Wizz Air

The budget airline has announced a new upgrade option for fliers who’d like more space, which it claims will still be cheaper than buying two seats and will come with some extra perks

When you fly on a budget airline, every inch of space counts, and now Wizz Air is offering the ultimate upgrade for those who want to stretch out.

We all know the excitement of boarding a plane only to find the seat next to you empty, and now passengers can guarantee they won’t have a fellow traveller crammed in next to them. When booking with Wizz Air from December, passengers will be able to upgrade to Wizz Class, which will leave the middle seat next to them free.

While the change is being dubbed ‘budget business class’, travellers shouldn’t expect lie-flat beds, free champagne, or a separate cabin to escape the chaos of economy class. In addition to the extra middle seat space, the only other perks will be a seat towards the front of the plane, allowing you to disembark first, as well as priority access to the overhead bins.

Wizz Air hasn’t confirmed how much this new seating option will cost, although Bloomberg reports that executive Michael Delehant said: “In terms of fares, it’s never going to be more than buying the cost of another seat. It’s not meant to be a money-grab.”

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In a statement to the Independent, Silvia Mosquera, the commercial officer at Wizz Air, explained: “The roll-out of Wizz Class follows feedback from our growing number of business travellers who value low-cost travel options and prefer additional space during the flight”.

Currently, Wizz Air passengers can pay to select their seat when flying, with complimentary seat selection available to Wizz Plus and Privilege Pass members. However, the only real upgrade available is choosing the front seats or exit rows, which come with additional legroom.

The new seating option will appear on selected flights departing from London, Rome, Warsaw, Bucharest and Budapest in December.

Wizz Air also recently announced the return of the All You Can Fly membership, which for €499.99 (approx. £440.37) offers access to numerous flights per year, with a booking fee of €9.99 (approx. £8.80) per booking. According to the company’s press release, members who’ve previously taken out a subscription used it on average nine times in a year. People who sign up can fly on over 950 routes across their network, with destinations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Members can book flights between 72 hours and three hours before departure, making it ideal for people who enjoy spontaneous adventures. However, only 10,000 memberships are available each year.

However, reviews of the product have been mixed. In a Reddit post, one customer claimed: “I recently bought Wizz Air’s “All You Can Fly” pass, thinking it would be an amazing deal to travel more affordably. But honestly, this has been one of my worst decisions.

“The “unlimited” flights feel like a joke because there’s almost never any availability! When there is, it’s typically for routes that would have cost around £20 anyway.

“The whole thing feels like it’s set up to make it nearly impossible to use, especially with their 3-day rule. You can only book flights 3 days in advance, which just seems designed to trap you into buying a return ticket separately.”

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But another poster had a more positive experience, saying: “I’ve had 20 flights with Wizz Air from Budapest. They offer a lot of flights from Budapest so its a good start. Sometimes the availability was very good (for example, I could fly to Tenerife in Christmas time when the round trip was around 1000 €).

“I’ve had a flight to Eindhoven in Eastern period when the flight would have been almost 500 €. So it could be a good deal if you don’t have fixed dates and you fly alone.”

Different airlines have different seat dimensions and leg room — and you may wonder what standard tickets actually provide

With autumn in full swing, many people in the UK are heading off for winter sun or a European city break. But comfort on flights can be hard to come by, especially on the cheaper airlines.

Cramped legroom and tight seating can put a damper on your flight experience. It’s well known that seat sizes and leg space vary from airline to airline. For those unwilling to fork out extra for “extra legroom” options, you might be wondering what standard tickets actually offer.

Luckily, back in 2023, Which? conducted a study looking at legroom and seat width among 12 leading short-haul carriers flying out of the UK, reports the Express.

The study looked at “seat pitch” — the distance between your seat and the one in front — as a measure of legroom. Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, and KLM came out on top, offering a generous seat pitch of 31 to 32 inches, 29 to 33 inches, and 30 to 32 inches respectively. On the other hand, Wizz Air and TUI were at the bottom of the pile, both providing a seat pitch of just 28 inches.

When it comes to seat width – the actual space between the two armrests either side of your seat – most airlines offer similar dimensions, around 17 inches. However, easyJet, TAP Portugal, and Lufthansa provide slightly more room, at 18 inches.

Airlines that offer the most to least legroom (in inches)

• Aer Lingus: 31-32
• British Airways: 29-31
• easyJet: 29
• Jet2: 28-31
• KLM: 29-33
• Lufthansa: 30-32
• Norwegian: 29-31
• Ryanair: 30
• TAP Portugal: 28-31
• TUI: 29
• Vueling: 29-30
• Wizz Air: 28

Air Canada has announced it has begun serving complimentary beer, wine and snacks to economy passengers on every flight across its network, in a major win for those who love free stuff

“Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps please.”

No longer will this request be met with an eye-watering bill when made at 30,000 feet, at least on one airline.

Air Canada has announced it has begun serving free beer, wine and snacks to economy passengers on every flight across its network.

That is a significant change, as previously the airline only served free alcohol and food to economy passengers on long-haul flights.

As generous as it may sound, the policy is designed to be a cost-effective way to keep passengers flying with Air Canada. Scott O’Leary, vice president of loyalty and product, explained the rationale in a statement.

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“Food and beverage tend to have a disproportionate impact on customer satisfaction. As part of our commitment to elevating the onboard experience, we’re delighted to introduce even more exciting new options to our menus,” he said.

“These upgrades offer something for everyone and proudly showcase Canadian brands so that our customers can sit back, relax and kick-start their travels no matter where they’re going.”

What customers can expect to get for free on economy flights varies significantly.

Unsurprisingly, budget carriers such as Wizz Air, Ryanair and easyJet provide nothing for free.

Airlines offering free drinks on short-haul flights include KLM, which offers a free snack and drink on all European flights, and LOT Polish Airlines, providing free beer, wine, or juice on their short-haul routes.

Free water and snacks are also typically available with British Airways, though the extent of the service can vary by division and route. For other airlines like Lufthansa and Swiss, only a complimentary bottle of water and perhaps a small snack are provided.

For short and medium-haul flights within Europe, Lufthansa offers a paid “Onboard Delights” service where passengers can purchase food and drinks.

Air France offers free food on many of its flights. While a “buy on board” system is being tested on some routes, most flights still provide complimentary meals, snacks, and beverages, depending on the flight duration and class. Passengers on short and medium-haul flights can expect a free sandwich, pastry, or snack, along with a drink.

On short and mid-haul TUI flights (less than seven hours), a variety of hot and cold snacks and drinks are available for purchase from the onboard café.

Most full-service airlines do still include meals and drinks on long-haul routes. Think flights to the US, Asia, or the Caribbean.

