Wizz Air Tops List for Flight Delays Again

By Ivan PetrenkoJun 17, 2024 03:30 AMNews
Share:
A pink and blue Wizz Air jet airliner in the sky
A pink and blue Wizz Air jet airliner in the sky. Source: Photo by Artur Voznenko on Unsplash

Wizz Air has been named the worst airline for UK flight delays for the third year running. The carrier's departures from UK airports averaged 31 minutes and 36 seconds behind schedule in 2023, according to an analysis of official data by the PA news agency. Turkish Airlines and Tui followed closely, with average delays of 28 minutes and 36 seconds and 28 minutes and 24 seconds, respectively.

This poor performance occurs amid rising airfares, driven by higher fuel costs and green taxes. Despite this, Wizz Air claimed it had made "significant improvements" but acknowledged there was "still work to be done." The analysis, covering scheduled and chartered departures from UK airports by airlines operating more than 2,500 flights, excluded canceled flights.

Following Wizz Air, the worst airlines for delays included:

  • Turkish Airlines: 28 minutes and 36 seconds
  • Tui: 28 minutes and 24 seconds
  • Air India: 28 minutes and 12 seconds
  • Pegasus Airlines: 25 minutes and six seconds

On the other end of the spectrum, Irish carrier Emerald Airlines was the most punctual, with an average delay of just 13 minutes and six seconds. Virgin Atlantic came second with an average delay of 13 minutes and 42 seconds.

Consumer affairs expert Jane Hawkes told the BBC that these findings would "likely come as zero surprise to passengers who have endured lengthy delays on Wizz Air services." She added that research by Which? showed the airline was also lacking in customer service quality. "Irritatingly, but again not unsurprisingly, profits are soaring [at Wizz] in line with fares," she noted.

Wizz Air's UK operations serve several airports, including Aberdeen, Birmingham, Gatwick, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, and Luton. The Hungarian carrier, which operates across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, saw passenger numbers hit a record 62 million in the 12 months ending in March, a 20% increase from the previous year. Over the same period, revenue from ticket sales rose 11.2%, mirroring increases across the airline sector.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Seating area inside Dublin Airport lounge overlooking runway with international aircraft in view

Dublin Airport Broadens Global Reach for Summer 2025

Mar 29, 2025 13:43 PM
A passenger taps their card at a train station ticket barrier using contactless payment

Ticket Office Cuts Raise Travel Concerns

Mar 29, 2025 11:27 AM

Brussels Airlines Unveils Refined Inflight Dining

Mar 29, 2025 09:36 AM

Southern Italy Rail Upgrades to Disrupt Travel

Mar 29, 2025 07:41 AM
flydubai aircraft on runway with mountain backdrop

flydubai Restores Pisa Flights Ahead of Summer

Mar 29, 2025 05:29 AM
Man participating in a public protest or demonstration, facing another person in conversation

Easter Travel at Risk Amid Heathrow PRM Staff Strike

Mar 29, 2025 03:34 AM
Silhouettes of travellers waiting at an airport terminal during sunset

Edinburgh Airport Unveils Passenger-Focused Upgrades for Summer

Mar 28, 2025 23:42 PM
A quiet British railway station with footbridge and empty platforms on a cloudy day

Historic Rail Celebrations Unlock New Travel Routes Across the UK

Mar 28, 2025 20:38 PM
Tail fins of Iberia aircraft parked at Madrid-Barajas Airport on a clear day

Airline Alliance Expands Travel Options Between Spain and Argentina

Mar 28, 2025 18:24 PM

Benidorm Reinvents Itself as Eco-Friendly Holiday Destination

Mar 28, 2025 16:43 PM

Air France Adds Hotel-Style Bedding to Business Class for Long-Haul Flights

Mar 28, 2025 14:37 PM
Passengers at London King’s Cross station beside LNER and other trains under a large arched roof

LNER Opens Advance Ticket Sales for Summer 2025 Travel Across the UK

Mar 28, 2025 12:26 PM
Jet2holidays airplane flying low over a coastal road near a populated area with parked vehicles and scenic green hills

Jet2 Adds Norway Fjord Trips from Newcastle and Leeds Bradford

Mar 28, 2025 10:50 AM
Dark storm clouds forming in the sky before heavy rainfall

Polar Vortex Raises Storm Risk for UK Travelers

Mar 28, 2025 02:41 AM
easyJet aircraft parked at airport gate on a sunny day

easyJet Expands Inflight Services for Summer Travellers

Mar 28, 2025 00:39 AM

Delays Expected on Northern Italy Rail Routes

Mar 27, 2025 22:45 PM

Jet2 Opening New Travel Horizons With Expanded Winter 2025/26 Routes from Newcastle

Mar 27, 2025 20:28 PM
People walking along a historic street in central Torino at sunset

Torino Opens to Travelers as 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism

Mar 27, 2025 18:33 PM
Ryanair plane landing at sunset at Manchester Airport

Manchester Expands African Flight Options

Mar 27, 2025 16:46 PM
Young woman using smartphone at a European train station

Interrail Booking Becomes Effortless with New Digital System

Mar 27, 2025 14:29 PM
Emirates A380 aircraft taxiing at Sydney Airport during sunset

Emirates Marks 25 Years with Enhanced Sydney Travel

Mar 27, 2025 12:31 PM
A First Class train operated by Transport for Wales approaching a station through a residential area

Michelin-Level Dining on Welsh Rails

Mar 27, 2025 10:44 AM

Travel Disruptions Expected as Helsinki Airport Protest Approaches

Mar 27, 2025 08:27 AM

Heavy Fog Disrupts Transport in Southern England

Mar 27, 2025 06:32 AM
Airplane with Star Alliance livery parked at gate at the airport

Star Alliance and ÖBB Partner to Boost Train-Flight Integration

Mar 26, 2025 23:37 PM
Dark railway tunnel with visible train tracks leading to a lit station exit

Weekend Rail Works to Disrupt Derbyshire Routes

Mar 26, 2025 21:41 PM