A NEW extra-long-haul plane will soon be available for Brits on budget flights.
The Airbus A321XLR is scheduled to revolutionise budget travel, as Wizz Air has announced its deployment by March 2025.
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From March 31, 2025, Wizz will fly the aircraft from London Gatwick to Jeddah with tickets starting from £134.99 one way.
Currently, a direct one-way flight from London Gatwick to Jeddah costs around £393 using Saudia airline.
Wizz will have another base in Italy and from June next year, daily flights between Milan Malpensa and Abu Dhabi will commence.
According to Airbus, the single-aisle aircraft has a maximum non-stop flying range of 11 hours.
However, Wizz will be using the A321XLR for a maximum of eight hours, an increase from its previous maximum flight time of six hours.
All about the A321XLR
The A321XLR is the widest ever single-aisle aircraft, plus it can hold up to 244 passengers.
Even though the aircraft is super similar to the A321neo, it has an extra fuel tank so it can fly even longer than its twin.
It is worth noting that it is completely up to the airline to decide whether they kit out the plane with comfortable seats, entertainment units, and premium cabins – typical long-haul flight comforts.
Airlines to use the brand new aircraft
Although Airbus has received over 550 orders for the A321XLR, Iberia, the Spanish carrier is set to be the first to fly it in November from Madrid to Boston.
Other airlines include American Airlines, Qantas, and and IndiGo, a Indian budget carrier.
EasyJet have spoken out on the new aircraft, describing it as “quite niche for the network we have”.
Even though EasyJet uses Airbus planes, including four A321neo’s, a spokesperson told Aviation Week it does not intend put dibs on the A321XLR.
The same goes for British Airways and Jet2, both using or to use Airbus aircraft but neither have put a hat in the ring for the A321XLR.
Destinations within eight hours of the UK
- Banjul | The Gambia | 6hr 20m
- Jeddah | Saudi Arabia | 6hr 30m
- Freetown | Sierra Leone | 6hr 40m
- Tashkent | Uzbekistan | 6hr 50m
- Abu Dhabi | United Arab Emirates | 6hr 55m
- Dushanbe | Tajikistan | 7hr 15m
- St George’s | Bermuda | 7hr 25m
- New York City | USA | 7hr 50m
5 common mistakes that could impact your flight
Flight attendant Beth Windsor shared the common mistakes passengers make that could negatively impact their flights:
- Walking Barefoot: The plane’s floors are very dirty and can lead to infections. It’s better to wear hotel slippers or sandals if you want to remove your shoes.
- Using Seat Pockets: These pockets are rarely cleaned and can contain unpleasant items like dirty nappies. It’s best not to store personal items in them.
- Drinking Plane Tap Water: Plane water tanks are rarely cleaned and can harbor harmful bacteria. Stick to bottled water to avoid illness.
- Booking Bulkhead Seats: These seats often accommodate bassinets for babies, which can lead to noisy flights. Opting for an exit row may help you avoid this issue.
- Getting Too Drunk: Alcohol affects passengers more due to low cabin pressure, potentially leading to quicker intoxication and possible trouble. Drink in moderation and stay hydrated with water.