to affordability, coupled with its expansion into new markets, promises to make air travel more accessible for a wider range of passengers.
The airline has made headlines recently for being named the worst UK airline for delays for the third year in a row, according to an analysis by the PA news agency. Wizz Air has acknowledged the delays and stated they are making efforts to address the issue.
Wizz Air’s commitment to expansion and affordability is evident in its direct competition with British Airways on the Jeddah route. While British Airways has also announced flights to Jeddah from Heathrow Airport, Varadi emphasized the cost-effectiveness of Wizz Air’s operations, stating that their operating costs are a third of those of British Airways.
Despite facing challenges in the current air travel environment, Wizz Air remains optimistic about the future, demonstrating a commitment to growth, innovation, and affordability. Their new long-haul routes, coupled with their dedication to improving operational efficiency, suggest that Wizz Air is poised to become a significant player in the global long-haul travel market.
