COVID-19 may be decimating the airline industry but, Abu Dhabi will be home to not one but two new airlines in 2020. However, one of those two has now delayed their launch for a second time. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has pushed back the start of operations to mid-November. The first flight will now take place on 15th November.
What is Wizz Air Abu Dhabi?
Wizz Air is an ultra low-cost airline offering very low fares. One way fares from Abu Dhabi start at AED 129. Of course, everything else such as baggage, seat selection and onboard food is paid for separately.
The airline is a joint-venture between ADQ, the state holding company of the government of Abu Dhabi and Wizz Air Holdings Plc. Wizz Air is one of Europe’s largest ultra low-cost airlines serving 150 destinations.
To support the launch of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi the airline has created an Arabic website.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi launch destinations
Six launch destinations have already been announced. The first flight will operate to Kutaisi on 15 November.
- Athens 3 x per week from 16 November
- Alexandria (Borg el Arab) 3 x per week from 16 November
- Kutaisi 2 x per week from 15 November
- Larnaca 2 x per week from 17 November
- Odessa 2 x per week from 17 November
- Yerevan 2 x per week from 17 November
Wizz Air mainline will connect Abu Dhabi to a further five destination from November.
- Bucharest 3 x per week from 16 November
- Budapest 2 x per week from 17 November
- Cluj 2 x per week from 17 November
- Katowice 2 x per week from 17 November
- Sofia 2 x per week from 17 November
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will initially base two brand new Airbus A321neo aircraft at Abu Dhabi. Four more aircraft will be added over the first six months after launch. The extra aircraft be used to serve additional destinations in Central, Eastern and Western Europe.
The airline expects to eventually base 50 aircraft in Abu Dhabi to serve destinations throughout the Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
With such big ambitions Wizz Air is recruiting cabin crew to staff flights from the new Abu Dhabi hub.
Privilege Pass
Like most low-cost airlines Wizz Air Abu Dhabi does not have a typical frequent flyer programme offering status benefits or miles earning. However, it does sell an annual Privilege Pass which allows flyers to buy status like benefits.
The Privilege Pass comes with four benefits:
- Free seat selection. This includes extra legroom and first row seats
- Priority boarding
- Free carryon bag
- Free trolley bag
The Privilege Pass benefits are only for the named member. Priority check-in and fast track security and not included benefits. However, these can be bought separately when flying from an airport in which they are available.
A yearly membership of the Privilege Pass can be purchased for EUR €199.
Discount Club
Wizz Air also offers a Wizz Discount Club membership. The benefits are €10 discount off ticket purchases and €5 discount on checked baggage.
Standard membership for one traveller and once companion costs €29.99 per year. Group membership for one traveller and up to five companions costs €69.99 per year.
A family of four flying four times a year would save around €500 by joining the Wizz Discount Club.
Conclusion
It is great to see Abu Dhabi getting a new airline but I’m most excited about the flights to new destinations. The ability to travel will return eventually and when it does there’s going to be a long list of interesting places to see.
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