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What’s the Problem with Wizz Air Unlimited Flights?

EcologyGlobal Warming

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Stephanie Safdie

updated Nov 18, 2024

US Copywriter at Greenly

Although some remain skeptical that we are currently living through a resurgence of the original roaring 20s, some of our post-pandemic behavior signals otherwise – as people are making a big deal out of attending and concerts and traveling more than ever before.

💡 In fact, TSA checkpoint saw 2.3 million people in 2019 compared to over 2.5 million in 2023 – demonstrating the increase in travel.

As a result of the pent up demand, airlines such as Wizz Air have tried to take advantage of the newfound desire to travel by offering unlimited flight subscription services – but the long-term impact could be detrimental to our planet.

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of Wizz Air’s unlimited flight program, the potential negative impact, and ways Wizz Air could alter their services to be more eco-friendly.

What is Wizz Air?

Founded in 2003, Wizz Air is a European low-cost airline based in Hungary – primarily offering flights to and from capital cities in Central and Eastern Europe.

💡 Wizz Air also offers budget long haul flights, such as London to Miami, New, Dubai, Istanbul, and Faro – expanding their services to offer routes in the Middle East, North Africa, and the United States.

“ As an affordable airline, Wizz Air is most well-known for offering cheap travel experiences without luxury or additional necessities – with many travelers opting for a basic economy seat, minimal leg room, and extra fees for checked baggage. ”

Features of Wizz Air

Here are some of the hallmark qualities of Wizz Air:

Low-Cost Model – In the same vein as other budget airlines in Europe such as easyjet or Ryan Air – Wizz Air offers low travel prices and requires customers to pay added fees for additional services such as checked luggage, seat selection, or in-flight meals and entertainment.
Efficient Aircraft – Furthermore, in addition to using the Airbus A320 – Wizz Air has been the first European airline to receive A321 neos built in China. This illustrates their commitment to ensure their aircraft is up-to-date, as the A321 neo has been deemed as the most efficient narrow-body aircraft on the market.
Wide Variety of Destinations – As of 2023, Wizz Air offers flights to 56 countries and over 228 destinations destinations – with a focus on connecting underserved airports.
Wizz Discount Club – Wizz Air, similar to many other budget airlines, offers frequent travelers access to special deals when they join the Wizz Discount Club.
Budget Conscious Travel – While Taylor Swift may not opt for a commercial flight with Wizz Air, the affordable airline does do a good job of catering to budget travelers who want to easily hop from one European country to another without breaking the bank.

👉 Ultimately, Wizz Air has grown exponentially over the past few years – solidifying their role as a reputable budget airline in Europe.

What are unlimited flights with Wizz Air and how do they work?

Wizz Air offers an unlimited flight program, where customers can choose an annual subscription to gain access to the international Wizz Network offering over 780 routes across 53 countries.

💡 It is important to remember that Wizz Air’s “All You Can Fly” service excludes domestic flights within Italy and will be subject to availability – meaning there is no guarantee you will have access to the exact flight or route desired.

“ People subscribed to Wizz Air’s unlimited flight programs can book any flight they want any time, but must abide by the terms and conditions – such as various booking restrictions and respecting the 3-day booking window. ”

How does Wizz Air’s unlimited flight program work?

Here’s how Wizz Air’s unlimited, “All You Can Fly” program works:

Customers can choose their membership plan and subscribe to the “All You Can Fly” program
Users will provide a credit card to make searching and booking for available flights easier
Flights can be booked directly from the All You Can Fly website

Wizz Air’s unlimited flight program may prove useful for frequent travelers, but it’s important to remember that Wizz Air’s “All You Can Fly” Program will not include the following services:

Waived fees for checked baggage or additional personal items
Adjustments to be made to already booked flights (it will be necessary to purchase a new ticket if you want to modify your existing route)
Ability to cancel or transfer existing flight reservations

👉 Wizz Air’s unlimited flight program will be automatically renewed each year, making it a convenient “set it and forget it” subscription service for backpackers or frequent travelers within Europe.

