Flight check: Wizz Air

Published: 01/09/2006 - Filed under: Archive » 2006 » September 2006 » Tried and Tested » Tried & Tested » Airlines » Tried & Tested » Airlines » Wizz Air » Import errors »

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS I arrived at 1630 for my 1805 flight from Ljubljana to Luton, having taken a 40-minute bus transfer from the Slovenian capital's city centre.

Wizz Air flies three times weekly from Ljubljana to Luton on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. It returns on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The flights from Ljubljana depart at 1805 and 1800, arriving in Luton at 1920 and 1915. The Luton flights are at 1430 and 1435arriving at 1730 and 1735.

At the check-in desk there was no queue. However there was clearly aproblem as the assistant called over a supervisor without initially telling me what was wrong. After a moment or two, I was I told I was"not on the list", and was advised to go to the Wizz Air ticket desk.At this desk, an assistant rudely demanded my passport. She spent a minute or two silently looking at her screen. Then she told me I was not listed on the flight, even though I had an e-ticket confirmation that clearly showed I was. After making a phone call, she then announced "you are okay". I went back to the check-in desk, where another assistant told me that the first assistant had checked the wrong flight by mistake, which meant that my e-ticket was not recognised.

I went through security, which was thorough – and slow. Belts and watches were removed and laptops were taken from bags. The departures lounge is tiny for an international airport, with a small café and two duty-free shops. Wifi is available with a strong signal, with a standard-level payment necessary. However, there are no sit-down tables, which make internet use difficult if you want to spread out or take notes.

BOARDING We were called to the gate at 1735, but there was a delay and we were held in a queue, with no reason given for the hold-up. We walked to the plane and boarding, once it started, was swift. There were 96 people on this A320, which had 180 seats. We took off 25 minutes late at 1830.

THE SEAT Seat pitch is 74cm and the seats recline, making laptop use difficult. Luckily, I had a row of three seats to myself and could spread out.

THE FLIGHT I ordered a chicken sandwich and a sparkling mineral water, and the flight attendant appeared shocked when I produced a £20 note. I suggested paying by card, but my debit Visa card could not be accepted "because it is not a credit card". So she took my £20 note after all,and gave me change (sterling is accepted on Wizz Air flights to the UK).

ARRIVAL We arrived on time at 1920. Immigration was quick and baggage came through within minutes. However, some passengers were upset that bags were wet as they had been caught in a shower and not adequately covered.

VERDICT Wizz Air competes with Easyjet on this increasingly popular route. The flight was on time, but the overall impression was of disorganisation with poor check-in service.

PRICE Wizz Air (wizzair.com) offers return fares from £54.

Tom Chesshyre