• British Airways: Even on the cheapest economy fare, you can get complimentary meals, snacks, and drinks.
• Virgin Atlantic: Offers free meals and drinks, and they’re known for a decent veggie option.
• Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines: All offer full meal service in economy, and it’s usually good quality. You’ll get at least two meals plus snacks and unlimited drinks.
• Turkish Airlines: Generally provides free meals on their international flights, including both economy and business class. On longer flights, passengers are typically offered a choice of main courses, side dishes, bread, and dessert. Drinks are also complimentary on all flights.
• Air France: On long-haul flights, an extensive selection of meals is offered, including hot dishes, and passengers can also purchase a la carte meals in advance.
• American Airlines: Meals and drinks are typically included on international flights, including wine and beer
• United: United Airlines offers complimentary food on most flights, especially on longer distances and for higher class tickets.
• Air Canada: Generally offers complimentary meals and snacks on international flights. On flights longer than 2 hours, you’ll typically receive a complimentary meal and beverage service, including salad, warm bread, a hot entrée, and dessert.
• Tui: On long-haul flights (seven hours or more), a complimentary meal is included. Additional drinks and snacks can still be purchased on these flights as well
• Lufthansa: Lufthansa generally provides complimentary meals and drinks on long-haul flights
• KLM: Provides complimentary meals and drinks on most of its flights. The specific offerings vary depending on the flight duration and class of travel, but generally include snacks and drinks on shorter flights and more substantial meals on longer routes.

Leg room can be an important factor for many passengers. Here are the airlines that offer the most room without having to pay extra

When it comes to jetting off, whether it’s a short-haul or long-haul flight, comfort is often a top priority. For those who are taller or struggle with leg space, the prospect of a cramped flight can be less than appealing.

The size of the seats and the amount of leg room can vary greatly depending on which airline you choose to fly with. As we head into the shoulder season for travel, many holidaymakers might be planning ahead for their Christmas or next summer.

Starting your holiday on the right note with a comfortable plane journey can be a deciding factor when choosing an airline. So, without having to fork out extra for additional legroom, which airlines offer the most space when buying a standard ticket?

According to a survey by consumer watchdog Which?, one airline offers more legroom than 15 other short-haul carriers from the UK. The survey measured seat pitch, which is the distance between your seat and the one in front – to determine legroom.

Taking the leading position is Aer Lingus, Ireland’s flag carrier, offering 29 to 30 inches. However – British Airways provide the same amount of room with exactly the same pitch.

The poorest performer regarding leg space is TAP Portugal, which provides just 28 inches of legroom, reports the Express.

Here’s a rundown from the airlines offering the most legroom to those offering the least:

When it comes to short haul flights, the seat width is between 17 and 18 inches which may not sound like much – but that extra inch can make a lot of difference.

You’re all set for your dream holiday, breezed through security and about to board the aeroplane when you spot it: a tiny middle seat that’s going to be your home for the duration of your flight.

Thankfully, there’s now a method to determine which budget airline offers the widest seats, ensuring you don’t have to compromise on comfort.

Last year, Which? did the maths to identify which airlines offer the most spacious seats, helping you get the best value for your money.

For short haul flights, the seat width (the distance between each armrest) typically ranges from 17 to 18 inches, which might not seem like a significant difference, reports the Express.

However, that additional inch can make a world of difference when you’re crammed in like sardines.

According to the experts, the airlines offering the widest economy seats include Wizz Air, TAP Portugal, easyJet and Lufthansa, all boasting widths of 18 inches.

This leaves airlines like Aer Lingus, Loganair, Jet2 and Norwegian with the narrowest seat widths, which can all be as low as 17 inches. Below is a breakdown of airline seat width and legroom in inches.

If you’re looking to maximise space on your budget flight without shelling out extra cash, there are a few tricks you can employ.

One hack is to book a seat in the bulkhead – the seats located directly behind the partitions, curtains or screens that divide the plane. With no seats in front, you’ll have enough room to stretch your legs.

However, these can be a bit narrower if tray tables are stowed in the armrest.

If a bulkhead doesn’t take your fancy, opt for a seat towards the back of the plane where they taper. This could occasionally result in fewer seats in a row – but naturally, you might find yourself next to the loo queue which can be somewhat disruptive.

If you’re on a flight that’s already airborne and you spot extra vacant seats, you can always politely ask the cabin crew if it would be possible to switch.

Remember, if you don’t ask, you won’t get – and provided you’re polite, there’s a likelihood they will accommodate your request.

If you have additional requirements that would benefit from more room, such as being tall or pregnant, you’ve got a better chance of being relocated to a more spacious area.

A savvy traveller decided to use a very unique hack to stow some extra hand luggage on her return flight – and the flight attendants didn’t even bat an eyelid

A clever hack involving undergarments has gone viral after one traveller revealed how she “stuffed” her bra before a Wizz Air flight – saving her a fortune on baggage costs.

The cost of adding extra baggage onto flights can sometimes be more expensive than the ticket itself – with restrictions getting tighter on hand luggage.

Budget airlines like RyanAir and EasyJet notoriously make last-minute checks at the gate – sometimes resulting in extra fees for those who are slightly over the limit. But one woman has revealed a clever trick for sneaking in extra clothes – and it’s all in her bra.

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Chelsea Dickenson was flying home from Lisbon with Wizz Air who only allow a tiny 40 x 30 x 20cm cabin bag for free.

And while she managed the outbound flight fine, she wanted to try out the clever hack for her return journey. Just before her flight, she bagged herself a giant bra – that was not her size – for less than £5 from a local shop.

“I’d never seen anyone use a bra for this purpose. And the logic was solid: airlines weigh and measure your bag, not your body. My coat pockets had been carrying overflow snacks and chargers for years, so why not give my chest a piece of the action too?,” she told the Metro.

After making it through security, she headed straight to the toilets to get changed into her bra – surprisingly fitting a lot of clothes inside.

“On the day of my flight, I wasn’t about to stroll through security looking like I’d got a Portuguese breast enlargement – this was about getting through the scales and bag sizers,” she explained.

Chelsea stuffed the bra with her gym kit, a bikini, and a fishing vest. But one thing she hadn’t prepared for was the intense heat the extra padding would provide.

“It was like a private heat wave,” she wrote. Her boyfriend James also found the sight amusing.

At the gate, the flight attendants didn’t bat an eyelid and let them board the plane smoothly. But while it worked, she admits she wouldn’t do it again and would opt for less invasive options.

Top packing hacks to avoid extra baggage fees

1. Roll your clothes

Rolling clothes like T-shirts, jeans and dresses can save a lot of space in hand luggage thanks to making the items more compact compared to simply folding.

2. Packing cubes

Investing in packing cubes can save space – especially those that are vacuum packed meaning you can get rid of excess air and flat pack your clothes with ease.

3. Wear bulky items

On the plane, opt to wear your more bulky items like coats, jackets, hoodies or tracksuits. While you might be warm layering clothes, you can always remove them onboard and stow them in the overhead lockers.

4. Place heavy items at the bottom of hand luggage

Strategically packing can save a lot of space, with heavy items helping to keep the bag’s structure while offering more room for lighter items on top.

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There are plenty of great destinations to try out for solo travellers but there is one European country that stands out above the rest and even better it is only a three hour flight from the UK

The prospect of solo travel can be intimidating for many, with the thought of a lengthy and uncomfortable journey often serving as a deterrent. There’s a common belief that an individual must venture far and wide to experience new flavours, immerse themselves in cultural activities, meet like-minded individuals, or delve into a country’s rich history.

However, it appears that these experiences can be found much closer to home – specifically, in Europe. Lithuania ticks all these boxes, and the best part is, travellers don’t have to endure a long-haul flight.

