NEWS FLASH
Low cost carrier Wizz Air, which boasts three bases across the former Yugoslavia, has announced a new baggage policy from November 1. Every passenger will be entitled to bring one free small carry-on bag (40x30x20 cm) on board, however, those wanting to bring a trolley bag (55x40x23 cm) weighing ten kilograms into the cabin will now be charged unless they are a Wizz Priority member, which wasn't the case before. "Based on customer feedback and the changing travel patterns, Wizz Air has introduced a 10kg checked in bag to facilitate comfortable travel experience with prices starting from as low as seven euros", the company said. It added, "Historic figures show that more than 10.000 flights per year are affected by baggage-related delays. Figures also show that in the past five years the average length of stay at a destination has been continuously declining and by now every third Wizz Air traveller books trips for three days or less. As a consequence of shorter trips, Wizz passengers pack light and smart. Every third passenger purchased a checked in bag while only every seventh passenger opted for the Trolley bag, which could be brought on board". Bookings without Wizz Priority made before October 10 for travel after November 1 will be upgraded with a free 10kg checked in bag, while bookings with a checked in baggage will be upgraded with Wizz Priority.
Asked weather the new policy could have an impact on passenger numbers from markets within the former Yugoslavia, Wizz Air's Chief Marketing Officer, Johan Eidhagen, told EX-YU Aviation News, "We still believe we will carry the same number of passengers we have planned. There is no change in our plans. What will happen is that some passengers will choose to purchase a priority or checked-in bag because they might need a larger bag, but at the same time we also believe this will drive lower pricing as it allows us to give a lower ticket fare".
Asked weather the new policy could have an impact on passenger numbers from markets within the former Yugoslavia, Wizz Air's Chief Marketing Officer, Johan Eidhagen, told EX-YU Aviation News, "We still believe we will carry the same number of passengers we have planned. There is no change in our plans. What will happen is that some passengers will choose to purchase a priority or checked-in bag because they might need a larger bag, but at the same time we also believe this will drive lower pricing as it allows us to give a lower ticket fare".
The race to the bottom continues...
ReplyDeleteIt's already at the bottom. How deeper could they go?
DeleteWonderful, this has to be their 145th luggage policy change.
ReplyDeleteIn other words, they are going back to charging for trolley bags as was the case last year. The only difference is that they put a marketing spin on it. I think Wizz Priority is either 1.000 or 1.200 Dinars.
They copied Ryanair.
ReplyDeleteBut it´s true that this policy significantly reduces the delays. It takes a shorter time to take the bags from the plane to the airport than having the plane cramped like sheep and people taking ages to move.
It is definitely a race to the bottom... go check out United's "basic economy" restrictions.
ReplyDeleteThis shows how influential Ryanair is in the aviation market. Personally, I prefer the original way Wizz implemented this, as in charging for large cabin baggage. The simplest way would be "small" cabbin baggage is free, "large" requires a fee. Bundling it with priority only confuses things IMO, but apparently Ryanair calls all the shots. I assume the reason is to limit the number of large bags permitted on board since the number of priory seats is by definition limited. In any case, anything is better than leaving the "large" bags in front of the airplane door.
ReplyDeleteHere we go again. It was also too good to be true when it got free, as you from day one could voulenteerly drop of your free hand luggage at check in and fill it with liquids etc. that you otherwise couldn't have carried if going with you. But the question now is, by being Priority or buying the extra 10 kg, do you then get 2x 10 kg or is it still only 10 kg total spread on 2 bags? And the current small bag is much smaller then the previous one, as the previous was ok size to take a smaller sports bag along, while this one is just the size of a shoulder retro bag...
ReplyDeleteMotto is to complicate the policy more, sound as a cheap fare and at the end get more money from the customer than regular airlines. I ended flying cheaper with JP and OU for several of my flights this year than the so called low costers just by using some common sense while calculating my total costs
ReplyDeleteWizz air Airbus320 aircraft has very thirsty engines, less passenger luggage means more fuel and longer distance to fly with.
ReplyDeleteI don't get it. I have sevelar bookings made before October 10th for travel after 1st Nov and I didn't get the free 10kg checked bag.h
ReplyDelete*several
DeleteThe day of the first ULCC in Europe is yet to come. Let's bring the possibility to fly any potential passenger on earth and lower the flight experience to the level like driving by a bus from a gate to the parking stand. How genious is that!
DeleteAirline that frequently changes policies about their onboard product has lost it's direction and it's management is clueless: comment from Wizz supporters when Air Serbia introduced new seating and buy on board product. Well well ... now it's your turn Wizzair. Your management is absolutely clueless and has no idea how to offer stable, competitive product. We are talking about your cabin baggage policy flip flops, in case you try to get smart and shift to other topics like fleet age or profit.
ReplyDelete