Wizz Air to launch bare-bone Business Class on its flights
At the end of the year, Wizz Air will launch a trial "Business Class" service on a few routes.
This design promises a more comfortable and convenient flight experience than usual, while remaining part of the discount model.
Michael Delehant, the company's Senior Chief Commercial and Operations Officer, announced that the discount airline will leave the middle seats in the first row free, providing more elbow room and easier boarding for passengers. Testing for the concept will begin in December on certain flights out of five of Wizz Air's European bases: Bucharest, Budapest, London, Rome, and Warsaw.
Although tickets for special seats may be more expensive, passengers will receive the same treatment as those in other seats. Wizz does not intend to include refreshments in the higher price.
It is more about travel efficiency and a little extra space on the plane,
the executive said.
This announcement follows on from CEO József Váradi's criticism of traditional airlines for their significant contribution to carbon dioxide emissions through business class services, which he made around six years ago. According to Delehant, demand for low-cost airline tickets remains strong in Europe, but the service needs to evolve.
Wizz Air has recently struggled to control costs as it has had to ground aircraft due to maintenance issues with Pratt & Whitney engines. The airline's shares have fallen by around 25% so far this year.