While embarking on a solo adventure to distant locations, like Australia or Thailand, is undoubtedly an extraordinary opportunity, planning such these trips can be time-consuming and the journey itself can be quite exhausting, especially when travelling alone.

On the other hand, hidden gems like Lithuania offer a significantly shorter travel time, with flights from the UK capital taking less than three hours, reports the Express.

What’s more, Vilnius Airport’s proximity to the city centre means it takes just half an hour to reach the number of hotels and hostels available, allowing solo travellers to maximise their time exploring the city’s heart.

Another crucial factor for those considering embarking on a solo travel adventure is ensuring the destination is safe and easily navigable.

In Lithuania, visitors can rest assured that they will feel secure, regardless of their chosen accommodation.

Based on the Institute for Economics & Peace 2023 Global Peace Index, Lithuania has surpassed its neighbouring countries Latvia, Estonia and Poland when it comes to overall safety.

Meanwhile in the 2024 study, Lithuania jumped six places to 31st in the rankings beating the likes of Poland, Italy and the UK.

For travellers keen to dive deep into Lithuanian culture and perhaps extend their stay for a more substantial visit, there are numerous options to explore.

Vilnius serves as Lithuania’s capital, and the historic old town stands out as the must-see attraction, earning praise from TripAdvisor users with an impressive 4.6-star rating.

One visitor enthused: “Loved walking around to see the charming old town and its establishments. My visit was in December during the Christmas season so the visit was extra special. Many good shops to visit and tasty food to try! Would definitely recommend it as there must be something for everyone.”

Another traveller said: “Vilnius old town is an architectural gem. There are many styles but the stand out is the Baroque period of building. It’s fascinating to go from medieval to Baroque in the street and to have such a rich cultural history laid before you. Also, the terrain is undulating with some steep hills which gives it an other dimension.”

A third visitor shared: “We explored the old town with a local expert, as part of an Insight Vacations ‘Northern Capitals’ tour. Lovely old buildings and so much history!

“Some of the shops are excellent for gifts etc, including amber. We had an excellent dinner at a local beer restaurant (also had other beverages) – most enjoyable!” The KGB Museum (Genocido Auku Muziejus) ranks as the second top-rated spot on the travel review platform.

This niche museum is devoted to documenting the 50-year Soviet rule over Lithuania.

A visitor remarked: “This is a fairly small museum but is packed with information exposing some of the horrors of Lithuania’s past right up to the 1980’s. The price to enter was six euros per person and we easily spent 2.5 hours there.

“So much to read & look at but if you prefer you can pay for an audio tour which I believe was around 20 euros. Included in the price you can visit the cells & outdoor yard space downstairs, there were far more than I was expecting which gave a grim but interesting insight into what took place here.”

Another added: “What an experience. We didn’t really know much about the history of Lithuania and the Soviet Union and this was very informative and disturbing.”

A user said: “We booked an English tour beforehand. We were so glad we did. The tour was just for the two of us and the guide was excellent. He answered all our questions and gave us a really comprehensive explanation of how the building was used by the KGB.”

Where to stay in Lithuania?

Securing an apartment or even a whole cottage is straightforward, and luxury five-star hotels begin at a mere €150 (£130) per night. Additionally, Lithuania boasts a selection of hostels for those on a budget.

The sun isn’t the only source of radiant positivity during Lithuania’s summer. The locals exude such a cheerful vibe that Lithuania clinched the top spot for individuals under 30 in the annual World Happiness Report, ranking 16th overall.

Lithuanians are immensely proud of this accolade and are eager to share their warmth and joy with solo travellers keen to explore the marvels of Lithuania and its rich culture.

How to reach Lithuania?

Numerous UK airports offer flights to Lithuania. From London, you can jet off to Vilnius, Kaunas, and Palanga.

These direct flights take approximately two hours and 45 minutes. On average, these flights are priced at £57, with budget airlines like Wizz Air and Ryanair offering services to Lithuania.

For those in Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, you’ll need to catch a connecting flight via London before heading to the Balkan nation.

The airline has disclosed plans for new routes for airline passengers looking for a holiday

Ryanair has announced four new routes in Portugal. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has unveiled four new routes in Portugal for the winter – including one to an ‘epic hidden gem’.

The airline’s new routes will see flights go from Porto to Gothenburg and Porto to Polish capital Warsaw. It will also see flights run from Faro to Krakow in Poland, and from Funchal to Shannon in Ireland.

Krakow is seen by many as an unheralded but beautiful destination for tourists with stunning castles in the city and surrounding area. It has a medieval Old Town and a rich history.

The Sunshine Seeker travel website describes the city as an ‘epic hidden gem’. In a glowing reference, it says “there’s a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be discovered off the beaten path.”

Charlotte, who runs the site, listed the breathtaking Zakrzówek Park and Lake, St. Joseph’s Church and Tyniec Abbey as all spots well worth a visit. She also named museums, galleries and markets – and drew attention to the city’s many moving landmarks to the Holocaust. At least three million Jewish Poles were killed during the Nazi occupation of Poland.

Ryanair and the move to new routes

The airline is omitting Lisbon from the list for new routes. This is because, according to Ryanair’s CEO, ANA, which operates most of the nation’s airports, admits to having reached maximum capacity in the country’s capital.

However, O’Leary insists that Lisbon airport can accommodate more traffic if it were given the slots for takeoff and landing permits that Portuguese airline TAP does not use. He said Montijo Airport, a new airport infrastructure in Lisbon, would be more viable than Alcochete, because it would be operational more quickly.

Meanwhile, Ryanair has bolstered its Madeira operations this winter by putting a third aircraft in Funchal (FNC) and adding a new route, part of 171 routes across Portugal. The news comes as man air carriers have increased their routes this winter to Spain.

That has happened after Ryanair said it would cut around 600,000 seats to and from the country, as well as about 400,000 seats to and from the Canary Islands. That change is part of a disagreement with another airport operator.

Vueling, Iberia Express, and Binter have added 434,000 extra seats compared to last autumn and winter already. Other airlines, including Volotea and Wizz Air, have also expressed a desire to fill part of this gap.

Ryanair has blamed the Spanish airport operator Aena for the move – and criticised its decision to raise the fees it imposes on airlines. Ryanair has, in addition, shut its two-aircraft base in Santiago, located in northwest Spain, and put a halt to all flights to Vigo and Tenerife North.

Ryanair’s chief executive, Eddie Wilson, said AENA’s decision to ramp up airport charges by 6.62% as “excessive”. The Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, said if Ryanair leaves certain airports, other airlines will take on that capacity. “The king is dead, long live the king!” Puente said – attacking the Irish airline’s alleged ‘blackmail’.

AENA’s president, Maurici Lucena, accused Ryanair of distorting the figures. He said the airline was attempting to ‘make more money’ at the expense of taxpayers.

The analysis looked at departure data for six of the biggest airlines – British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, Tui and Wizz Air – between May 2024 and April 2025. They show that all of the airlines were less punctual now than before the pandemic in 2019

The worst offending airlines for delays have been revealed amid an industry-wide slipping of standards.

