Wizz Air Announces A321XLR Routes from London-Gatwick
European budget airline Wizz Air has revealed details about its new Airbus A321XLR fleet, with the first delivery scheduled for late February 2025. At a special event in London on September 10, 2024, Wizz Air CEO József Váradi outlined the airline’s strategy for these long-range aircraft.
The inaugural route for the A321XLR will connect London-Gatwick Airport (LGW) with Jeddah (JED) in Saudi Arabia, starting March 31, 2025. This flight will be the first operation of Wizz Air’s new A321XLRs, and slots for this service have already been secured.
Váradi emphasized that the A321XLR, with its extended range of over 7 hours from Gatwick, is ideal for connecting to Jeddah. This route will provide a cost-effective option for business and leisure travelers, including those visiting friends and relatives or traveling for religious purposes.
The A321XLR will feature a high-density, single-class configuration with 239 seats. It will operate overnight eastbound to maximize slot availability at Gatwick during the summer season of 2025.
Váradi highlighted the A321XLR’s efficiency, stating, “The Airbus A321XLR is the most cost-efficient aircraft in its class. Its enhanced range allows us to connect distant destinations and expand our network, fostering greater cultural and economic links.”
Since establishing its base at London-Gatwick in 2020, Wizz Air has experienced significant growth. Váradi noted, “Operating our first A321XLR from Gatwick aligns with our strategic goals and showcases our commitment to offering affordable travel.”
London-Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate expressed enthusiasm for the new service, stating, “Wizz Air’s expansion with the A321XLR will enhance our intercontinental network, providing passengers with more travel options and contributing to our vision of being the airport for everyone.”
The London-Gatwick to Jeddah route will become the longest low-cost flight from the UK, at 2,930 miles (4,688 km). Wizz Air aims to offer competitive fares, starting at £139.99 ($177.80), to attract budget-conscious travelers. British Airways will also launch a route from London-Heathrow (LHR) to Jeddah in November 2024, positioning Wizz Air’s lower fares as a strong alternative.
Regarding future plans, Váradi mentioned that while Wizz Air is not currently considering transatlantic routes, it is exploring other eastbound destinations within 6 to 8 hours from London for the A321XLR fleet.
The announcement follows a similar event in Italy on September 4, 2024, where Váradi disclosed that Wizz Air will base some A321XLRs at Milan-Malpensa Airport (MXP) for a daily service to Abu Dhabi (AUH) starting June 2, 2025.
The Airbus A321XLR, with a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,704 km) and a maximum takeoff weight of 101 metric tons, represents a significant advancement in single-aisle aircraft technology. It is designed for long-haul flights and will be the first commercial flight for Iberia, connecting Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) with Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) starting November 14, 2024.
Wizz Air, operating a fleet of 233 aircraft, has ordered 20 A321XLRs to expand its long-haul capabilities and connect new destinations. The airline continues to build on its competitive edge with cost-effective operations and a growing global network.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, Wizz Air