Wizz Air, a low-cost European airline, has announced they have launched a new subscription program where subscribers can pay approximately 499 Euros ($550 USD) per year to fly any route at any time.
The pass will allow subscribers to book one way or roundtrip flights all throughout the year and will have an introductory fee of 499 Euros until August 16th, before the price raises to 599 Euros. Currently, the airline operates throughout the majority of Europe, including routes to Athens, Madrid, Paris, and Reykjavik.
The launch of this subscription model perhaps took inspiration from U.S. carrier Frontier Airlines, who earlier announced a similar program. The $599 “Go Wild!” pass where you can travel to any of their North American routes with “no limits”. These passes often go on sale for an even bigger discount, making it an extremely popular choice for travelers looking for a discount on flights.
Sadly, there are a few strings attached here.
The flights themselves still aren’t completely free, even after paying the subscription. For each flight, you will still have to pay a booking fee totaling around 10 Euros (11 USD), and if you’re bringing on more than one carry-on (which you likely will), you will still have to pay a bag fee. Ultimately, is the pass worth it? We’d imagine you would have to choose one year where you are flying extremely often for you to be make any substantial savings with this subscription. The airline itself in a statement said the pass is “perfect for frequent flyers” and “spontaneous travelers.”
The initiative comes after Wizz Air has seen its profit deteriorate over time, especially compounded by the already competitive budget airline industry. They were also ranked as the worst airline for flight delays in the United Kingdom for three years in a row. Their stock is down nearly 35% in the past few months alone.