Take-offs within 15 minutes of planned departure times are down significantly pre-Covid compared to now for almost all major airlines flying through UK airspace, according to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data.

There are several factors in play, including a rise in the number of flights taking off, airspace restrictions as a result of military conflicts and issues with air traffic control (ATC) staffing.

Which? studied checked departure data for six of the biggest airlines – British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, Tui and Wizz Air – between May 2024 and April 2025. They show that all of the airlines were less punctual now than before the pandemic in 2019.

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Out of the six big UK airlines, Tui was the worst for punctuality according to the analysis, with the lowest average percentage of on-time departures. Back in 2019, an average of 67.2 per cent of Tui’s departures were on time, but by 2024–25, that had slipped to 59.2 per cent.

Second-worst for punctuality for the time period Which? looked at was Wizz Air. Its average on-time rate was already as low as 66.8 per cent back in 2019, and by 2023 it had plummeted to 55.6 per cent. In 2024–25 it now has fewer delays with 66 per cent, almost back to its pre-pandemic level.

It’s a similar story for Ryanair, whose average on-time departures were at 77.8 per cent in 2019 but fell to 63 per cent by 2022, only recovering to 66.5 per cent by 2024–25.

easyJet’s punctuality was 70.6 per cent in 2019 but dropped to 67.8 per cent in 2024–25, while the CAA data also showed a decline in Jet2’s punctuality. In 2019 departures punctuality was 81.8 per cent, and in 2024–25 was 68 per cent.

British Airways’ punctuality was at 71.5 per cent in 2019, and as high as 75.8 per cent the year before. By 2024–25 it had fallen to 68.7 per cent.

Some airlines are blaming air traffic control (ATC) for these delays. In May, Ryanair launched a website called ‘Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight’, along with a ‘League of Delays’ claiming to expose the worst ATCs across Europe for delays ‘due to mismanagement and staff shortages from January to May 2025’.

Eurocontrol, which speaks for the European network of air traffic controllers, admitted that in some parts of the network, the number of ATC officers is 10–20 per cent lower than would be needed to manage the demand.

The UK’s own ATC body, NATS (formerly known as National Air Traffic Services), said that it is “fully staffed and operating normally”.

Any other air traffic control delays are only exacerbated by other factors at play. Some parts of the airspace, through which major airlines fly, are closed off for military or geopolitical reasons.

Eurocontrol has said that the crisis in the Middle East has led to traffic becoming unevenly spread – after already losing 20 per cent of airspace following the war in Ukraine. Those complexities add to an already expanding ATC workload. Airport capacity is another issue.

And while delays are worsening, airlines are putting on record numbers of flights. Although Ryanair hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels of punctuality, it scheduled 162,411 flights in 2024, according to CAA data – 24,192 more than in 2019. Wizz Air put on 29,325 flights in 2024, up 3,534 from the 25,791 it flew in 2019.

A spokesperson for easyJet said: “easyJet always does all possible to get our customers to their destinations on time and minimise any delays despite flying in some of the most congested airspace in the world.”

A spokesperson for Tui said: “Punctuality is super important to us and has highest priority but there is one topic even more important: to operate each and every flight and to not cancel any flight. That’s what we do at TUI because we have holidaymakers onboard which we want to fly to their destination and also back.

“So, sometimes we have flights delayed by a couple of hours because we need to get a replacement aircraft ready. But for guests the good news is: their flight isn’t cancelled and they can still fly. Other airlines have or use the possibility to cancel flights which then would also not be part of the delay statistics anymore.

“And, one important point: within our overall fleet of 130 airplanes we have about 11 spare airplanes – the highest number we ever had and which helps us to keep a network alive without cancellations.

“So yes we want to be more punctual but we also keep our credo to never cancel, which is the even more important topic for our holiday guests.”

A spokesperson for Wizz Air said: “At Wizz Air, every minute matters, and that’s why we are committed to ensuring our customers reach their destinations as smoothly and as promptly as possible. Some delays are outside of our control, and we do whatever we can to avoid cancellations. Our completion rate (meaning completing the flights we schedule) was one of the best in the entire industry in 2024 at 99.4% – and that has increased to 99.9% for flights from the UK between January and April this year. While we know delays are frustrating and we always try our best to avoid them, we would rather delay than cancel a flight, as we know how important it is for our passengers to reach their destinations.

“Our on-time performance (flights arriving when they are scheduled to) continues to improve. From 2022 to 2024, our on-time performance for flights from the UK improved by more than 20%. We were also named the UK’s second-most punctual airline in Cirium’s 2024 On-Time Performance Review, achieving a 70.54% on-time arrival record. The percentage of delayed flights is also decreasing year-on-year. In particular, longer delays are a rare occurrence, with just 1% of flights from the UK in 2025* delayed for three hours or more.

“The facts speak for themselves, and this progress reflects the effort and investment we have made in improving our service, which is a daily focus for us. But we know there is more work to be done. Punctuality is a key priority of our Customer First Compass – a £12 billion framework to ensure we can deliver the best possible service for our customers. As part of this, we are enhancing the resilience of our operations to minimise cancellations, reduce delays and provide fast solutions in the event of a disruption.”

British Airways and Ryanair did not comment.

As Europe’s leading low-cost airline Ryanair plans to do away with printed boarding passes in the next few months, we’ve rounded up the boarding pass rules for other budget airlines

Ryanair plans to scrap paper boarding passes by November 2025, but what does this mean for other budget airlines?

While digital boarding passes are a popular option for passengers already, Ryanair – Europe’s largest budget airline – has become the first to completely do away with paper boarding passes as part of a move towards sustainability and a simpler boarding process.

However, with the upcoming change raising questions for many passengers around what kind of boarding passes they can travel with, The Mirror has put together a list of rules for some of the UK’s most popular low-cost carriers.

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Ryanair

At present, Ryanair accepts both printed boarding passes and those on a mobile phone. Passengers can download digital passes on its website or app, or print off paper passes at home on a single page of A4.

You can also get your boarding card printed at the desk for a fee of £55. However, this will change on November 3, after the airline announced that printed passes will no longer be accepted. Instead, passengers will have to download a digital boarding pass on the Ryanair app.

Ryanair has stated that the change is expected to save 300 tonnes of paper each year, while the airline’s CMO Dara Brady said the move would allow for a streamlined boarding experience.

In case of a customer’s phone battery dying or if a customer loses their phone, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said that staff will still be able to allow them onto a flight. However, in this event they should make sure to check in online no later than two hours before getting to the airport.

It is also important to note that there are some exceptions to the digital-only rule. Passengers flying out of airports in Morocco or Turkey (with the exception of Dalaman) will continue to require a printed pass.

Meanwhile, Tirana airport in Albania will also require paper boarding cards after November 3 – but this is set to change in March 2026.

easyJet

EasyJet accepts both digital and physical boarding passes and has not announced any plans to ban printed passengers. Passengers can arrive at the airport with their boarding cards already printed or have these printed at the check-in desk at no extra cost.

If opting for a digital boarding pass, note that these should be downloaded from the mobile app. You cannot use a PDF scan of your boarding pass on your mobile device as these won’t scan properly.

