Wizz Air hit with massive fine in a European country over its “All You Can Fly” subscription

Italy’s competition authority (AGCM) has imposed a fine of EUR 500,000 – roughly HUF 192 million – on Wizz Air, stating that the airline engaged in unfair commercial practices while promoting its “All You Can Fly” subscription. According to the authority, the product was advertised as offering unlimited flights, even though several important restrictions were not clearly or promptly communicated to consumers.

Unlimited, yet not quite: Key details were withheld

The subscription allowed customers to use Wizz Air’s international routes for a fixed fee of EUR 599 – or EUR 499 during the early promotional period. However, the investigation found that the package was subject to numerous conditions, about which consumers received incomplete, ambiguous or outdated information.

According to the authority, the following issues were among the most problematic:

• passengers were not properly informed about the booking time window (for example, that seat selection on certain flights was only possible within 72 hours of departure),
• only a limited number and type of seats were available to subscribers on specific routes,
• other essential terms of use were not communicated clearly.

The AGCM also ruled that several clauses in the General Terms and Conditions were unfair, as Wizz Air could unilaterally modify or even discontinue the service without justification, while passengers’ cancellation or refund rights were significantly restricted, MarketScreener reported.

As part of the sanction, the airline must publish an extract of the authority’s decision on its own website.