The table below will compare and contrast Wizz Air's unlimited flight program with other existing unlimited air travel programs:

Feature	Wizz Air Unlimited Flight Program	Alaska Airlines Flight Pass	Surf Air Membership
Target Audience	Budget-conscious travelers in Europe, focusing on short-haul flights.	Frequent flyers on the West Coast of the U.S., especially business travelers.	High-income professionals or business executives seeking luxury and convenience.
Geographic Coverage	Primarily Europe and some Middle Eastern destinations.	Limited to U.S. domestic routes, mostly on the West Coast.	Private charter flights across the U.S. and select international routes.
Cost	Relatively low-priced, but additional fees for luggage, seat selection, etc.	Starts at $49 per month (basic subscription) with additional fees for flights.	Premium pricing starting at $1995/month, covering unlimited flights.
Environmental Concerns	Encourages frequent flying, increasing carbon emissions without significant offset programs.	Supports frequent short-haul flights, with no robust carbon-offset initiatives.	Higher environmental impact due to private aircraft usage; limited offset measures.
Flexibility	Limited by blackout dates, route availability, and last-minute restrictions.	Offers decent flexibility for frequent travelers, with options for same-day flights.	Highly flexible; allows booking private flights with minimal notice.
Additional Benefits	Discounted prices on ancillary services (e.g., luggage, priority boarding).	Members can cancel or change flights up to 90 days in advance without fees.	Includes VIP services, private lounges, and seamless luxury travel experiences.
Key Limitations	Overcrowding risk during peak travel times; perceived environmental irresponsibility.	Only available for a fixed network of routes; does not include all U.S. destinations.	Prohibitively expensive for the average traveler; not suitable for short-haul trips.

Why are unlimited flights with Wizz Air an issue?

Unlimited flight programs such as Wizz Air’s, “All You Can Fly” pass raises environmental, logistical, and financial concerns – all of which could put the company’s profitability and overall future in jeopardy.

“ “Besides the evident environmental concerns associated with offering low-priced, unlimited short-haul flights to customers – promoting unlimited flight passes could make Wizz Air’s business model unsustainable.” ”

Here are some of the problems associated with Wizz Air promoting unlimited flight services:

Logistical Concerns

Overcrowding on Flights – Offering unlimited flights could lead to overbooking and crowded flights, especially during peak travel season – which could overwhelm Wizz Airlines.
Strain on Operations – Unlimited flight services could lead to customer dissatisfaction, as Wizz Air’s “All You Can Fly” program operates on a “first come, first serve” basis. This can disrupt the illusion of “unlimited” flights and deter customers or employees from supporting the airline.

Financial Concerns

Lack of Positive Cash Flow – Wizz Air could be subject to reduced profitability if customers only opt to use their unlimited flight programs, as the majority of their cash influx is bound to come from single-booked flights for non-subscribed customers.
Overall Financial Security – The main issue with offering unlimited flight services is that budget airlines such as Wizz Air will expect customers to not utilize the subscription service to its full potential: allowing for the business to remain profitable.

💡 However, if customers end up making the most of their unlimited flight program – it could result in Wizz Air needing to increase fees for in-flight services such as meals and checked luggage.

Customer Satisfaction

Disappointed Customers – Wizz Air’s unlimited flight program operates on a reduced-scale, such as by needing to respect the 3-day booking window and limited availability – all of which could aggravate customers.
Accessibility of Flights – Backpackers in Europe traveling from the United States or Australia may not be offered a seasonal pass, which could lead to disproportionate benefits in comparison to those who live in Europe and can use Wizz Air’s unlimited flight program year-round.

👉 As a whole, Wizz Air promoting unlimited flights under a subscription service may encourage travelers to opt for air travel even if it isn’t the most convenient, time efficient, or effective way to cut back on carbon emissions from travel.

Is Wizz Air an eco-friendly airline?

Wizz Air is considered as an eco-conscious airline, having been awarded by the Centre of Aviation (CAPA) for their exceptional efforts to employ the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and their efforts to secure the most energy efficient aircraft.