While the majority of easyJet airports accept mobile boarding passes, there are a number of exceptions which require printed boarding passes.

Jet2

Jet2 is another budget carrier that allows both mobile and printed boarding passes. Passengers are able to check in on the Jet2 app to download their boarding pass up to six hours before departure time.

If you miss this window, you will have to check in at the desk, a service Jet2 offers free of charge. It’s important to note that Jet2 also flies out of locations in Turkey and Morocco which require physical boarding passes.

Wizz Air

The low cost airline will generally accept printed and mobile boarding passes. However, it also flies from some airports that require printed documents. If you’re unsure, their website has a tool to help check which airports will require a physical boarding card.

If you are unable to print your boarding pass yourself, Wizz Air can do it for you at the check-in desk for a fee of €40 (around £35). Otherwise, you can pre-book the printing service online for €13 (around £11).

However, the two exceptions are if you are travelling Agadir in Morocco or Zaragoza in Spain. Online check-in is not available for these airports, so they offer full desk check-in which includes printing boarding passes for free.

Passengers travelling from Spain to Italy were screaming in fear as their Wizz Air flight was hit with severe turbulence and was forced to make an emergency landing

Passengers on a flight returning from Spain were left screaming in fear as their plane was thrown around in terrifying turbulence, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing.

The Wizz Air flight was travelling from Alicante, Spain, to Fiumicino Airport, Rome, this week when it encountered severe turbulence. In a shocking video posted to social media, petrified passengers could be heard shrieking on the Airbus A321 as it battled the bumpy conditions.

The seatbelt signs were on while the majority of the cabin lights were turned off, only adding to the fearful moment for travellers on board. In the video shared on TikTok, the user added the caption, “Attimi di terrore sul volo”, translating to “Moments of terror on the flight.”

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Passengers in the video can be heard shouting, “Oh God”, and “No, no, no!” while others remained quiet with heavy breaths. Outside through the windows, the plane’s red lights can be seen amid the grey and dark sky.

Italy has faced extreme weather this summer, and Rome was given a severe thunderstorm warning. The bad weather is what impacted the Wizz Air flight, which attempted to land at Fiumicino, the country’s busiest airport.

After several attempts, the pilot aborted the plan and was redirected to Bologna, over 250 miles away, to make a safe landing. The flight from Alicante to Rome typically takes under two hours, but due to delays and severe turbulence, it landed in Bologna at 3:53am – almost three hours after it was due to arrive in Rome.

Wizz Air said: “Wizz Air flight W4 6038 from Alicante to Rome Fiumicino on August 20 was diverted to Bologna Airport after it was unable to land safely due to adverse weather conditions at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

“The aircraft landed safely and without incident in Bologna at 3:57 a.m. local time. Passengers were provided with ground transportation from Bologna to Rome.”

The airline added that passengers who “had independently arranged ground transportation” would be entitled to a refund. Wizz Air also said: “Weather conditions are beyond the airline’s control, and safety remains Wizz Air’s top priority.”

They also added that aborting a landing is a “standard procedure in the event that conditions are not ideal for a safe landing”. The airline thanked the pilots and cabin crew for “ensuring everyone’s safety during the turbulence and for making the right decision to divert the flight to Bologna.”

AXA Health physiotherapist Bethany Tomlinson has warned plane plassengers to stop adopting a common sitting position when aboard flights due to the health risks

A physiotherapist has warned against adopting a common sitting position when settling in for a flight.

When confronted with the unforgiving, padding-light seats on offer on budget airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air, getting comfy is no mean feat. Particularly when dealing with a seat in front that looms just centimetres away from your knees.

According to AXA Health physiotherapist Bethany Tomlinson, crossing your legs is not the way to go. While it may feel like a polite way to avoid a spot of man-spreading that embraces some of the European sophistication of the destination you may be heading to, Bethany warns that it can lead to joint issues.

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“Avoid crossing your legs in your plane seat as this will impact blood flow and increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT),” she told Mail Online.

DVT is the formation of a thrombus in a deep vein, which partially or completely obstructs blood flow in that vessel. Travel-related DVT can occur as a result of prolonged immobility during long-distance travel. This results from a combination of factors, including prolonged cramped sitting and seat-edge pressure.

The annual incidence of DVT is estimated to be about 1 in 1000. However, the risk of developing DVT is increased two to fourfold after long-haul flights of more than four hours, according to NICE. Most clots are small and do not cause symptoms.

For healthy people, the risk is estimated to be one event in 4,656 to 6,000 flights over four hours in length.

One of the best ways to lower your risk of DVT is to keep your legs elevated and choose different relaxing positions. Bethany suggests keeping your legs slightly elevated using the footrest on the seat in front of you.

This can help lower the risk of DVT, while also decreasing the chance that you’ll arrive on holiday with stiff knees – something that blights the lives of one in three Brits.

The pros at Netflights have also shared their top tips for making that long-haul journey a tad more bearable. One of their key recommendations is to rise from your seat and take a stroll every one to three hours. Make a deliberate effort to move about frequently during your flight.

Even something as simple as walking to the loo or standing up for a stretch can help keep you feeling sprightly and prevent stiffness, which is particularly vital on flights exceeding four hours. Stretching is another crucial aspect, and you can do this right from your seat. Gently roll your neck from side to side, rotate your shoulders forwards and backwards, and carefully twist your spine.

Travellers could face issues and delays on their trips after further strike action was announced which will take place on set days and times

Holidaymakers going to Spain are facing a fresh blow as new strikes have been announced affecting major airports and airlines across parts of the country. The UGT union previously stated there will be a series of strikes affecting Ryanair’s baggage handling department.

These are set to start on August 15. However there is now increased potential for delays and flight cancellations after 1,500 workers with a second firm, Menzies, said it would hold its own industrial action, which will also start in August.

Menzies services a number of major airlines including British Airways, easyJet, Wizz Air, American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Norwegian. The UGT union said the strike by ground staff of the Menzies group will affect five Spanish airports, including Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante, Palma, Malaga and Tenerife South, on August 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31.

In a statement the union explained it is objecting to what it says are “serious and repeated breaches of labour agreements and the conditions established by agreement” by Menzies. Amongst these “violations”, UGT highlights “salary breaches, violation of subrogation rights, disorganisation in working hours and schedules.”

The union also claims there have been “constant errors in the management of personnel and payroll”, reports the Express. It also argues that there is a shortage of staff to handle the workload and an “arbitrary imposition of holidays.”

It claims Menzies is in breach of the sectoral handling agreement, the company’s own agreement, and the sectoral agreement ratified by the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA) in December 2024, which led to the cancellation of a previous strike. The union has already called for multiple strikes in Ryanair’s handling department.

These are set for the peak holiday season when Spain is brimming with tourists. This strike, which involves more than 3,000 workers who load and unload luggage, will be held this week – on Friday, August 15, Saturday, August 16, and Sunday, August 17 and then every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The Ryanair strikes could continue until next January unless an agreement can be reached. However legally, the workers must provide a “minimum service” which is yet to be determined, but the action will still significantly affect travellers.

The union says those protests are “against the sanctions imposed on workers and the abuse of hours.” Ryanair’s bases are situated in Valencia, Alicite, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Ibiza, Palma, Girona, Tenerife South, Lanzarote and Santiago.

