Wizz Air trials ‘budget business’ seats on routes

Low-cost airline Wizz Air is set to trial a premium ticket service that includes blocking off the middle seat to guarantee extra space, in an attempt to bridge the gap between budget and business travel.

The ‘Wizz Class’ service is being billed as a form of budget-conscious luxury travel for short-haul flights. It claims it will provide services that are in-demand (more space and quicker boarding), without additions such as on-board meals and in-flight entertainment that planes are not equipped for.

Initially, flights from five of the Hungarian airline’s key bases will see the service trialled, but this will include flights to other locations such as France. The bases being used are:

• Budapest (BUD) 

• Bucharest (OTP)

• London Luton (LTN)

• Rome (FCO)

• Warsaw (WAW)

The trial will start in December, but exact schedules are not available as the service will be made flexible as and when demand arises. 

It means that the number of these ‘premium’ seats can be modified based on the demand for each individual flight, as opposed to having to have a certain section of the plane re-tailored for luxury usage as on larger planes.

If successful, a full rollout of the premium service is possible. 

To date, the airline does not offer any form of luxury travel, aside from the option of purchasing seats in the front or exit rows that come with additional legroom.

How will the new ‘budget business’ work? 

The ‘Wizz Class’ ticket will give passengers a seat in the first few rows of the plane, either on the aisle or window seat, with middle seats in the row remaining empty. 

Passengers will also receive priority boarding (as well as being at the front of the plane and disembarking first), and a carry-on piece of luggage – although this may come as standard if MEPs pass new flight rules in the coming months. 

“While we are very much about density and flying full aircrafts, In terms of what we are doing with the extra legroom in the front row, we’ve had a lot of requests from customers who are on business. Like getting on and off the aircraft quickly, with a little bit more space to do work,” said Wizz Air Chief Commercial and Operations Officer Michael Delehant, at a press conference outlining the scheme. 

“We’re not reinventing the wheel here, and I don’t expect us to have half the aircraft blocked,” he added. 

Prices are not fully available as the service is flexible, however as the ‘additional space’ will be shared between two passengers (the window and aisle occupants) it will be cheaper than booking an additional seat for yourself to remain empty next to you. 

“In terms of fares, it’s never going to be more than buying the cost of another seat. It’s not meant to be a money-grab,” Mr Delehant added. 

‘All you can fly’ special pass returns 

In addition to the new class of seating, Wizz Air has relaunched its All You Can Fly pass for €499.99

It allows passengers to book seats on any plane scheduled by the airline throughout the subscription period, costing only a €9.99 booking fee for each flight. 

This includes several UK-France routes operated by the airline.