Environmental Initiatives & Achievements by Wizz Air

Wizz Air was awarded by the CAPA Centre for Aviation as the most environmentally sustainable airline group worldwide for their efforts to develop sustainable aviation fuel with Airbus.
As a result of using the Airbus A321neo, Wizz Air has been able to reduce fuel consumption by 20% and noise emissions by 50% for each flight.

Wizz Air made an effort to increase the amount of passenger seats available per flight to make the most of each flight, developing an aircraft to hold 239 passengers as opposed to the original 180 seats – allowing for Wizz Air to reduce 52 grams of carbon dioxide emissions per passenger-kilometer in 2024 alone.

“ Although Wizz Air is deemed as an environmentally friendly budget airline, the business doesn’t come without its eco-challenges – such as the potential repercussions of offering unlimited flights. ”

Environmental Concerns with Wizz Air Unlimited Fly Pass

Excessive Flying & Increased Emissions – Unlimited flight passes could encourage people to fly more often than they otherwise would, which could lead to increased carbon emissions from air travel – which is especially concerning with the short-haul flights offered by Wizz Air.
Dilute Efforts to Become an Eco-Conscious Airline – Promoting unlimited flights could underscore the current efforts on behalf of Wizz Air to decarbonize their business, especially as the airline is based in Europe where people could opt for more sustainable transportation methods such as trains or buses.
Take Advantage of Consumers & Fund Empty Flight Routes – Wizz Air’s “All You Can Fly” pass automatically renews each year. As many people often forget what they’re subscribed to or could feel reluctant to cancel, this could result in people paying to support routes that are not utilized to their full capacity – indirectly paying to operate a half-empty flight and contributing to additional wasted CO₂.

👉 There are many ways Wizz Air could address these environmental concerns, such as by taking the spotlight off of unlimited flight offers and by advertising their sustainable business practices to attract new customers.

aircraft preparing for takeoff in the rain

How else could Wizz Air promote their low-priced flights without impacting the environment?

There are several ways in which Wizz Air could advertise their low-priced without needing to encourage people to join an unlimited flight program, such as by offering a rewards system for people who fly with Wizz Air or by promoting their carbon offset programs.

Here are some ways that Wizz Air could boost business and keep a loyal customer base without an unlimited flight program which could harm the environment:

Carbon Offsets – Customers, especially younger generations which want to shop more sustainably, will likely take a liking Wizz Air if they make purchasing carbon credits or a carbon offset program easy when buying their ticket. This is a great way to keep business moving in the right direction as the global push for sustainability continues.
New Rewards System – Offering customers the ability to join a reward program where they could be granted discounts for choosing routes that emit less CO₂ could help sustain a loyal customer base without encouraging excessive air travel.
Introduce Flexible Unlimited Flight Passes – Similar to a Eurail Pass, Wizz Air could offer short-term or tiered membership models – where people of different statuses (bronze, silver, gold, etc.) could receive different benefits for flying frequently.
Encourage Direct Routes – Did you know that the majority of emissions during a flight are created during take off and landing? Therefore, offering discounts to customers who opt for nonstop flights with Wizz Air could be a great way to promote lower airfare while also saving the planet.
Boost Off Season Travel – A plane to Paris from New York may be packed in the middle of July, but returning the weekend of Thanksgiving – it’s likely to be next to empty. Regardless, these routes still run – emitting large amounts of CO₂ even when the flight isn’t full. This is a great way to offer special deals to customers without advertising the idea of unlimited flights.

Overall, Wizz Air has cemented itself as a reputable and even sustainable budget airline in Europe – but its commercial efforts to expand via the use of unlimited flight passes could impact its future moving forward.

What About Greenly?

If reading this article on the issue with unlimited flights from Wizz Air has made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!

It can be overwhelming to figure out how to effectively reduce your environmental impact for employee business travel, but don’t worry – Greenly is here to help. Click here to schedule a demo to see how Greenly can help you find ways to ensure your company is complying with all current and future environmental regulations.

Greenly can help you make an environmental change for the better, starting with a carbon footprint assessment to know how much carbon emissions your company produces.