The strike at Azul Handling (Ryanair’s handling subsidiary) is set for August 15, 16 and 17 and will continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until at least December 31, as confirmed by the UGT in a statement. The actions could potentially extend into January.

The strike will take place between 5am and 9am, noon and 3pm and 9pm to 11.59pm. The FeSMC-UGT airline sector is requesting mediation before the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA).

The union has said the reasons for the strike call. It says these are:

• Lack of stable job creation and consolidation of working hours for permanent part-time staff
• Imposition and coercion in the performance of complementary hours, both ordinary and voluntary, apply in some cases, with disproportionate sanctions
• Repeated failure to comply with the opinions of the Joint Committee of the Sectoral Agreement on guarantees and bonuses
• Illegal restrictions on reinstatement after medical discharge and on the adaptation of working hours to exercise the right to family conciliation

It says: “UGT regrets having to go to these extremes and all the damages that may occur, for which the direct responsibility will be solely and exclusively the company and its reckless action with the workforce.”

Jose Manuel Perez Grande, Federal Secretary of the FeSMC-UGT Air Union, has accused Azul Handling of maintaining “a strategy of precariousness and pressure on the workforce that violates basic labour rights and systematically ignores union demands.”

The FeSMC-UGT Air Sector is calling for the company to withdraw the sanctions, stick to the recommendations of the Joint Commission, and start a real negotiation process aimed at enhancing the working conditions for over 3,000 employees across the country.

Blessed with a Mediterranean climate and summer temperatures soaring up to 30°C, it’s a paradise for sun worshippers. Jetting off to Albania won’t break the bank either.

Wizz Air has launched a new route, linking up the UK with a cheap and sunny European destination.

Albania has been dubbed “the Maldives of Europe” thanks to its unspoilt white sandy shores and crystal-clear waters that grace its spectacular Riviera. Whilst it’s not exactly a hidden gem – with growing numbers of holidaymakers discovering the region – it still offers remarkable value compared to other European hotspots. Travellers can indulge in luxury accommodation without emptying their bank accounts, with seafront flats available from just £20 per night.

Food is equally kind to the purse strings, with a hearty meal and drinks typically setting you back around £15. Thanks to a flurry of TikTok videos flaunting its crystal-clear waters and pristine white sands, Albania has become a hot topic for holidaymakers seeking a slice of the Maldives experience.

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Blessed with a Mediterranean climate and summer temperatures soaring up to 30°C, it’s a paradise for sun worshippers. Jetting off to Albania won’t break the bank either.

Wizz Air’s new route connects London Gatwick with Tirana, the capital of Albania. The cheapest tickets cost just £19.99, with five weekly flights running from October 26. If you’re not close to Gatwick, then Ryanair also offers flights to Tirana from Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh and London Stansted. The new fare has been launched after a family admitted that they arrived at the airport a year early for their flight.

Albania boasts the lowest living costs in Europe, with city-centre hotel rooms in Tirana going for less than £30, breakfast included. Beachside flats along the Adriatic coast are even more affordable.

Another wallet-friendly route to Albania’s glittering coastline is to fly into Corfu and then hop on a ferry for roughly £15 each way. If you set up camp in Dhërmi, you can explore a new beach every day. A delightful beachfront lunch in the area will only cost about £10 per person.

Laura Hewson, a Kiwi backpacker who explored the country last autumn, said: “We were planning to go Croatia. But one of our friends who’d been to Albania told us [we should go there]. They said it’s like Greece or Croatia but cheaper and a lot more beautiful because there are not as many tourists. We’re actually staying at a four-star hotel with breakfast included for the same price that we were staying in hostels with eight [strangers] in a room in Italy and Spain.”

Her travel companion, Farrell Modd, mentioned that social media influenced their decision to visit Albania, noting the impact of TikTok videos from travel accounts that highlighted the country’s stunning landscapes. She commented: “It’s beautiful, clear blue water, lots of swimming spots.”

While most airlines allow passengers to carry a small personal item or bag free of charge, some of the UK’s most popular airlines charge an additional fee for cabin bags

Airline staff have become adept at spotting luggage that exceeds the standard weight and size limitations. One personal bag or ‘small’ cabin bag – typically a purse or a backpack – is allowed on every one of the UK’s most popular airlines – no matter what type of fare you purchase or where you are travelling.

However, this ‘small’ cabin bag must typically be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. Passengers requiring additional space will need to separately purchase a cabin bag which can be stored in the overhead compartment. easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and Jet2 all charge extra for overhead storage cabin bags.

READ MORE: Genius packing hack praised as traveller avoids paying £43 for extra luggage

Below you can find the maximum weight and dimensions of both personal baggage and cabin baggage for each airline – as well as how much you will be charged.

easyJet

Every easyJet passenger is entitled to carry a maximum of two cabin bags: one small cabin bag (free of charge) and one large cabin bag (if included in membership and fare benefits or added during booking).

easyJet small cabin bags must be a maximum of 15kg and within the dimension 45 x 36 x 20cm. A small cabin bag or personal item is free with any fare for easyJet passengers.

easyJet large cabin bags must be a maximum of 15kg within the dimensions 56 x 45 x 25cm. A cabin bag is free for easyJet Plus members or FLEXI ticket holder, or available for purchase

Prices start from £5.99 to book a large cabin bag. Alternatively, you can choose to bring a hold bag, with prices starting from £6.99 for a 15kg bag.

Ryanair

Every Ryanair passenger is entitled to carry one small personal bag free of charge. The small personal bag must be between 40 x 20 x 25cm. Regular cabin bags can be purchased separately but must be within 55 x 40 x 20cm in size and weigh no more than 10kg.

Prices start from £6 to book a large cabin bag and can reach as high as £60 depending on your travel route, whether you add the cabin bag during or after the time of booking, and your travel dates.

Vueling Airlines

All Vueling passengers are entitled to one personal bag that can be stored in the seat in front of them between the dimensions 40x30x20 cm. However, there is an additional cost for basic fare passengers to add a cabin bag.

The cabin bag must be between the dimensions 55x40x20 cm and under 10kg in weight. The cost to add a cabin bag can range from 10 Euro to 75 Euro depending on whether you book it early or add it on later, as well as your travel destination.

Wizz Air

All Wizz Air passengers are entitled to one personal item free of charge. However only Wizz Priority passengers are entitled to bring an extra trolley bag of maximum size 55 x 40 x 23 cm into the cabin.

The cost of adding a cabin bag depends on whether it is high seasons or low season, as well as where you are travelling. Prices range from €15 during low season for a bag with a 10 kg weight maximum to €189.50 during high season for a bag with a 26kg maximum.

Two airlines that allow cabin bags free of charge

British Airways and TUI Airways both allow passengers of all fare classes to travel with one piece of hand luggage free of charge.

1) British Airways

British Airways specifies that passengers can bring one standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item on board with even their lowest fare – Economy Basic. The standard hand luggage, including wheels and handles, can be up to 56 x 45 x 25cm and must weigh no more than 23kg.

