Wizz Air introduces Airbus A321XLR: Longest routes among European low-cost carriers

In Europe, besides Ryanair and easyJet, Vueling and Pegasus Airlines are prominent players with scheduled departures of 47.5 million and 42.7 million seats respectively in 2025. Wizz Air operates through multiple entities like Wizz Air UK and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi which collectively account for 77.7 million seats in that year.

Wizz Air's adoption of the A321XLR enables it to explore longer routes previously unfeasible with its A321neos. The airline has not opted for the A321LR variant but plans services from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport to Milan Malpensa Airport starting June 26 as per Cirium data—marking it as Europe's longest route by a low-cost carrier at a distance of 4,719 km.

The second-longest route connects London Gatwick Airport to Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport using an A321neo instead of an XLR due to passenger capacity limitations affecting range capability over a distance of 4,717 km.

Additionally planned is a route between London-Gatwick and Medina Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport beginning August 1 using an A321XLR according to Cirium data.

EasyJet follows closely behind Wizz Air’s extended reach within Europe’s budget airline sector operating several long-haul flights such as Belfast International Airport to Hurghada International Airport covering approximately 4,445 km twice weekly year-round utilizing an A320neo model known for its advertised range capability up till 6 ,300km .

Another noteworthy easyJet itinerary includes Manchester Airport connecting Sal Island Amílcar Cabral International starting October post-summer season spanning six-hour ten-minute journey time .

Ryanair operates one notable lengthy flight via Buzz subsidiary linking Warsaw Modlin Airport directly towards Tenerife South spanning around 4 ,093km over five-and-a-half-hour duration primarily serviced by Boeing models like B737-800/MAX8 series . Most other similar-distance Ryanair flights head towards Canary Islands including Kraków-Tenerife-South or Gran Canaria itineraries .

Pegasus Airlines' longest flight runs between Antalya-Almaty covering less than typical distances seen elsewhere yet clocking six-hour ten-minute durations regularly serviced under same aircraft category mentioned earlier .

Vueling meanwhile lacks extensive long-range coverage compared peers though still manages few select paths exceeding 3 ,500km limit notably Barcelona-Sal Island/Banjul connections both featuring unique geographical characteristics alongside scheduled seasonal availability depending upon operational demands .

###