Wizz Air has announced the arrival of its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft at London Gatwick Airport.
To mark this milestone, Wizz Air will launch a daily direct flight from London Gatwick to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, starting March 31, 2025. Tickets are available from GBP134.99, including taxes and mandatory charges, with additional fees applicable for baggage.
Wizz Air, as the first ultra low-cost carrier to operate the Airbus A321XLR, plans to transform intercontinental travel by offering affordable, direct flights to distant destinations. The aircraft’s extended range and efficiency will support Wizz Air’s network expansion, with the new London Gatwick-Jeddah route being the first of many long-haul connections. In addition, a second A321XLR will be based in Milan, offering daily flights to Abu Dhabi beginning June 2, 2025.
Jozsef Varadi, Wizz Air’s chief executive officer, said: ‘The Airbus A321XLR is the most cost-efficient aircraft in its class. Its enhanced range capability allows Wizz Air to connect the farthest destinations in its network, while also providing opportunities for further expansion, connecting more cultures, economies and continents. We are excited to offer unbeatable fares to our customers on the new route from London Gatwick to Jeddah.’
‘Since establishing our base at London Gatwick in 2020, we have demonstrated ambitious growth, making it a natural, strategic decision to operate our first Airbus A321XLR from this airport,’ Varadi added.
‘We’re delighted that Wizz Air has decided to operate its first A321XLR based in the UK from London Gatwick’, said Stewart Wingate, CEO of London Gatwick. ‘Wizz Air has grown consistently since opening its base here in 2020. This new type of aircraft will allow us to provide a wider range of routes and increase our capacity, offering our passengers even more travel opportunities. The development will play an important role in the further growth in our intercontinental network, as we look to offer more choice for passengers and work towards our vision to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey.’
Wizz Air currently operates five Airbus A321neo aircraft from London Gatwick, serving 26 destinations across 17 countries and employing 259 staff. This expansion is part of the airline’s ambitious plan to grow its fleet to 500 planes by 2030.