That said, it is important to note that if you have more than two pieces of hand baggage, or they’re over the permitted size, you may have to put your larger bags into the hold as checked baggage.

Additionally, when you’ve used your free checked baggage allowance, you’ll have to pay to put any extra bags into the hold. You can check your baggage allowance on the BA website using their handy baggage allowance calculator.

British Airways asks passengers to keep in mind that the carriage of excess baggage is subject to availability. In some destinations, additional local taxes may also apply. If your journey includes a flight with another airline, their allowances may be different.

2) TUI Airways

All TUI Airways passengers (excluding infants) are permitted to carry one piece of hand luggage free of charge. The luggage must be within the dimension 55 x 40 x 20cm and be a maximum weight of 10kg.

TUI passengers are also permitted to carry one personal item free of charge, but it must be stored under the seat in front of you and within the dimension 40 x 30 x 20cm.

Additionally, when you fly both ways with TUI Airways as part of a package holiday, your fare will include at least 20kg of checked-in luggage per person and 10kg for Under 2s.

Paying for a seat on a plane is an added expense that many travellers prefer to avoid, but one expert has shared how to travel in comfort without spending any money.

After paying for your flight and any checked luggage, many of us would prefer to not fork out even more for a seat. But waiting to be assigned a random seat can often mean you end up squished in between strangers, making for a rather uncomfortable journey, especially if you’ve got a long way to go.

While some airlines like British Airways will let you choose a seat if you pay for luggage, there’s plenty of packing tips and tricks out there which means many travellers stick to hand luggage. With recent reports that travellers who sit in an unassigned seat in the hopes it might be free could face a hefty fine for what’s being dubbed seat squatting, there’s one more secure way of grabbing a good seat.

Chelsea Dickenson is known for sharing budget travel advice on her blog Holiday Expert, and in a recent article for Metro, she revealed the easy way to get the best seat on the plane without having to spare a single penny.

However, she warned that this isn’t for those who get easy stressed when travelling, as it requires leaving things quite last minute.

Referring to her tactic as “check-in chicken”, Chelsea explained that the trick to getting the best seat on the plane is done by delaying online check-in until the last possible moment.

Chelsea said: “After years of flying on a budget, I’ve learned a thing or two about how they operate. And more often than not, my method lands me a seat with extra legroom without paying a penny”, reports the Express.

However, this strategy won’t be suitable for those travelling in groups, particularly families who wish to be seated together.

If you want to sit together but don’t want to fork out extra for seats, Money Saving Expert instead recommends groups of travellers check-in as soon as you’re able to.

In a post on their website, they explained all major airlines except Ryanair will attempt to seat groups on the same booking together, provided there are seats available next to each other that other passengers haven’t already reserved.

But if you are travelling alone, a game of check-in chicken could work in your favour, particularly if you end up at the front of the aircraft with extra leg room, or in a window seat.

However, Chelsea cautioned that travellers “need a cool head, a charged phone and very firm grasp on when online check-in closes” to do this successfully, and check-in times can differ depending on the airline.

The savvy traveller also pointed out that she primarily employs this tactic, which she refers to as one of her “favourite budget travel joys”, when flying with budget carriers such as Ryanair or Wizz Air, noting that airlines like easyJet and British Airways don’t typically allocate the less desirable seats initially.

Once check-in has opened, which is typically 24 hours before your flight departs, Chelsea said she keeps monitoring the seat map throughout the day, and proceeds with the check-in when she’s satisfied with the remaining seat options.

However, the secret to doing this is to not actually leave it to the very last minute, which could see you having to pay a fee at the airport, and likely more than you would have if you’d simply paid for a seat.

Chelsea clarified that: “I often find that by six hours to go there’s only ‘good’ seats left – ones with extra legroom, seats on the front rows or simply non-middle aisle seats,” and she recommended setting alarms to make sure you don’t forget.

Wizz Air has announced that it will suspend operations from its Abu Dhabi hub. The budget airline currently operates more than 30 routes from the Middle Eastern base.

Wizz Air has scrapped a number of routes as “hot and harsh” weather is damaging its planes.

On Monday, the Hungarian airline announced that it would discontinue its Abu Dhabi operations starting in August.

Ticket sales have been halted from the Middle Eastern capital to Varna from July 14, followed by Belgrade on July 19, Tirana on July 20, Kutaisi on July 29, and Sarajevo on August 31.

Six additional routes will be temporarily suspended, including Krakow (July 29–September 19), Budapest (paused until September 1), Vienna (paused until September 21), Katowice (paused until October 26), and both Astana and Samarkand (paused until November 1). Services to Sofia and Cluj have already been discontinued, Aviation Weekly reports.

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The publication also notes that Pratt & Whitney GTF engine issues have led to 20% of Wizz Air’s Airbus A320neo-family fleet being grounded over the past financial year.

The budget airline currently operates more than 30 routes from its Abu Dhabi base.

Last month, Wizz Air CEO József Váradi said the carrier was strategically reducing operations in “hot and harsh” environments. He explained that capacity would be reallocated to lower-risk areas to help reduce operating costs and prolong engine life.

“Hot and harsh is a significant issue which we are going to address,” the CEO said. “That will not only lower operating costs and extend engine lifetime, but it will also increase productivity on sectors.”

In a statement issued this morning, the airline said three main “operational challenges over the past year” led to the decision to “suspend all locally based flight operations effective 1 September 2025”. They are:

• Engine reliability constraints, particularly in hot and harsh environments, which have impacted aircraft availability and operational efficiency.

• Geopolitical volatility, which has led to repeated airspace closures and operational disruptions across the region, as well as weakened consumer demand.

• Regulatory barriers, which have limited the company’s ability to access and scale in key markets.

Mr. Váradi added: “We have had a tremendous journey in the Middle East and are proud of what we have built. I thank our highly dedicated employees for their relentless efforts and commitment to developing the WIZZ brand in new and dynamic markets. However, the operating environment has changed significantly.

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“Supply chain constraints, geopolitical instability, and limited market access have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our original ambitions. While this was a difficult decision, it is the right one given the circumstances. We continue to focus on our core markets and on initiatives that enhance Wizz Air’s customer proposition and build shareholder value.”

Passengers with existing bookings beyond 31 August will be contacted directly via email with options for refunds or alternative travel arrangements. Customers who booked through third-party providers are advised to contact their respective agents. The suspensions do not affect other flights of the Wizz Air group.

The announcements come as Wizz extends its operations in other markets, including by adding several new routes from its UK base at Luton Airport.

From last month, Wizz Air started whisking passengers away four times weekly from Gatwick to the quaint Polish city of Wroclaw. Come the start of August, Londoners will also have the chance to jet off from the same bustling hub to the Polish capital, Warsaw, and even Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Birmingham hasn’t been left behind; the heart of the West Midlands gained thrice-weekly connections to Rome as of June, with future plans to link up with Sibiu and Suceava in Romania.

Last week Mirror Travel sat down with Yvonne Moynihan, the new managing director of the UK wing of the airline.

In a wide-ranging interview, she wanted the bag fees to be set for a hike due to upcoming European Union legislation. Ms Moynihan also admitted that she had recently been stung by the airline’s hand-luggage rules, forking out for a £60 fine as a result.

Andras Rado, head of communications at Wizz Air, has opened up about the quiet checks boarding agents carry out when they spot a passenger who might’ve spent a little too long at the airport Spoons

Tipsy passengers are subject to a secret process to determine whether or not they should be allowed to fly.

Andras Rado, head of communications at Wizz Air, has opened up about the quiet checks boarding agents carry out when they spot a passenger who might’ve spent a little too long at the airport Spoons.

“We will be flying 75 million passengers this year, and so for sure we will have some issues. We have a procedure that is not known to passengers,” Andras told The Mirror.

“It is not a secret that we’re doing it—they just don’t know how we do it. The cabin crew screen passengers. They have certain criteria to watch, then they watch it. An example is how the passenger greets you back. Do they greet you back? There are signs that a person is already drunk.”

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If a passenger is judged to be too pickled, flight crews ask the captain whether they should be allowed to board. “The captain makes the final decision.”

When asked whether Wizz Air would support Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary’s calls to introduce a two-drink limit at airports, Andras said: “I don’t think you can control how many whiskies people drink at the airport. Onboard we can control. If we see they are intoxicated, we stop serving them.”

The PR man also noted that Wizz Air is less impacted by drunken, disorderly customers than some other airlines. “We don’t have any problems with passenger diversions. We don’t have the same issue. It’s a different demographic. If you look at our London Gatwick–Jeddah flights, I spoke to a crew member on Wednesday, and she said how respectful our passengers are.”

The Mirror also spoke with a former Wizz Air pilot about how the process of stopping drunk passengers from boarding typically unfolds.

“If they do not create trouble, sometimes it’s better to keep them drinking. Some passengers may become unruly if they want to drink. It doesn’t apply if they show up already drunk. It’s the captain’s call. I try to use common sense, but I never experienced any pressure from the company either way,” the pilot explained.

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Addiction specialist Martin Preston, from private rehab clinic Delamere, has explained why the effects of alcohol kick-in quicker and often stronger when drinking onboard a plane.

“The reason for this is not because the alcohol content is higher in drinks on the plane, but that alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream more quickly, as a result of cabin pressure and lower levels of oxygen in your blood,” he said.

This means that consumers may feel more intoxicated than they normally would be if they were drinking on land. From sleep disruption to fainting, Martin has revealed what happens to the body when you drink on a plane – and they can really dampen those holiday highs.

Wizz Air UK managing director Yvonne Moynihan has warned that passengers will be hit with higher luggage fees if new EU hand luggage legislation is implemented

Wizz Air has launched seven new routes, including to a little-known region filled with natural beauty.

As of last month, Wizz Air is flying four times a week from Gatwick to Wroclaw in Poland. It will be flying from the same London airport to Warsaw in Poland and Medina in Saudi Arabia from the beginning of August.

Over in the West Midlands, Birmingham is now linked up with Rome three times a week as of June, with new flights to Sibiu and Suceava in Romania later this year.

When it comes to the Suceava route, the budget carrier will operate flights three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with fares starting from £17.99.

Corporate communications manager at Wizz Air Olivia Harangozó said: “We are delighted to be adding Suceava to our route network from Birmingham. The city and surrounding region offer incredible natural beauty and historical significance, making it an ideal destination for travellers hoping to discover somewhere off the beaten track.”

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This week the recently appointed head of Wizz Air UK, Yvonne Moynihan, conceded that the airline would have to raise luggage fees in response to a potential new European Union regulation. In an interview with the Mirror, Moynihan outlined how Wizz Air UK might adapt to new hand luggage rules.

While the regulation is still pending, it could force budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air to abandon steep additional fees for secondary cabin bags.

The decisive element for budget airline passengers lies in the EU’s Transport and Tourism Committee’s stipulation: “Passengers should have a right to carry on board one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop (maximum dimensions of 40x30x15 cm), and one small hand luggage (maximum dimensions of 100 cm and 7 kg) without an additional fee.”

In practical terms, it means that budget airlines could no longer demand high fees for a supplementary cabin bag. Despite the UK’s exit from the EU, the new directives would still influence UK travellers as EU-headquartered airlines, such as Wizz Air, fall within their scope

Airline executives have spoken out against the proposal, fearing it will lead to pricier tickets or additional baggage fees in order to compensate for lost revenue.

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“We highly object, along with the other airlines. It essentially erodes consumer choice,” voiced Ms Moynihan regarding the decision. The head of the fledgeling budget carrier drew parallels to Ourania Georgoutsakou’s critique, the managing director of Airlines For Europe, who said that the policy is akin to “going to the cinema and being forced to have Coke and popcorn with your ticket.”

Ms Moynihan anticipates the EU legislation will be diluted before passing into law but warned that carriers like Wizz Air may ultimately raise their luggage charges to makeup for decreased profits. At present, ancillary services such as seat selection and baggage fees contribute nearly half of Wizz Air’s revenues.

The new ‘My Journey’ feature has been designed to help passengers easily manage their flights and track all updates on their mobile devices

Wizz Air has launched a new in-flight app feature which it hopes will transform the passenger in-flight experience.

The Hungarian budget airline has just unveiled “My Journey,” an addition to the Wizz Air mobile app that offers passengers flight management at their fingertips.

Alongside the usual channels of communication customers may have with their airline—such as phone calls, SMS, and emails—they can now do it all through the app.

That includes getting instant updates on flight status, including check-in, boarding time, and gate number, and finding out whether you’re eligible for a meal voucher or hotel stay if your flight is delayed or cancelled.

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If you are, then you’ll be able to claim any entitled benefits in the app during your journey, including meals, accommodation, and even compensation.

Customers in this tricky situation can also review and select alternative travel arrangements like rebooking, refunds, or accepting a new flight proposed by Wizz Air.

This could prove to be a major boon for passengers, given how difficult it can be to work out what to do if a flight is cancelled or delayed.

Wizz Air boasts of being one of the most reliable and punctual airlines operating in the UK. According to Cirium data, it is the country’s second-most punctual airline. It was one of the airlines least impacted by last week’s French air traffic controller strike. This is in contrast to budget airline Ryanair, which said it had been forced to cancel more than 170 flights, with the holiday plans of more than 30,000 passengers disrupted.

However, Wizz Air is likely to be impacted to some extent before the summer is out. This season, air traffic is expected to be 5% higher than last year. Air traffic controller strikes and the impact of wildfires currently breaking out across the hotter parts of Europe could well lead to flight delays and cancellations this month and next.

“It’s not just about flying, it’s about feeling in control during those frustrating moments,” said Boglarka Spak, Wizz Air’s Head of Customer Experience.

“My Journey is the ultimate solution for our passengers—enabling them to own their travel experience, whatever happens. With ‘My Journey,’ we’re empowering our customers with real-time tools to manage their trip on their own terms. This is another step towards our commitments made in our Customer First Compass initiative. We believe launching this feature during the peak summer period, when more flights are impacted by weather and air traffic control-related disruptions, will help our customers navigate more easily and save time and energy during their trips.”

The Wizz Air app has had 35 million downloads across Apple, Google, and Huawei platforms so far. “My Journey” will be rolled out as an update to the app in stages from 9 July.